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עִוָּרוֹן

𐤏𐤅𐤓𐤅𐤍

ʻivvârôwn

H5788 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עור to be blind, to make blind, to deprive of sight

Definition

A condition of blindness, referring to the loss or absence of sight, whether physical, figurative, or induced as a sign or judgment. Used to denote both literal physical blindness and a metaphorical state of spiritual or intellectual unawareness.

Semantic Range

physical blindness, imposed or supernatural blindness, metaphorical/spiritual blindness, intellectual blindness, condition of lacking perception

Root / Etymology

From the root עִוֵּר (ʿ-w-r), meaning 'to be blind' or 'to make blind.' The nominal form עִוָּרוֹן (ʿivvaron) denotes the state or condition of being blind. The feminine form עַוֶּרֶת (ʿaveret) carries the same meaning, though less commonly used.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, עִוָּרוֹן most often refers to a condition resulting from divine judgment or supernatural intervention (e.g., Genesis 19:11; Deuteronomy 28:28; 2 Kings 6:18), where blindness is inflicted as an act of power. It can also refer to natural physical blindness (Leviticus 21:18), but is more commonly used for an imposed or symbolic loss of sight. In figurative contexts, it describes a state of moral, spiritual, or intellectual incapacity, paralleling physical blindness (see Isaiah 29:10). Standard English translations ('blindness') generally capture the core meaning but may not reflect the distinction between imposed, natural, or metaphorical senses found in the Hebrew context. Later Jewish traditions, as well as Greek and Latin translations (LXX: τυφλωσις; Vulgate: caecitas), also adopt the term for both literal and figurative blindness. Contrasts with related terms such as סַמָּאוֹן (samāʾon), a rare and more poetic word for blindness. The noun form is found only in post-pentateuchal literature, pointing to a relatively late development of the abstract noun; in earlier texts, only the verb or participle forms are present.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

and (feminine) עַוֶּרֶת; from עִוֵּר; blindness; blind(-ness).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עור (ʿ-w-r) — to be blind, to make blind, to deprive of sight

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H216 אוֹר in the skin
H219 אוֹרָה skins of
H4589 מָעוֹר their exposed genitals
H5782 עוּר Let me rouse up
H5783 עוּר she will be roused

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5788-02 בַּֽ/עִוָּרֽוֹן baivaron HRd/Ncmsa with blindness in the blindness 1
H5788-01 עַוֶּרֶת֩ averet HNcfsa blind blindness 1
H5788-03 וּ/בְ/עִוָּר֑וֹן uveivaron HC/R/Ncmsa and with blindness and in blindness 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5788-01 Leviticus 22:22 עַוֶּרֶת֩ averet HNcfsa blind blindness
H5788-03 Deuteronomy 28:28 וּ/בְ/עִוָּר֑וֹן uveivaron HC/R/Ncmsa and with blindness and in blindness
H5788-02 Zechariah 12:4 בַּֽ/עִוָּרֽוֹן baivaron HRd/Ncmsa with blindness in the blindness
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