סַנְוֵר
𐤎𐤍𐤅𐤓
çanvêr
H5575 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A condition of impaired or lost vision, specifically a sudden or divinely-caused loss of sight, often described as 'blindness,' with connotations of overwhelming brightness or dazzling that leads to sensory disorientation. The word is attested in contexts describing dramatic, supernatural loss of sight rather than ordinary congenital or physical blindness.
Semantic Range
sudden blindness, supernatural blinding, dazzling leading to blindness, condition of overwhelmed or incapacitated vision
Root / Etymology
Root uncertain. The precise derivation of סַנְוֵר is not established; some have suggested connection to roots related to 'shine' or 'dazzle,' indicating an origin from a concept of overwhelming brightness, but this remains speculative. The word does not align easily with known triliteral Hebrew roots and appears as a possible specialized or isolated term in Biblical Hebrew.
Historical & Contextual Notes
סַנְוֵר occurs only twice in the Hebrew Bible (Genesis 19:11; 2 Kings 6:18), in both cases referring to sudden, supernaturally-imposed blindness inflicted on groups who are thereby incapacitated. Distinct from more common terms for blindness (e.g., עִוָּרוֹן, 'ivaron'), סַנְוֵר denotes not a chronic or natural state but a sudden onset, typically as a result of divine intervention. In Genesis, it is the men of Sodom who are struck by this blinding condition during their assault on Lot's house; in 2 Kings, it is the Aramean soldiers. Later interpretive traditions emphasized the numinous or miraculous aspect of this malady. Standard English versions usually render the term 'blindness,' but do not always convey its striking, extraordinary character. In rabbinic and post-biblical Hebrew, it is rarely used and has not entered broader Semitic vocabulary, suggesting a uniquely biblical usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of uncertain derivation; (in plural) blindness; blindness.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
uncertain (Baleadan) — uncertain
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1002 | בִּירָה | the citadel |
| H105 | אֲגַרְטָל | bowls of |
| H1081 | בַּלְאֲדָן | Baladan |
| H1085 | בִּלְדַּד | Bildad |
| H1095 | בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר | Belteshatsar |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5575-01 |
בַּ/סַּנְוֵרִ֑ים | basaneverim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with blindness | in the dazzling blindings | with the dazzling blindings | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5575-01 |
Genesis 19:11 | בַּ/סַּנְוֵרִ֔ים | basaneverim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with blindness | in the dazzling blindings | with blindness |
H5575-01 |
2 Kings 6:18 | בַּ/סַּנְוֵרִ֑ים | basaneverim | HRd/Ncmpa |
with blindness | in the dazzling blindings | with the dazzling blindings |
H5575-01 |
2 Kings 6:18 | בַּ/סַּנְוֵרִ֖ים | basaneverim-2 | HRd/Ncmpa |
with blindness | in the dazzling blindings | with the dazzling blindings |