of uncertain derivation; (in plural) blindness; blindness.
Transliteration:çanvêr
Pronunciation:san-vare'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma H5575 (סַנְוֵר, transliterated as *çanvêr*) is a noun denoting "blindness." Its derivation is noted as uncertain, suggesting it may be a unique or less common root in the Hebrew lexicon. Significantly, H5575 appears in the plural form in its biblical occurrences, which may emphasize the totality, pervasiveness, or suddenness of the affliction. Unlike general terms for physical sight impairment, the specific contexts in which H5575 is used strongly suggest a *supernatural* or *divinely imposed* form of blindness, rather than a natural or congenital condition. It describes a state of complete visual incapacitation, often accompanied by disorientation, inflicted by divine power.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H5575 appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times describing a miraculous, divinely orchestrated blindness:
1. **[[Genesis 19:11]]**: "And they struck the men who were at the entrance of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves to find the door."
In this foundational account, the angelic visitors to Lot's house in Sodom inflict H5575 upon the wicked men of the city who sought to assault them and Lot. This blindness is sudden, immediate, and comprehensive, affecting all the men from "small to great." Its purpose is multifaceted: it serves as a protective measure for Lot and the angels, preventing the men from carrying out their evil intent, and simultaneously acts as a preliminary judgment, incapacitating them and demonstrating divine power before the city's ultimate destruction. The phrase "they wearied themselves to find the door" vividly portrays the disorienting and frustrating effect of this supernatural affliction.
2. **[[2 Kings 6:18]]**: "And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, 'Please strike this people with blindness.' So he struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha."
Here, the prophet Elisha prays for the Aramean army, who have surrounded him, to be struck with H5575. Similar to the Genesis account, this is a miraculous, divinely imposed blindness. However, its purpose differs. It is not primarily for destruction but for strategic incapacitation and divine misdirection. The blinded army is then led by Elisha to Samaria, where their eyes are opened, and they are given food and released. This demonstrates God's protection of His prophet and His people, showcasing His ability to confound enemies without necessarily annihilating them, thereby illustrating divine mercy even amidst judgment.
In both contexts, H5575 signifies a temporary, divinely-imposed blindness that serves a specific, immediate purpose within God's redemptive and judicial plans. It is a powerful display of God's direct intervention in human affairs.
### Related Words & Concepts
While H5575 is unique in its specific application, it relates to broader biblical themes and other words concerning sight and its absence:
* **General Blindness (Physical):** The most common Hebrew word for "blind" or "blindness" is H5786 (ʿiwwēr), which refers to a natural physical disability (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 27:18]], [[Isaiah 42:18]]). This contrasts sharply with H5575, which is explicitly supernatural.
* **Figurative Blindness:** Other terms, like H3283 (yaʿaṣ), can imply a state of being blind, often in a figurative sense of moral or spiritual inability to discern (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 28:29]]).
* **Divine Hardening/Closing Eyes:** The concept of God "hardening" hearts or "closing eyes" (e.g., [[Isaiah 6:10]]; cf. [[John 12:40]], [[Romans 11:8]]) shares a theological affinity with H5575. While not using the same word, these passages describe a divinely orchestrated inability to perceive or respond, often as a form of judgment or to fulfill a divine purpose.
* **Miraculous Interventions:** H5575 belongs to the category of miraculous divine interventions that alter natural human capabilities, akin to the plagues in Egypt or other instances where God directly manipulates physical reality to achieve His will.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H5575 is profound, despite its rare occurrence:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Power:** H5575 is a stark demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty over human faculties and the created order. This blindness is not a natural affliction but an instantaneous, direct act of God, underscoring His omnipotence and His capacity to intervene supernaturally to achieve His purposes.
* **Purposeful Affliction:** Unlike natural suffering, the blindness described by H5575 is always purposeful. In [[Genesis 19:11]], it serves as both a protective shield for the righteous and a preliminary judgment on the wicked. In [[2 Kings 6:18]], it is a strategic tool for protection and deliverance, demonstrating God's care for His people and His ability to confound enemies without resorting to immediate destruction. It illustrates that God's actions, even those involving affliction, are always intentional and serve His overarching plan.
* **Revelation of God's Character:** The use of H5575 reveals aspects of God's character: His justice (in Sodom), His mercy (in sparing the Arameans after their capture), His protective care for His chosen ones, and His wisdom in employing unique means to achieve His ends.
* **Physical Manifestation of Spiritual Realities:** While H5575 describes physical blindness, its supernatural imposition invites reflection on the concept of spiritual blindness. Just as God can physically blind those who oppose His will or threaten His people, the Bible also speaks of a spiritual blindness (e.g., [[2 Corinthians 4:4]]) where individuals are unable to perceive divine truth due to sin, unbelief, or even divine judgment. H5575 serves as a powerful physical metaphor for the spiritual inability to see and understand God's ways.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H5575 (סַנְוֵר, *çanvêr*) denotes a unique form of "blindness" that is exclusively a direct, supernatural intervention by God. Occurring only twice in the Old Testament, in [[Genesis 19:11]] and [[2 Kings 6:18]], it signifies a sudden, divinely imposed incapacitation of sight. In both contexts, this H5575 serves as a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and power, acting either as a protective measure for His servants and a preliminary judgment against the wicked (as in Sodom), or as a strategic means to confound enemies and secure His people (as with the Aramean army). Unlike common terms for natural blindness (e.g., H5786), H5575 highlights a miraculous, purposeful affliction. Theologically, it underscores God's absolute power to control human perception for His redemptive and judicial purposes, offering a physical manifestation that resonates with the broader biblical theme of spiritual blindness and divine revelation.
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