The Hebrew word çanvêr, represented by H5575, is a term for blindness. Its derivation is uncertain, but in scripture it appears 3 times across 2 unique verses, always in the plural form to describe a state of blindness.
The use of H5575 in the biblical narrative is specific and dramatic, occurring only as a result of direct divine intervention. In Genesis, the men H582 who threatened the house were smitten with blindness H5575 to neutralize their wicked intentions Genesis 19:11. Similarly, in 2 Kings, the prophet Elisha prayed to the LORD H3068 to smite an opposing people with blindness H5575, and God did so according to his word 2 Kings 6:18. In both cases, the blindness is a supernatural act to thwart an enemy.
Several related words are key to understanding the context in which H5575 appears:
- H5221 nâkâh (to strike): This action is directly paired with blindness in both occurrences. It describes the divine act of inflicting this condition, to smite a person or people (Genesis 19:11, 2 Kings 6:18).
- H6419 pâlal (to pray): This is the catalyst for the miracle in the 2 Kings account. Elisha prayed to God, requesting that the enemy be struck with blindness, demonstrating a direct link between intercession and divine action 2 Kings 6:18.
- H582 ʼĕnôwsh (a man): This word identifies the recipients of the divine judgment in Genesis as mortal men acting with hostility Genesis 19:11.
- H1471 gôwy (a foreign nation): This term broadens the scope of the miracle in 2 Kings, where Elisha asks God to smite an entire people or nation, not just a few individuals 2 Kings 6:18.
The theological significance of H5575 is concentrated in its use as a divine tool.
- Divine Intervention: Blindness, in these contexts, is never a natural ailment. It is a targeted, supernatural event initiated by God to protect His people or enact His will, as when the hostile men were struck Genesis 19:11.
- Judgment and Control: The act of inflicting blindness serves as a form of divine judgment and control. It incapacitates enemies without necessarily destroying them, showcasing God's power to neutralize threats decisively.
- Power of Prophetic Prayer: The account of Elisha demonstrates that prayer can be a means to invoke God's power against adversaries. His request for God to smite the nation H1471 with blindness is immediately fulfilled 2 Kings 6:18.
In summary, çanvêr H5575 is a specific and potent term for a supernaturally induced blindness. Although rare, its appearances are pivotal, illustrating God's power to intervene directly in human affairs. It is consistently portrayed as an act of being "smitten," used to disarm opponents and fulfill the divine purpose, whether against a mob of men or an entire nation.
TRV