Eye
“Eye (from idea of flowing); also spring/fountain”
Summary
The eye in Scripture serves as both the physical organ of sight and a rich symbolic medium for expressing spiritual perception, moral character, and divine scrutiny. Hebrew and Greek use the word expansively—for fountains, colors, surfaces, emotions, and intentions—while the practice of painting eyelids was a significant cosmetic custom in the ancient Near East.
☩Physical and Metaphorical Uses
The Hebrew word 'ayin (eye) derives from the idea of 'flowing,' connecting it to 'ayin as 'fountain' or 'spring'—the eye being regarded as the fountain of tears. Beyond sight, 'eye' denotes color or appearance ('the eye of the manna was as the eye of bdellium,' Num 11:7), surface or face, and knowledge or experience (as in 'the eyes of both were opened,' Gen 3:7). The eye also represents favor ('in the eyes of'), intention, and the seat of emotion—eyes grow dim with sorrow (Job 17:7), waste away with grief (Ps 6:7; 31:9), or pour down tears (Lam 1:16).
☩Spiritual and Moral Vision
Jesus taught that 'the light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light' (Matt 6:22; Luke 11:34). A 'single' eye (Greek haplous) indicates undivided focus and generous disposition, while an 'evil eye' (poneros) suggests moral darkness, envy, or stinginess. The eye's condition determines whether one perceives truth or dwells in spiritual blindness. This teaching connects to removing 'the beam' from one's own eye before addressing 'the mote' in another's (Matt 7:3-5).
☩Blinding and Eye Painting
Ancient despots practiced the cruel custom of blinding enemies and rivals, destroying their power and beauty while rendering them unfit for warfare. Samson's eyes were gouged out by the Philistines (Judg 16:21), and Zedekiah was blinded by Nebuchadnezzar after watching his sons' execution (2 Kings 25:7; Jer 39:7). The threat to gouge out 'right eyes' represented deep humiliation (1 Sam 11:2). Conversely, the cosmetic practice of painting eyelids to make eyes appear large and lustrous was common among Eastern women. Jezebel 'painted her face' (literally 'put her eyes in paint') before meeting Jehu (2 Kings 9:30; cf. Ezek 23:40).
Related Verses568 mentions
References
- 1.Unknown source, "Eye."
- 2.Unknown source, "Eye."
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Eye," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).