UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to make someone not understand, to remove someone’s understanding

Semantic entry: 32.43

Semantic domains: Understand

Subdomains: Lack of Capacity for Understanding

Definition: (a causative derivative of τυφλός [source selector 000001][b] unable to understand, 32.42: τυφλός) to cause someone not to be able to understand

Sense 2: to cause to not understand, to make unable to comprehend

Semantic entry: 32.25

Semantic domains: Understand

Subdomains: Capacity for Understanding

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to blind the eyes) to cause someone to no longer have the capacity for understanding

Notes: Though in some languages there is a close relationship between the eyes and comprehension, in many languages it is simply impossible to use the idiom ‘to blind the eyes’ in speaking of ‘causing someone not to understand.’ The problem becomes particularly difficult in speaking of ‘darkness blinding the eyes’ as in RV JN1 2:11 · LV JN1 2:11 · Read together JN1 2:11. People can understand how ‘bright light would blind the eyes,’ but it would be strange indeed to think of ‘darkness’ having such an effect. In the context of RV JN1 2:11 · LV JN1 2:11 · Read together JN1 2:11, the darkness is, of course, not literal darkness but a state of sinfulness. Therefore, in some languages it may be necessary to translate ‘their sinfulness has made it impossible for them to understand’ or ‘because they sin, they cannot understand.’

Collocations: τυφλόω τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς