Half-blind
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The term "half-blind" does not appear explicitly in the Bible; however, the concept of partial blindness or impaired vision can be explored through various scriptural references and narratives. In biblical literature, physical blindness often serves as a metaphor for spiritual blindness or lack of understanding.

Physical Blindness in Scripture

Physical blindness is a condition frequently mentioned in the Bible, often highlighting the need for divine intervention and healing. In the New Testament, Jesus performs several miracles restoring sight to the blind, demonstrating His compassion and divine authority. For instance, in Mark 8:22-25 , Jesus heals a blind man at Bethsaida in a two-step process, which could be seen as a form of "half-blindness" before full restoration:

> "They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then He spit on the man’s eyes and placed His hands on him. 'Can you see anything?' He asked. The man looked up and said, 'I can see the people, but they look like trees walking around.' Once again Jesus placed His hands on the man’s eyes, and when he opened them his sight was restored, and he could see everything clearly."

This passage illustrates a momentary state of partial vision, which is corrected through the continued touch of Jesus, symbolizing the progressive nature of spiritual enlightenment and understanding.

Spiritual Blindness

The Bible often uses blindness as a metaphor for spiritual ignorance or the inability to perceive divine truth. In John 9:39-41 , Jesus speaks about spiritual blindness in the context of healing a man born blind:

> "Then Jesus declared, 'For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind may see and those who see may become blind.' Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, 'Are we blind too?' Jesus replied, 'If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.'"

Here, Jesus contrasts physical sight with spiritual insight, suggesting that those who acknowledge their blindness are more open to receiving truth, while those who claim to see may remain in spiritual darkness.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the concept of being "half-blind" can be understood as a state of partial spiritual awareness. Believers may experience moments of clarity and insight, yet still struggle with areas of misunderstanding or sin. The journey of faith involves moving from partial to full understanding, akin to the blind man's gradual healing in Mark 8.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the theme of partial understanding in 1 Corinthians 13:12 :

> "For now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

This passage acknowledges the limitations of human understanding in the present age, with the promise of complete knowledge in the future. It encourages believers to seek continual growth in their spiritual journey, trusting in God's ultimate revelation.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the notion of being "half-blind" serves as a reminder for Christians to remain humble and open to God's guidance. It encourages self-examination and reliance on the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment. Believers are called to support one another in their spiritual growth, recognizing that all are on a journey toward greater understanding and clarity in their walk with God.
Library

The Child Prophet
... The darkest hour is that before the dawn; and that silent sanctuary, with the
slumbering old half-blind priest and the expiring lamp, may stand for an emblem ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the child prophet.htm

"For they that are after the Flesh do Mind,"
... He that ought to look beyond time as far as eternity, and hath an immortal spirit
given for that end, is now half blind, the eye of the mind is so overclouded ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xviii for they that.htm

An Open Life of Purity.
... And He will be spelled out so big and plain that the man hurriedly running, or lazily
creeping, or half blind in a cloud of dust, will be stopping and reading. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/an open life of purity.htm

No one ever Afterwards Quite Knew How the Crowd in the Church ...
... knew how she had loved him,"no one guessed what agonies of pain and shame she had
endured for his sake, nor how she had wept herself half blind with despair ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xiv no one ever afterwards.htm

The Story of a Divine Tragedy
... He told me! And the one in Ephesus, a red-beard, hunchbacked and half-blind and
even more terrible than the first! He saw Him after He was dead!". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter x the story of.htm

Christian Cemeteries.
... They put out the right eyes of the confessors, cut the tendon of their left legs,
and then sent them to the mines, lame, half blind, half starved, and flogged ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter vii christian cemeteries.htm

Thesaurus
Half-blind (1 Occurrence)
Half-blind. Half-an-hour, Half-blind. Half-curtain . Multi-Version
Concordance Half-blind (1 Occurrence). Mark 9:47 ...
/h/half-blind.htm - 6k

Tear (97 Occurrences)
... It would be better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God half-blind than remain
in possession of two eyes and be thrown into Gehenna, (WEY). ...
/t/tear.htm - 37k

Possession (251 Occurrences)
... It would be better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God half-blind than remain
in possession of two eyes and be thrown into Gehenna, (WEY). ...
/p/possession.htm - 41k

Thrown (126 Occurrences)
... It would be better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God half-blind than remain
in possession of two eyes and be thrown into Gehenna, (WEY RSV NIV). ...
/t/thrown.htm - 37k

Throw (135 Occurrences)
... It would be better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God half-blind than remain
in possession of two eyes and be thrown into Gehenna, (Root in WEY NAS RSV ...
/t/throw.htm - 38k

Half-an-hour (1 Occurrence)
Half-an-hour. Half-acre, Half-an-hour. Half-blind . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Half-acre, Half-an-hour. Half-blind . Reference Bible.
/h/half-an-hour.htm - 6k

Half-curtain (1 Occurrence)
Half-curtain. Half-blind, Half-curtain. Half-dead . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Half-blind, Half-curtain. Half-dead . Reference Bible.
/h/half-curtain.htm - 6k

Sin (782 Occurrences)
... It would be better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God half-blind than remain
in possession of two eyes and be thrown into Gehenna, (WEY WBS RSV NIV). ...
/s/sin.htm - 82k

Resources
I am an atheist. Why should I consider becoming a Christian? | GotQuestions.org

Why do Daniel and Revelation give varying counts of 1,260, 1,290, and 1,335 days for the tribulation? | GotQuestions.org

What is apostasy and how can I recognize it? | GotQuestions.org

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