עִוָּרוֹן (iv.va.ron)
iv.va.ron
blindness
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun ‘iwwarôn, spelled with an initial ayin and a vav, denotes blindness. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, primarily in legal texts concerning sacrifices. In Leviticus 22:22, it describes the physical defect that disqualifies an animal from being offered to God. The word functions as an abstract term for the condition itself, though it refers concretely to the state of lacking sight.
Lexical sources note that this spelling is a variant of ‘awweret (H5788B), another Hebrew word for blindness. While both terms mean the same thing, ‘iwwarôn is rare and restricted to specific contexts. Its presence in Leviticus highlights the ancient Israelite concern for physical wholeness in worship. The text uses the term to specify that animals with this defect are unacceptable, emphasizing the value placed on unblemished offerings.
Translators render ‘iwwarôn simply as "blindness." The word carries no metaphorical weight in these verses; it describes a literal physical condition. Its rarity makes each occurrence significant, anchoring the concept of blindness in the concrete reality of ritual law rather than abstract theology. The term reminds readers that physical imperfections had tangible consequences in ancient Israelite religious practice.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for blindness in this context appears rarely in Scripture, specifically within laws regarding animal sacrifices. It describes a physical defect that disqualified an animal from being offered to God. This focus on wholeness highlights how ancient Israel valued integrity in their worship practices.
While the term is literal here, it reminds us that God cares about details. The requirement for unblemished animals points to a deeper desire for purity and completeness in our relationship with Him. It shows that nothing less than wholehearted devotion is acceptable.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with <the>/ blindness1×
- blindness1×
- and/ with/ blindness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עַוֶּרֶת֩1×
- וּ/בְ/עִוָּר֑וֹן1×
- בַּֽ/עִוָּרֽוֹן\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 22:22
You shall not offer what is blind, is injured, is maimed, has a wart, is festering, or has a running sore to Yahweh, nor make an offering by fire of them on the altar to Yahweh.
This verse uses the word to specify a physical defect that disqualifies an animal from sacrifice, emphasizing the need for unblemished offerings.
-
Deuteronomy 28:28
Yahweh will strike you with madness, with blindness, and with astonishment of heart.
Here the term appears in a list of curses, showing blindness as a consequence of disobedience rather than a ritual issue.
-
Zechariah 12:4
In that day,” says Yahweh, “I will strike every horse with terror and his rider with madness. I will open my eyes on the house of Judah, and will strike every horse of the peoples with blindness.
In this prophetic vision, God strikes enemy horses with blindness to demonstrate His protection over Judah.