Definition and Meaning:
Ayin (עַיִן) is a Hebrew term that holds multiple meanings within the biblical context. Primarily, it is known as the sixteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In its literal sense, "ayin" means "eye" or "spring/fountain," and it is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament to denote both physical and metaphorical concepts.

Biblical References:

1. Ayin as "Eye":
· The term "ayin" is frequently used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to the human eye, often symbolizing perception, insight, or divine observation. For instance, in Proverbs 15:3 , it is written, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good." Here, "eyes" metaphorically represent God's omniscience and His ability to see all actions and intentions.

2. Ayin as "Spring" or "Fountain":
· Ayin is also used to describe a natural water source, such as a spring or fountain. This usage is evident in Genesis 16:7 , where it states, "Now the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the desert—the spring along the road to Shur." In this context, "spring" is translated from "ayin," indicating a life-sustaining water source in the arid landscape.

3. Symbolic and Metaphorical Uses:
· The concept of "ayin" extends beyond its literal meanings to encompass symbolic and metaphorical interpretations. For example, in Psalm 119:18 , the psalmist prays, "Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law." Here, "eyes" symbolize spiritual enlightenment and understanding of God's Word.

4. Ayin in the Hebrew Alphabet:
· As the sixteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Ayin has a numerical value of 70. In the acrostic structure of Psalm 119, each section corresponds to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and verses 121-128 begin with Ayin. This section emphasizes justice and righteousness, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the term.

Theological Significance:

· Divine Omniscience: The use of "ayin" to denote God's eyes underscores His all-seeing nature, a central tenet in understanding God's relationship with humanity. This concept reassures believers of God's constant presence and His awareness of human affairs.

· Spiritual Insight: The metaphorical use of "ayin" as spiritual sight highlights the importance of divine revelation and understanding. It encourages believers to seek God's wisdom and guidance in their lives.

· Life and Sustenance: As a term for springs or fountains, "ayin" represents God's provision and sustenance, both physically and spiritually. It serves as a reminder of God's care and the life-giving nature of His creation.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, eyes were often associated with knowledge and power. The biblical use of "ayin" reflects these cultural understandings, emphasizing the importance of sight in both physical and spiritual realms. Springs and fountains were vital for survival in the arid regions of the biblical world, making "ayin" a powerful symbol of life and sustenance.

Overall, Ayin is a multifaceted term that enriches the biblical narrative through its diverse applications, from the literal to the symbolic, and underscores key theological themes within the Scriptures.AYIN

a'-yen: `ayin, "eye" or "fountain": The 16th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, so named, probably, because the original form resembled the eye. `Ayin (`) is usually neglected in pronunciation, and inverted comma (`) is the sign most commonly employed to represent it in transliteration.

The same sound is found in the Arabic and other Semitic languages. The Arabs have two pronunciations, one a very strong guttural formed at the back of the palate, something like a rattled "r" or "rg," the other similar in quality, only less harsh and guttural. The Septuagint reproduced the `ayin (`) in some cases by the Greek letter gamma (g). The numerical value of this letter is 70. An `ayin (`) begins each verse of the 16th section of Psalm 119 in the Hebrew.

W.W. Davies

137. Ainon -- Aenon, a place in the Jordan Valley
... Word Origin probably of Aramaic origin, cf. ayin Definition Aenon, a place in
the Jordan Valley NASB Word Usage Aenon (1). ... see HEBREW ayin. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/137.htm - 6k370. ayin -- whence?
... 369, 370. ayin. 371 . whence? Transliteration: ayin Phonetic Spelling:
(ah-yin') Short Definition: where. Word Origin from ay Definition whence? ...
/hebrew/370.htm - 6k

5870. ayin -- an eye
... 5869, 5870. ayin. 5870a . an eye. Transliteration: ayin Phonetic Spelling:
(ah'-yin) Short Definition: eye. eye (Aramaic) corresponding to ayin; an eye -- ...
/hebrew/5870.htm - 5k

5871. Ayin -- a spring (of water)
... 5870b, 5871. Ayin. 5871a . a spring (of water). Transliteration: Ayin Phonetic
Spelling: (ah'-yin) Short Definition: Ain. Ain ... see HEBREW ayin. 5870b, 5871 ...
/hebrew/5871.htm - 5k

5871a. ayin -- a spring (of water)
... 5871, 5871a. ayin. 5871b . a spring (of water). Transliteration: ayin Short
Definition: spring. ... 5871, 5871a. ayin. 5871b . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5871a.htm - 5k

5870a. ayin -- an eye
... 5870, 5870a. ayin. 5870b . an eye. Transliteration: ayin Short Definition:
eyes. Word ... 4). 5870, 5870a. ayin. 5870b . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5870a.htm - 5k

5871b. Ayin -- two places in Isr.
... 5871a, 5871b. Ayin. 5872 . two places in Isr. Transliteration: Ayin Short
Definition: Ain. Word Origin from ayin Definition two places in Isr. ...
/hebrew/5871b.htm - 5k

