Dictionaries :: Eye

Eye:

(Heb. 'ain, meaning "flowing"), applied (1) to a fountain, frequently; (2) to colour (Num 11:7; R.V., "appearance," marg. "eye"); (3) the face (Exd 10:5,15; Num 22:5,11), in Num. 14:14, "face to face" (R.V. marg., "eye to eye"). "Between the eyes", i.e., the forehead (Exd 13:9,16).

The expression (Pro 23:31), "when it giveth his colour in the cup," is literally, "when it giveth out [or showeth] its eye." The beads or bubbles of wine are thus spoken of. "To set the eyes" on any one is to view him with favour (Gen 44:21; Job 24:23; Jer 39:12). This word is used figuratively in the expressions an "evil eye" (Mat 20:15), a "bountiful eye" (Pro 22:9), "haughty eyes" (6:17 marg.), "wanton eyes" (Isa 3:16), "eyes full of adultery" (2Pe 2:14), "the lust of the eyes" (1Jo 2:16). Christians are warned against "eye-service" (Eph 6:6; Col 3:22). Men were sometimes punished by having their eyes put out (1Sa 11:2; Jdg 16:21; 2Ki 25:7).

The custom of painting the eyes is alluded to in 2Ki 9:30, R.V.; Jer 4:30; Eze 23:40, a custom which still prevails extensively among Eastern women.

Eye:

i (?ayin; ophthalmos):

(1) The physical organ of sight, "the lamp of the body" (Mt 6:22), one of the chief channels of information for man. A cruel custom therefore sanctioned among heathen nations the putting out of the eyes of an enemy or a rival, because thus his power was most effectually shattered (Jud 16:21; 2Ki 25:7; Jer 39:7). Such blinding or putting out of the "right eye" was also considered a deep humiliation, as it robbed the victim of his beauty, and made him unfit to take his part in war (1Sa 11:2; Zec 11:17).

The eye, to be useful, was to be "single," i.e. not giving a double or uncertain vision (Mt 6:22; Lu 11:34). Eyes may grow dim with sorrow and tears (Job 17:7), they may "waste away with griefs" (Ps 6:7; 31:9; 88:9). They may "pour down" (La 3:49), "run down with water" (La 1:16; 3:48). Eyes may "wink" in derision (Ps 35:19; Pr 6:13; 10:10; compare also Pr 16:30; 30:17), and the harlot takes the lustling "with her eyelids" (Pr 6:25). To ?lift up the eyes' (Ge 13:10 et passim) means to look up or around for information and often for help; to ?turn away the eye' or ?hide the eyes' indicates carelessness and lack of sympathy (Pr 28:27); to ?cast about the eyes,' so that they "are in the ends of the earth" (Pr 17:24) is synonymous with the silly curiosity of a fool, and with the lack of attention of him who is everywhere but at his work. In the execution of justice the "eye shall not pity," i.e. not be deflected from the dictates of the law by favorable or unfavorable impressions (De 19:13 et passim), nor spare (Eze 5:11 et passim), and the lexicon talionis demanded "life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot" (Ex 21:24; De 19:21).

(2) Figurative: The eye of the heart or mind, the organ of spiritual perception, which may be enlightened or opened (Ps 119:18). This is done by the law of God (19:8) or by the spirit of God (Eph 1:18), or it may be "darkened" and "holden" (Lu 24:16; compare Mt 13:13; 2Co 4:4).

(3) The eye as an index of the mind and disposition of man. The Bible speaks of the "good" margin, or "bountiful" eye, i.e. the kindly, disposition (Pr 22:9); of "proud", "haughty", "lofty eyes" (Ps 18:27; 131:1; Pr 6:17); of the "lowly eyes" of the humble (Job 22:29 margin; compare also Lu 18:13); of "adulterous eyes", "eyes which play the harlot" (Eze 6:9, in the sense of idolatrous inclinations; 2Pe 2:14). Rage or anger is shown by the "sharpening" of the eyes (Job 16:9).

