John 9:1

Blinded by Smoke

Strongs NT #5185. The word "τυφλός" (typhlós) indeed comes from the Greek verb "τύφω" (týphō), Strongs NT 5187 which means "to raise a smoke" or "to darken by smoke."

Blinded by Conceit, Puffed Up

Strongs NT 5187 τυφόω, (tuphoó) τύφω: passive, perfect τετυφωμαι; 1 aorist participle τυφωθείς; (τῦφος, smoke; pride); properly, to raise a smoke, to wrap in a mist; used only metaphorically:

1. to make proud, puff up with pride, render insolent; passive, to be puffed up with haughtiness or pride, 1 Timothy 3:6 (Strabo, Josephus, (Diogenes Laërtius, others).
2. to blind with pride or conceit, to render foolish or stupid: 1 Timothy 6:4; perfect participle beclouded, besotted, 2 Timothy 3:4 (Demosthenes, Aristotle, Polybius, Plutarch, others).

This association with smoke likely originates from the idea that smoke can obscure visibility or darken one's surroundings.

In ancient Greek, "τυφλός" is used to describe someone who is blind, lacking the sense of sight. This usage reflects the metaphorical connection between darkness or obscurity (symbolized by smoke) and the inability to see. The Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, often uses "τυφλός" to translate the Hebrew word עִוֵּר (ʿivvēr), which also means "blind."

So, "τυφλός" carries the dual connotation of being both physically blind and metaphorically darkened or obscured, which reflects its etymological roots in the concept of smoke.