The term "blindeth" is an archaic form of the verb "to blind," meaning to cause someone to be unable to see, either physically or spiritually. In the context of the Bible, "blindeth" often refers to spiritual blindness, a condition where individuals are unable to perceive or understand spiritual truths. This concept is frequently addressed in Scripture, highlighting the contrast between those who see with spiritual insight and those who are blinded by sin or unbelief.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Corinthians 4:4 : "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." This verse illustrates the spiritual blindness inflicted by Satan, preventing unbelievers from recognizing the truth of the Gospel. The "god of this age" refers to Satan, who actively works to obscure the truth and keep people in darkness.

2. John 12:40 : "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them." This passage, quoting Isaiah, speaks to the judicial hardening and blinding that God allows as a consequence of persistent unbelief. It underscores the seriousness of rejecting divine revelation and the resulting spiritual blindness.

3. Romans 11:7-8 : "What then? What Israel was seeking, it failed to obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, as it is written: 'God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day.'" Here, Paul discusses the partial hardening of Israel, where spiritual blindness is a result of their rejection of Christ. This blindness serves a purpose in God's redemptive plan, allowing the Gentiles to receive the Gospel.

Theological Implications:

The concept of being "blinded" in the Bible often carries a dual implication of both human responsibility and divine sovereignty. On one hand, individuals are accountable for their rejection of God's truth, which leads to spiritual blindness. On the other hand, Scripture also reveals that God, in His sovereignty, may allow or even cause blindness as a form of judgment or as part of His greater redemptive plan.

Spiritual Blindness vs. Physical Blindness:

While physical blindness is a literal inability to see, spiritual blindness is metaphorical, representing a lack of understanding or acceptance of spiritual truths. Jesus often healed the physically blind, which served as a sign of His messianic identity and His power to also heal spiritual blindness. For instance, in John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind, illustrating that He is the "light of the world" (John 9:5) and emphasizing the need for spiritual sight.

Application for Believers:

Believers are called to be vigilant against spiritual blindness by remaining rooted in Scripture and prayer. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in illuminating the truth of God's Word, enabling believers to see and understand spiritual realities. Christians are also encouraged to share the Gospel, helping to open the eyes of those who are spiritually blind, as they are called to be "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14).

In summary, "blindeth" in the biblical context serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual battle between light and darkness, truth and deception, and the necessity of divine intervention for true spiritual sight.

The Testament of Dan Concerning Anger and Lying.
... For the spirit of anger encompasseth him with the nets of deceit, and blindeth his
natural eyes, and through lying darkeneth his mind, and giveth him a sight ...
/.../the testaments of the twelve patriarchs/vii the testament of dan concerning.htm

The Transition from the Institutes of the Monks to the Struggle ...
... The Persone's Tale," where it is thus described: "After the sinne of wrath, now
wol I speke of the sinne of accidie or slouth: for envie blindeth the herte of ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter i the transition from.htm

God's Glory in Hiding Sin
... being so exceedingly unveiled. The glory itself blindeth, for the finite
mind of man is not able to gaze thereon. Yet the truth ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/gods glory in hiding sin.htm

2 Cor. Ii. 12, 13
... Whether, saith he, one be saved or be lost, the Gospel continues to have its proper
virtue: and as the light, although it blindeth the weakly, is still light ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily v 2 cor ii.htm

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and ...
... applause, or what of that kind, that may be like "the fear of man that bringeth
a snare," Proverbs 29:25; for that will be like a gift that blindeth the eyes ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xvi how to make.htm

Colossians ii. 16-19
... as the dust when it is raised occupies a large portion of the air, though itself
be but a small body, so too doth power; and like as the dust blindeth the eyes ...
/.../homily vii colossians ii 16-19.htm

The Life of John Campbel Earl of Loudon.
... To account some way for this,"He had before received a promise of a gift of the
teinds, and a gift sometimes blindeth the eyes, and much more of a nobleman ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of john campbel.htm

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on ...
... It is not the rising of the Sun of righteousness, shining into the soul, that hath
cleared them, but their perpetual darkness that blindeth them. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xii thou shall keep.htm

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... righteousness! (1.) It curseth and condemneth the righteousness of Christ.
(2.) It blindeth the man from seeing his misery. (3.) It ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

Blindeth (2 Occurrences)
...Blindeth (2 Occurrences). Exodus 23:8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift
blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. ...
/b/blindeth.htm - 7k

Perverteth (7 Occurrences)
... Exodus 23:8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and
perverteth the words of the righteous. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/p/perverteth.htm - 8k

Blinded (15 Occurrences)

/b/blinded.htm - 11k

Judicial (2 Occurrences)
... According to the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 23:8) `a bribe blindeth the eyes of
the open-eyed.' This descriptive phrase indicates a prolific cause of the ...
/j/judicial.htm - 25k

Distort (8 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 16:19 Thou dost not turn aside judgment; thou dost not discern faces,
nor take a bribe, for the bribe blindeth the eyes of the wise, and perverteth ...
/d/distort.htm - 9k

Blindfold (1 Occurrence)

/b/blindfold.htm - 7k

Discern (49 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 16:19 Thou dost not turn aside judgment; thou dost not discern faces,
nor take a bribe, for the bribe blindeth the eyes of the wise, and perverteth ...
/d/discern.htm - 22k

Blindness (7 Occurrences)
... According to the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 23:8) `a bribe blindeth the eyes of
the open-eyed.' This descriptive phrase indicates a prolific cause of the ...
/b/blindness.htm - 19k

Faces (158 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 16:19 Thou dost not turn aside judgment; thou dost not discern faces,
nor take a bribe, for the bribe blindeth the eyes of the wise, and perverteth ...
/f/faces.htm - 37k

Gift (148 Occurrences)
... (Root in YLT). Exodus 23:8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the
wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. (KJV JPS WBS). ...
/g/gift.htm - 59k

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