(4) The eyes of God, as well as the "seven eyes" of the Lamb (Re 5:6) and the ?many eyes' of the four living creatures of the Apocalypse (Re 4:6; also Eze 1:18; 10:12) are figurative expressions for the omniscience of God (compare Heb 4:13; Ps 139:16) and of His watchfulness and loving care (Jer 32:19). As the human eye may, with the slightest glance or motion, give an indication, a command, so God is able to "guide" or "counsel" His obedient child "with his eye" (Ps 32:8).

(5) Three Hebrew expressions are translated by "apple of the eye":

(a) ?ishon, literally, "the little man," which probably means the "pupil of the eye," it being the part of the eye in which the close onlooker may see his image reflected en miniature. Several oriental languages have very similar expressions (De 32:10; Ps 17:8; Pr 7:2).

(b) babhah, literally, "the gate of the eye" (Zec 2:8).

(c) bath-?ayin, literally, "the daughter of the eye" (Ps 17:8; La 2:18).

All these three phrases seem to indicate the pupil rather than the "apple of the eye," and designate the most sensitive part of the eye, which we protect with the greatest care. Thus the Scriptures declare, for our great comfort, that God will protect and care for those that are His own.

To eye (?awan, "to watch closely," "to look maliciously at"): "Saul eyed David from that day and forward" (1Sa 18:9).

Written by H. L. E. Luering

See ENVY

See EVIL EYE

Eye: Anthropomorphic Uses Of

Psa 33:18, 19; 34:15; 121:3-5; Isa 1:15; 3:8; Amo 9:8; Hab 1:13; 1Pe 3:12

For additional anthropomorphic uses of,
see ANTHROPOMORPHISMS

Eye: Figurative

Of evil desire, never satisfied,

Pro 27:20; Ecc 1:8; 1Jo 2:16.

The offending,

Mat 5:29.

Eye:

akin to opsis, "sight," probably from a root signifying "penetration, sharpness" (Curtius, Gk. Etym.) (cp. Eng., "ophthalmia," etc.). is used

(a) of the physical organ, e.g., Mat 5:38; of restoring sight, e.g., Mat 20:33; of God's power of vision, Hbr 4:13; 1Pe 3:12; of Christ in vision, Rev 1:14; 2:18; 19:12; of the Holy Spirit in the unity of Godhood with Christ, Rev 5:6;

(b) metaphorically, of ethical qualities, evil, Mat 6:23; Mar 7:22 (by metonymy, for envy); singleness of motive, Mat 6:22; Luk 11:34; as the instrument of evil desire, "the principal avenue of temptation," 1Jo 2:16; of adultery, 2Pe 2:14;

(c) metaphorically, of mental vision, Mat 13:15; Jhn 12:40; Rom 11:8; Gal 3:1, where the metaphor of the "evil eye" is altered to a different sense from that of bewitching (the posting up or placarding of an "eye" was used as a charm, to prevent mischief); by Gospel-preaching Christ had been, so to speak, placarded before their "eyes;" the question may be paraphrased, "What evil teachers have been malignly fascinating you?;" Eph 1:18, of the "eyes of the heart," as a means of knowledge.

Eye:

"sight," is used in the plural in Mat 20:34 (No. 1 is used in ver. 33); Mar 8:23 (No. 1 is used in ver. 25). The word is more poetical in usage than No. 1, and the writers may have changed the word with a view to distinguishing the simple desire of the blind man from the tender act of the Lord Himself.

Eye:

is used of the "eye" of a needle, Mar 10:25 (from trume, "a hole," truo, "to wear away"). Cp. trema, "a hole, perforation," Mat 19:24 (some texts have trupema, "a hole," from trupao, "to bore a hole"); Luk 18:25, as in the most authentic mss. (some texts have trumalia here).

Eye:

(The practice of painting the eyelids to make the eyes look large, lustrous and languishing is often alluded to in the Old Testament, and still extensively prevails among the women of the East, and especially among the Mohammedans. Jezebel, in 2 Kings 9:30, is said to have prepared for her meeting with Jehu by painting her face, or, as it reads in the margin, "put her eyes in paint." See also (Ezekiel 23:40). A small probe of wood, ivory or silver is wet with rose‐water and dipped in an impalpable black powder, and is then drawn between the lids of the eye nearly closed, and leaves a narrow black border, which is thought a great ornament.-ED.)