In the biblical context, eyelids are often mentioned metaphorically, symbolizing vigilance, awareness, and sometimes moral discernment. The eyelids, as part of the human anatomy, serve the practical purpose of protecting the eyes, but in Scripture, they carry deeper spiritual and moral implications.

Symbol of Vigilance and Alertness

The eyelids are frequently associated with the concept of watchfulness. In Proverbs 4:25, the text advises, "Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead." This passage underscores the importance of maintaining focus and vigilance in one's spiritual journey. The eyelids, by extension, are a metaphor for the need to remain alert and attentive to the path of righteousness.

Moral Discernment

Eyelids are also used to convey the idea of moral discernment. In Proverbs 6:12-13, the description of a "worthless person" includes the phrase, "winking with his eyes, speaking with his feet, pointing with his fingers." Here, the act of winking, involving the eyelids, is associated with deceit and malicious intent. This suggests that the movement of the eyelids can symbolize hidden motives or the concealment of true intentions.

Divine Observation

The Bible also uses the imagery of eyelids to describe God's omniscience and His ability to see all things. In Psalm 11:4, it is written, "The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men." The mention of God's eyes implies His constant vigilance over humanity, with His eyelids metaphorically representing His unceasing observation and judgment.

Rest and Renewal

While vigilance is a key theme, the closing of the eyelids is also a natural part of rest and renewal. In Psalm 132:4, the psalmist declares, "I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids," expressing a deep commitment to seeking God's presence and favor. This passage highlights the balance between spiritual alertness and the necessity of rest, as even the most devout must eventually close their eyelids to rejuvenate.

Conclusion

In summary, the biblical references to eyelids serve as a rich metaphorical language that conveys themes of vigilance, moral discernment, divine observation, and the balance between spiritual alertness and rest. Through these references, the Bible provides insight into the human condition and the spiritual journey, using the simple yet profound imagery of the eyelids.8109. shemurah -- eyelid
... 8108, 8109. shemurah. 8110 . eyelid. Transliteration: shemurah Phonetic
Spelling: (shem-oo-raw') Short Definition: eyelids. Word ...
/hebrew/8109.htm - 6k

6079. aphaph -- eyelid
... 6078, 6079. aphaph. 6080 . eyelid. Transliteration: aphaph Phonetic Spelling:
(af-af') Short Definition: eyelids. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/6079.htm - 6k

5869. ayin -- an eye
... 3), broad (1), concern* (1), confidence (1), disdained* (1), displease* (2), displeased*
(4), disregard* (1), eye (68), eyebrows* (1), eyelids* (1), eyes (372 ...
/hebrew/5869.htm - 7k

How Subjects and Prelates are to be Admonished.
... hast fallen into the hands of thy neighbour: run up and down, hasten, arouse thy
friend; give not sleep to thine eyes, nor let thine eyelids slumber (Proverbs 6 ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter iv how subjects and.htm

Gherardi Sat for Two or Three Minutes in Absolute Silence. ...
... Only the twitching of his eyelids and a slight throbbing in the muscles of his throat
showed with what difficulty he suppressed his rising fury. ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxi gherardi sat for two.htm

The Bridegroom Comes! My Soul, Awake,
... I. The Bridegroom comes! My soul, awake,. And slumber from thine eyelids shake;
Hark! ... O soul of mine, awake, awake,. And slumber from thine eyelids shake. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns from the east/the bridegroom comes my soul.htm

The Bed and Its Covering
... God so pleased it, he might have made man an everlasting watcher, upon whose eyes
the mists of night never should descend, and upon whose eyelids the fingers ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the bed and its covering.htm

Head of the Lord
... The eyelids of the Lord"hidden spiritual mysteries in the Divine precepts. In the
Psalm: "His eyelids question, that is prove, the children of men." [3644]. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/ix head of the lord.htm

That the Sole Cause of the Decay and Cooling of Charity is in the ...
... gave glimpses of itself like little flashes of lightning about the pupils of these
sleepers' eyes, and by the heat which pierced their eyelids, forced them by ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter v that the sole.htm

The Cardinal was Seated, -- He Rose as Moretti Appeared. ...
... The Cardinal gave a gesture of courteous deprecation; and Monsignor Moretti, lifting
his, till then, partially lowered eyelids, flashed an angry regard upon ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xv the cardinal was seated.htm

How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
... And again, Let thine eyelids go before thy steps (Proverbs 4:25). For indeed our
eyelids go before our steps, when right counsels prevent our doings. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xv how the slothful.htm

Eyes Right
... Eyes Right. A sermon (No.2058) by CH Spurgeon "Let thine eyes look right on, and
let thine eyelids look straight before thee."""Proverbs 4:25. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/eyes right.htm

Caput xv.
... what the mouths? what the touch? what the eyelids? what the eyebrows? ... The eyelids
and eyebrows denote the guarding of the conceptions which see God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput xv.htm

Eyelids (12 Occurrences)
...Eyelids (12 Occurrences). ... Let it look for light, but have none, neither let
it see the eyelids of the morning, (WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT RSV). ...
/e/eyelids.htm - 9k

Eyelid
... i'-lid: Eyes and eyelids in Hebrew are sometimes used synonymously, as in the
parallelism of Proverbs 4:25 (compare 6:4; 30:13): "Let thine eyes look right on ...
/e/eyelid.htm - 7k

Wink (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To shut the eyes quickly; to close the eyelids with a quick motion. 3.
(vi) To close and open the eyelids quickly; to nictitate; to blink. ...
/w/wink.htm - 9k

Rays (5 Occurrences)
... Let it look for light, but have none, neither let it see the eyelids of the morning,
(See NIV). ... His eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. (See NIV). ...
/r/rays.htm - 7k

Slumber (14 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 132:4 I will not give sleep to
my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids; (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/slumber.htm - 10k

Eye (145 Occurrences)
... Its great value and careful protection by the eyelids automatically closing when
there is the least possibility of danger made it the emblem of that which was ...
/e/eye.htm - 54k

Kerenhappuch (1 Occurrence)
... Antimony, producing a brilliant black, was used among the Orientals for coloring
the edges of the eyelids, making the eyes large and lustrous. ...
/k/kerenhappuch.htm - 7k

Keren-happuch (1 Occurrence)
... Antimony, producing a brilliant black, was used among the Orientals for coloring
the edges of the eyelids, making the eyes large and lustrous. ...
/k/keren-happuch.htm - 7k

Neesings (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Neesings (1 Occurrence). Job 41:18 By his neesings a light
doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. (KJV). ...
/n/neesings.htm - 6k

Leprosy (51 Occurrences)
... This disease "begins with specks on the eyelids and on the palms, gradually spreading
over the body, bleaching the hair white wherever they appear, crusting ...
/l/leprosy.htm - 37k

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