Was Elimas's blindness permanent or temporary?
Elimas's blindness was temporary, not permanent. The passage says he would be blind, not seeing the sun, not forever but for a season, a short period of time. It also states he was not stricken blind for all the rest of his life but only for a season, picturing Israel's temporary blindness.
Les explains that Elimas the sorcerer was not blinded for the rest of his life, but only for a season, a short period of time. Les presents Elimas as a perfect picture of the nation of Israel as a whole. Israel has been blinded, but not with a permanent blindness; it is temporary, even though it has lasted 1,900 and some years. Someday, one day, the spiritual eyes of Israel are yet going to be opened. Les also notes that the Jews were the chief opposers of Paul's message of grace, though some did believe, and he connects this to Romans 11:7, where Israel has not obtained what it sought, but the election has obtained it.
And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
More Questions
How long was Elymas the sorcerer blind and was it physical blindness?
The blindness that fell on Elymas was physical—he could not see the sun—and it was only for a season, a protracted period of time, not for the rest of his life.