intensive from עָוַר; blind (literally or figuratively); blind (men, people).
Transliteration:ʻivvêr
Pronunciation:iv-vare'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H5787}}` (ʿivvêr) is an adjective derived from the root עָוַר (ʿāwar), meaning "to be blind." The form `{{H5787}}` is an intensive adjective, emphasizing the state of being blind. Its semantic range extends across two primary dimensions:
1. **Literal Blindness:** This refers to the physical inability to see. It describes individuals who are sightless due to birth defect, disease, injury, or old age. In this sense, it denotes a significant physical impairment that often leads to dependence and vulnerability in ancient societies.
2. **Figurative Blindness:** Beyond the physical, `{{H5787}}` is powerfully employed to describe a spiritual, intellectual, or moral inability to perceive. This can manifest as a lack of discernment, a failure to understand divine truth, an unwillingness to acknowledge sin, or an inability to recognize God's work and will. This figurative usage carries profound theological weight, often serving as a critique of spiritual leaders or the nation as a whole.
The term can refer to both individual "blind persons" or collectively to "blind people" or "the blind."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H5787}}` appears numerous times throughout the Old Testament, illustrating its literal and figurative applications:
* **Protection of the Vulnerable:** The Mosaic Law frequently commands protection and justice for the physically blind, highlighting God's concern for the marginalized. For instance, [[Leviticus 19:14]] states, "You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the LORD." Similarly, [[Deuteronomy 27:18]] pronounces a curse on one who "makes the blind wander out of the way." These injunctions underscore the vulnerability of the blind and the ethical responsibility of the community.
* **Physical Affliction and Judgment:** Blindness is sometimes depicted as a consequence of divine judgment or a natural affliction. In [[2 Kings 6:18]], Elisha prays for the Aramean army to be struck with blindness, a temporary supernatural affliction. [[Deuteronomy 28:29]] warns of a curse where one will "grope at noonday, as a blind man gropes in darkness," symbolizing utter confusion and helplessness due to disobedience.
* **Disqualification:** Physical blemishes, including blindness, disqualified individuals from serving as priests or from offering certain sacrifices, as seen in [[Leviticus 21:18]] and [[Deuteronomy 15:21]]. This reflects the demand for physical perfection in ritual service, symbolizing the holiness and perfection of God.
* **Spiritual Blindness of Leaders:** Prophets frequently use `{{H5787}}` to describe the spiritual failure of Israel's leaders. [[Isaiah 56:10]] laments, "His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark." Here, spiritual leaders are condemned for their inability to discern danger or guide the people.
* **Spiritual Blindness of the Nation:** The nation of Israel itself is often depicted as spiritually blind, despite having God's revelation. [[Isaiah 43:8]] challenges, "Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears!" This is a poignant critique of Israel's failure to perceive God's mighty acts and His covenant demands.
* **Messianic Hope:** Significantly, the healing of the blind is a prominent feature of messianic prophecy. [[Isaiah 35:5]] proclaims, "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped." This prophecy points to a future era of divine restoration and miraculous intervention, a promise later fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding `{{H5787}}` is enriched by examining its connections to other biblical terms and themes:
* **Root עָוַר (ʿāwar):** The verb from which `{{H5787}}` is derived, meaning "to be blind." This verbal root underscores the state or condition of being sightless.
* **`{{H6607}}` (pishaḥ):** Often translated "lame" or "crippled," this word frequently appears alongside `{{H5787}}` (blind) in lists of physical disabilities, particularly in contexts of vulnerability or disqualification (e.g., [[2 Samuel 5:6]], [[Isaiah 35:6]]).
* **`{{H216}}` (ʾôr) and `{{H2822}}` (ḥōšek):** The concepts of "light" and "darkness" are intrinsically linked to blindness. Light represents knowledge, truth, and God's presence, while darkness symbolizes ignorance, sin, and judgment. Blindness is the inability to perceive light, whether physical or spiritual.
* **`{{H7200}}` (raʾah):** The Hebrew verb "to see" is the antonym of `{{H5787}}`. Its semantic range includes not only physical sight but also spiritual discernment, understanding, and prophetic vision. The contrast between `{{H5787}}` and `{{H7200}}` highlights the profound difference between spiritual ignorance and divine revelation.
* **`{{H995}}` (bîn):** "To understand" or "to discern." Spiritual blindness is the antithesis of this intellectual and spiritual capacity to grasp truth.
### Theological Significance
The theological implications of `{{H5787}}` are multifaceted and profound:
* **God's Compassion and Justice:** The commands to protect the physically blind ([[Leviticus 19:14]]) reveal God's deep compassion for the vulnerable and His demand for justice within the community. Conversely, the infliction of blindness as judgment ([[Deuteronomy 28:29]]) demonstrates God's righteous wrath against disobedience.
* **The Nature of Sin and Rebellion:** Spiritual blindness, as depicted by the prophets, is often a consequence of willful sin and rebellion against God. It signifies a hardened heart and an unwillingness to perceive divine truth, leading to spiritual decay and national judgment ([[Isaiah 42:19-20]]).
* **The Necessity of Divine Revelation:** The pervasive theme of spiritual blindness underscores humanity's inherent inability to comprehend God's ways or discern His will apart from His gracious revelation. It highlights the need for God to "open eyes" (e.g., [[Psalm 119:18]]).
* **Messianic Hope and Restoration:** The prophecy of the blind receiving sight ([[Isaiah 35:5]], [[Isaiah 42:7]]) is a cornerstone of messianic expectation. It signifies not merely physical healing but the dawning of a new age where spiritual darkness is dispelled, and God's people are enabled to see and understand His truth. This promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who both physically healed the blind and spiritually illuminated those in darkness.
* **The Call to Discernment:** The repeated prophetic denunciations of spiritual blindness serve as a perpetual call for individuals and communities to cultivate spiritual discernment, to listen to God's word, and to walk in His light.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H5787}}` (ʿivvêr) denotes "blindness," a state that carries both literal and profound figurative meanings in the Old Testament. Physically, it describes the sightless, emphasizing their vulnerability and God's commands for their protection, while also serving as a condition of divine judgment or ritual disqualification. More significantly, `{{H5787}}` frequently portrays spiritual or intellectual blindness—an inability or unwillingness to perceive divine truth, understand God's will, or acknowledge sin. This spiritual blindness is a recurring prophetic critique of Israel's leaders and the nation itself, highlighting their failure to discern God's ways despite His revelation. The concept of `{{H5787}}` underscores humanity's inherent spiritual darkness apart from divine grace and points powerfully to the messianic hope of restoration, where God Himself would open the eyes of the blind, both physically and spiritually, ushering in an era of true light and understanding.
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