The Hebrew word chêrêsh, represented by H2795, refers to someone who is deaf. It appears 9 times in 9 unique verses. This term is applied both literally to physical deafness and spiritually to a person's inability or unwillingness to hear or respond to God.
In Scripture, H2795 is frequently used to describe a state of physical impairment, often appearing alongside terms for being blind H5787 or dumb H483 (Exodus 4:11, Psalms 38:13). The Law specifically protects the deaf from being cursed, highlighting a standard of care for the vulnerable Leviticus 19:14. The word also serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual unresponsiveness. God's people are described as a deaf people who have ears but do not hear Isaiah 43:8, and His own messenger is called deaf to illustrate a point Isaiah 42:19. The wicked are compared to a deaf adder that intentionally stops its ear Psalms 58:4.
Several related words provide a fuller context for the concept of deafness:
- H5787 ʻivvêr (blind): This term is consistently paired with deaf, representing a parallel sensory affliction. God's sovereignty extends over both the blind and the deaf Exodus 4:11, and His future restoration promises healing for both (Isaiah 29:18, Isaiah 35:5).
- H241 ʼôzen (ear): This word for the physical ear is directly connected to the state of being deaf. Prophecies of restoration speak of the ears of the deaf being unstopped Isaiah 35:5, and Isaiah describes a spiritually deaf people who nevertheless have ears Isaiah 43:8.
- H8085 shâmaʻ (to hear): This verb represents the action that a deaf person cannot perform. The promise that the deaf will one day hear God's words is a central theme of hope Isaiah 29:18.
- H483 ʼillêm (dumb): Often appearing with deaf, this describes the inability to speak. The psalmist portrays himself as both deaf and dumb Psalms 38:13, and God's power is shown in His making of the dumb and the deaf Exodus 4:11.
The theological significance of H2795 is evident in several key themes:
- God's Sovereignty: In a foundational statement, God reveals that He is the one who makes a person deaf, dumb, or seeing, asserting His ultimate authority over human ability and disability Exodus 4:11.
- Spiritual Unresponsiveness: Deafness is a primary metaphor for Israel's failure to listen to God. They are called a deaf people with ears Isaiah 43:8 and are commanded to hear Isaiah 42:18, indicating a willful spiritual condition.
- Prophetic Restoration: The prophets, particularly Isaiah, use the healing of the deaf as a sign of God's coming redemption. In a future day of salvation, the ears of the deaf will be unstopped to hear the words of God's book (Isaiah 29:18, Isaiah 35:5).
In summary, H2795 chêrêsh transcends its literal definition of a physical condition. While it denotes a person who cannot hear and is protected by the Law, it is more often used as a profound theological symbol. It illustrates God's sovereignty, represents humanity's spiritual inability to hear God, and serves as a powerful image of the miraculous restoration promised in a messianic age when all will be enabled to hear and respond to the divine word.
TRV