5869. ayin -- an eye
... 5868, 5869. ayin. 5870 . an eye. Transliteration: ayin Phonetic Spelling:
(ah'-yin) Short Definition: eyes. ... 5868, 5869. ayin. 5870 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5869.htm - 7k

369. ayin -- nothing, nought
... 368b, 369. ayin. 370 . nothing, nought. Transliteration: ayin Phonetic Spelling:
(ah'-yin) Short Definition: no. Word Origin a prim. ... 368b, 369. ayin. 370 ...
/hebrew/369.htm - 7k

5884. En Rimmon -- "spring of a pomegranate," a place in Judah
... Word Origin from ayin and rimmon Definition "spring of a pomegranate," a place in
Judah NASB Word Usage En-rimmon (1). En-rimmon. ... see HEBREW ayin. ...
/hebrew/5884.htm - 6k

5874. En-dor -- "spring of dwelling," a town in Manasseh
... En-dor. Word Origin from ayin and dor Definition "spring of dwelling," a
town in Manasseh NASB Word Usage En-dor (3). En-dor. Or meyn ...
/hebrew/5874.htm - 6k

Footnotes
... ip380, &c. Zwoelfter Excursus. 37 Chapter i. 38 {HEBREW LETTER AYIN}{HEBREW LETTER
LAMED} {HEBREW LETTER YOD}{HEBREW LETTER DALET}{HEBREW LETTER YOD}. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/davidson/the canon of the bible/footnotes.htm

The Image of the Beast.
... LETTER MEM}{HEBREW LETTER YOD}{HEBREW LETTER YOD}{HEBREW LETTER TAV}, Romiith"{HEBREW
LETTER RESH}{HEBREW LETTER MEM}{HEBREW LETTER AYIN}{HEBREW LETTER NUN ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the image of the beast.htm

Footnotes
... 89 This verse is uncertain; for Hebrew {HEBREW LETTER BET}{HEBREW LETTER AYIN}{HEBREW
LETTER TAV}{HEBREW LETTER HE} read with the Greek {HEBREW LETTER BET ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/footnotes.htm

On the Opposing Powers.
... Probably the Septuagint and Vulgate had mlvt before them, the similarity between
Samech and Ayin accounting for the error in transcription. ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter ii on the opposing powers.htm

Footnotes
The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning. <. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

Footnotes
The Last Twelve Verses of the Gospel According to S. Mark. <. ...
/.../burgon/the last twelve verses of the gospel according to s mark /footnotes.htm

Ayin (1 Occurrence)
...AYIN. a'-yen: `ayin, "eye" or "fountain": The 16th letter of the Hebrew alphabet,
so named, probably, because the original form resembled the eye. ...
/a/ayin.htm - 7k

Acrostic (2 Occurrences)
... In Psalm 37 all the letters are represented except `ayin which seems however
from Septuagint to have been present in the earliest text. ...
/a/acrostic.htm - 15k

Eye (145 Occurrences)
... it as a mimetic word akin to Latin pupa, papilla ("He that toucheth you toucheth
the apple of his eye," ie Yahweh's; Zechariah 2:8); bath-`ayin, "daughter of ...
/e/eye.htm - 54k

Cistern (21 Occurrences)
... for "well" is be'er (seen in Beer-sheba, "well of the oath," Genesis 21:31), but
other terms are thus rendered in the King James Version, as `ayin (Genesis 24 ...
/c/cistern.htm - 29k

Ain (6 Occurrences)
... a'-in (`ayin, "eye or spring (of water)"): (1) A town in the extreme Northwest corner
of Canaan, so named, most probably, from a noted spring in the vicinity ...
/a/ain.htm - 9k

Aqueduct (4 Occurrences)
... for "well" is be'er (seen in Beer-sheba, "well of the oath," Genesis 21:31), but
other terms are thus rendered in the King James Version, as `ayin (Genesis 24 ...
/a/aqueduct.htm - 23k

Face (780 Occurrences)
... fas: In Hebrew the translation of three expressions: (1) panim (2) `ayin, literally,
"eye" and (3) 'aph, literally, "nose," "nostril," already noted under the ...
/f/face.htm - 47k

Pool (25 Occurrences)
... for "well" is be'er (seen in Beer-sheba, "well of the oath," Genesis 21:31), but
other terms are thus rendered in the King James Version, as `ayin (Genesis 24 ...
/p/pool.htm - 40k

Aramaic (12 Occurrences)
... the Chaldee of the Jewish Targums, there was the Samaritan Pentateuch; in it, besides
many foreign elements in the vocabulary, the use of `ayin instead of waw ...
/a/aramaic.htm - 31k

Well (2882 Occurrences)
... for "well" is be'er (seen in Beer-sheba, "well of the oath," Genesis 21:31), but
other terms are thus rendered in the King James Version, as `ayin (Genesis 24 ...
/w/well.htm - 39k

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