and (feminine) עַוֶּרֶת; from עִוֵּר; blindness; blind(-ness).
Transliteration:ʻivvârôwn
Pronunciation:iv-vaw-rone'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun עִוָּרוֹן (ʻivvârôwn, `{{H5788}}`) derives from the root עִוֵּר (ʻivvēr, `{{H5787}}`), which means "to be blind" or "to make blind." As a noun, ʻivvârôwn specifically denotes the *state* or *condition* of blindness. Its primary semantic range is limited to the literal, physical inability to see. Unlike some other terms for "blindness" in the biblical text, ʻivvârôwn does not inherently carry a metaphorical sense of spiritual or intellectual dullness in its direct occurrences, though it contributes to the broader biblical concept of sight and perception.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ʻivvârôwn appears in the Hebrew Bible in only two distinct passages, both of which portray it as a direct, physical affliction, often divinely imposed:
1. **Deuteronomy 28:28**: "The LORD will strike you with madness, with blindness, and with confusion of mind." This verse is part of the extensive list of curses pronounced upon Israel for disobedience to the covenant. Here, ʻivvârôwn is presented as one of three severe cognitive and sensory impairments—madness (שִׁגָּעוֹן, `{{H7697}}`), blindness, and confusion of mind (תִּמְהוֹן לֵבָב, `{{H8549}}`). The collective effect is a complete disorientation and incapacitation, rendering the afflicted unable to function rationally or perceive their surroundings, thereby highlighting the severe consequences of rebellion against God. It is a judgment that attacks the very faculties of understanding and navigation.
2. **Zechariah 12:4**: "In that day, declares the LORD, I will strike every horse with panic, and its rider with madness. But on the house of Judah I will open my eyes, and every horse of the peoples I will strike with blindness." This prophetic passage describes a future eschatological battle where Jerusalem is besieged. God intervenes supernaturally to protect Judah by striking the enemy's horses with ʻivvârôwn (blindness) and panic (תִּמָּהוֹן, `{{H8539}}`), and their riders with madness (שִׁגָּעוֹן, `{{H7697}}`). Similar to Deuteronomy, blindness here is a strategic, divinely orchestrated incapacitation, rendering the enemy's military strength (represented by horses) useless. It is an act of divine judgment and protection for His people.
In both contexts, ʻivvârôwn signifies a profound physical disability imposed by God, serving as a tangible manifestation of divine judgment or strategic intervention.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root from which ʻivvârôwn is derived: עִוֵּר (ʻivvēr, `{{H5787}}`), which means "to be blind" (as an adjective) or "to make blind" (as a verb). This root is more widely used and can sometimes carry a metaphorical sense of spiritual blindness, particularly in prophetic literature (e.g., [[Isaiah 42:19]]).
Other related concepts include:
* **Sight and Perception:** The opposite of ʻivvârôwn is the ability to see (רָאָה, rāʼāh, `{{H7200}}`), which in the biblical worldview is often linked to understanding, wisdom, and discernment.
* **Divine Judgment:** Blindness, along with other physical ailments (e.g., plagues, madness, confusion), frequently serves as a tool of divine judgment in the Old Testament (e.g., the Philistines in [[1 Samuel 5:6]], the Sodomites in [[Genesis 19:11]]).
* **Spiritual Blindness:** While ʻivvârôwn itself is literal, the broader biblical narrative often employs the concept of blindness metaphorically to describe a spiritual inability to perceive God's truth, His will, or His presence (e.g., [[Isaiah 6:10]], [[Matthew 13:13]], [[John 9:39-41]]). This metaphorical usage is deeply rooted in the physical reality of sight and its absence.
* **Healing and Restoration:** The restoration of sight, particularly in the New Testament accounts of Jesus' miracles, highlights the severity of blindness as an affliction and underscores the divine power to overcome it, often symbolizing spiritual enlightenment.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ʻivvârôwn revolves around several key themes:
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Human Faculties:** The occurrences of ʻivvârôwn unequivocally demonstrate God's absolute sovereignty over human physical and mental faculties. He is the one who grants sight and understanding, and He can, by His will, remove them. This underscores His ultimate control over all aspects of creation and human existence.
2. **Consequence of Disobedience:** In Deuteronomy 28, ʻivvârôwn functions as a severe consequence for covenant infidelity. It is a tangible and debilitating punishment that directly impacts the ability to navigate and comprehend the world, symbolizing the spiritual confusion that arises from turning away from God's light and truth. It is a stark reminder that disobedience has real, often devastating, repercussions.
3. **Incapacitation of Enemies:** In Zechariah 12, ʻivvârôwn is portrayed as a strategic weapon in God's arsenal against the enemies of His people. By striking the horses and riders with blindness and madness, God renders them powerless, ensuring the protection and ultimate triumph of Judah. This illustrates God's active involvement in history, intervening supernaturally to fulfill His purposes and defend His chosen ones.
4. **Foundation for Metaphorical Understanding:** Although ʻivvârôwn itself is literal, its usage lays a crucial foundation for the broader biblical theological concept of spiritual blindness. The physical inability to see becomes a powerful analogy for the spiritual inability to perceive God, His truth, or His saving work. This physical judgment foreshadows the spiritual darkness that envelops those who reject divine revelation.
### Summary
ʻIvâârôwn (`{{H5788}}`) is a Hebrew noun meaning "blindness," referring specifically to a literal, physical lack of sight. Its rare occurrences in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 28:28, Zechariah 12:4) consistently depict it as a direct, divinely imposed affliction. In Deuteronomy, it is a severe judgment for covenant disobedience, leading to profound disorientation. In Zechariah, it serves as a strategic act of divine intervention, incapacitating the enemies of God's people. Theologically, ʻivvârôwn underscores God's absolute sovereignty over human faculties, His use of physical affliction as a consequence of sin or a tool of war, and lays a foundational understanding for the broader biblical motif of spiritual blindness—the inability to perceive divine truth.
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