The term "evil eye" is a concept that appears in various cultural and religious contexts, including the Bible. In Scripture, the "evil eye" is often associated with envy, greed, and malevolence. It is a metaphorical expression used to describe a person's covetous or malicious gaze, which can lead to harm or misfortune for others.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 23:6-7 : "Do not eat the bread of a stingy man, and do not crave his delicacies; for he is keeping track, inwardly counting the cost. 'Eat and drink,' he says to you, but his heart is not with you." In this passage, the "stingy man" is often understood to have an "evil eye," as his outward generosity is a facade for his inward greed and selfishness.

2. Matthew 6:22-23 : "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" Here, Jesus speaks of the eye as a metaphor for one's spiritual and moral vision. A "bad" or "evil" eye suggests a corrupt or sinful perspective that darkens one's entire being.

3. Mark 7:21-22 : "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness." The term "envy" in this list of vices is often linked to the concept of the evil eye, as it represents a destructive and covetous desire for what others possess.

4. Galatians 5:19-21 : "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Envy, akin to the evil eye, is listed among the works of the flesh, highlighting its sinful nature.

Cultural and Theological Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, the evil eye was often feared as a source of supernatural harm. People believed that a malevolent gaze could bring about physical or spiritual affliction. This belief is reflected in various cultural practices aimed at warding off the evil eye, such as amulets and protective charms.

From a theological perspective, the evil eye is understood as a manifestation of inner sinfulness. It represents a heart condition that is contrary to the virtues of love, generosity, and contentment. The Bible consistently warns against envy and covetousness, urging believers to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and trust in God's provision.

Moral and Spiritual Implications:

The concept of the evil eye serves as a caution against allowing envy and greed to take root in one's heart. It challenges believers to examine their motives and desires, ensuring that they align with the teachings of Christ. By fostering a spirit of generosity and contentment, Christians can guard against the destructive influence of the evil eye and live in accordance with God's will.Evil Eye

EVIL EYE

(ra` `ayin, "evil of eye"; ophthalmos poneros):

The superstition of the influence of the "evil eye," so widely spread over the earth, has had a mighty influence on life and language in Palestine, though direct references to it are not frequent in the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 15:9; Deuteronomy 28:54, 56 Proverbs 23:6; Proverbs 28:22 Matthew 20:15 (compare Matthew 6:23 Luke 11:34); Mark 7:22). In the Bible the expression is synonymous with envy, jealousy and some forms of covetousness. In comparing Romans 1:29 with Mark 7:22 we find that ophthalmos poneros corresponds to phthonos. See Trench, New Testament Synonyms, under the word The eye of the envious (as also the tongue of the invidious by an apparently appreciative word, which, however, only disguises the strong desire of possessing the object of comment or of destroying it for its rightful owner) was supposed to have a baneful influence upon the wellbeing of others, especially of children. Therefore mothers bestowed constant care against the frustration of such fancied designs by means of innumerable sorts of charms. They often allowed their darlings to appear as unlovely as possible, through uncleanliness or rags, so as to spare them the harmful rising of envy in the hearts of others.

Lane, Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians, gives perhaps the most accessible account of this superstition as held at the present day in Egypt, and Thomson, The Land and the Book, does the same for Palestine, while an equal amount of evidence might be collected from every other oriental country. Instances of the same superstition, though possibly slightly disguised, are by no means wanting among ourselves. Compare the expression, "green-eyed jealousy" (Othello, III, iii; Merchant of Venice, III, ii), etc.

For certain Biblical phrases referring to the "evil eye" see ENVY; EYE.

LITERATURE.

F. T. Elworthy, The Evil Eye, London, 1895.

H. L. E. Luering

940. baskaino -- to slander, hence by ext. to bewitch
... Verb Transliteration: baskaino Phonetic Spelling: (bas-kah'-ee-no) Short Definition:
I give the evil eye to, fascinate, bewitch, overpower Definition: I give ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/940.htm - 7k

On a Single Eye
... is not single is evil,) "thy whole body shall be full of darkness." It is certain
there can be no medium between a single eye and an evil eye; for whenever we ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 118 on a single.htm

Galatians Chapter iii.
... And when you hear of jealousy in this place, and in the Gospel, of an evil eye,
which means the same, you must not suppose that the glance of the eye has any ...
/.../galatians chapter iii.htm

Rejection of the Tradition of the Elders.
... men, evil thoughts proceed, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, covetings,
wickedness, deceit, false witness, lasciviousness, an evil eye, railing, pride ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/rejection of the tradition of.htm

Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
... b proceed,} ^a evil thoughts, ^b fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22;
covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye [an envious eye ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxv jesus fails to attend.htm

Be not Deceived; God is not Mocked.
... heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts,
covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter ii be not deceived.htm

Man is Endowed with the Faculty of Distinguishing Good and Evil ...
... Since God, therefore, gave [to man] such mental power (magnanimitatem) man knew
both the good of obedience and the evil of disobedience, that the eye of the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxix man is endowed with.htm

Appendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised ...
... into a bed of cresses, and beat him with the jawbone of an ass' (Shabb 67 a). On
the other hand, it is recommended as a precaution against the evil eye to put ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xvi on the jewish.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... "But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness." "If thine
eye be evil:" " We see there is no medium between a single and an evil eye. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 28 upon our lords.htm

Sixth Commandment
... proceed evil thoughts"adulteries"fornications"murders "thefts"covetousness"
wickedness"deceit"lasciviousness"an evil eye"blasphemy"pride ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/sixth commandment.htm

Philippians i. 11-Aug
... present. For did you hold money and the glory of this world to be nought,
you would not cast an evil eye on its possessors. But ...
/.../homily ii philippians i 11-aug.htm

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