The concept of "eyes" in the Bible is rich with symbolic and literal significance, appearing frequently throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Eyes are often used to represent perception, understanding, and spiritual insight, as well as the physical organ of sight.

Physical Eyesight

In the Bible, physical eyesight is a gift from God, allowing humans to perceive the world around them. The creation narrative in Genesis 1:31 states, "God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." Here, God's act of seeing underscores His approval and the perfection of His creation. The physical act of seeing is also a metaphor for God's omniscience, as expressed in Proverbs 15:3: "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good."

Spiritual Insight

Beyond physical sight, eyes in the Bible often symbolize spiritual insight and understanding. In Ephesians 1:18, Paul prays for the believers, "that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." This passage highlights the importance of spiritual perception, which transcends mere physical sight.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The eyes are also associated with moral and ethical behavior. In Matthew 6:22-23, Jesus teaches, "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." Here, the condition of one's eyes metaphorically reflects one's moral and spiritual state, suggesting that purity and righteousness lead to spiritual illumination.

Divine Observation

The eyes of God are a recurring theme, emphasizing His omnipresence and omniscience. In 2 Chronicles 16:9, it is written, "For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him." This passage reassures believers of God's constant vigilance and His readiness to support those who are faithful.

Judgment and Discernment

Eyes are also linked to judgment and discernment. In Revelation 1:14, the description of Christ includes, "His eyes were like a blazing fire," symbolizing His penetrating insight and ability to judge righteously. This imagery conveys the idea that nothing is hidden from Christ's sight, and His judgments are just and true.

Warnings Against Covetousness

The Bible warns against the misuse of the eyes, particularly in the context of covetousness and lust. In 1 John 2:16, the "lust of the eyes" is listed among the things that are not from the Father but from the world. This warning serves as a reminder to guard one's eyes against desires that lead away from God.

Healing and Restoration

Miracles involving the restoration of sight are significant in the New Testament, symbolizing both physical healing and spiritual awakening. In John 9:25, the man born blind testifies, "One thing I do know: I was blind, but now I see!" This miracle performed by Jesus not only restores physical sight but also serves as a metaphor for spiritual enlightenment and the transformative power of faith.

Conclusion

The theme of eyes in the Bible encompasses a wide range of meanings, from physical sight to spiritual insight, from divine observation to moral discernment. Through these varied uses, the Bible underscores the importance of both seeing and being seen in the context of faith and righteousness.EYES, BLINDING OF THE

blind'-ing.

See EYE; PUNISHMENTS.

EYES, COVERING, OF THE

kuv'-er-ing:

In Genesis 20:16, means forgetfulness of the past, a willingness to overlook the wrong to which Sarah had been exposed.

EYES, DISEASES OF THE

di-zez'-is:

Blindness, defects of sight and diseases of the eye are frequently mentioned in the Scriptures, but usually in general terms. It is probable that in the period covered by the Bible, ophthalmia was as common in Palestine and Egypt as it is now. See BLINDNESS. The commonest of the diseases at present is the purulent conjunctivitis which is a highly infectious malady affecting people of all ages, but especially children, and whose germs are carried from eye to eye by the flies, which are allowed to walk freely over the diseased eyes. This is one of the most disgusting sights in a Palestine village, but I have been told by mothers that it is esteemed unlucky to drive off the flies. In this manner the disease is propagated. The number of persons in any Palestine village whose eyes are more or less blemished by disease is on this account phenomenally large.

Blindness incapacitated a man from serving in the priesthood (Leviticus 21:16, 18); even a blemish of the eye was regarded as a disqualification (Leviticus 21:20).

The cases in the New Testament of persons blind from their birth (as John 9:1) were probably the results of this ophthalmia, but may have been due to congenital malformation. The interesting psychological record of the difficulty of interpreting the new visual sensations by the blind man healed by our Lord (Mark 8:22) indicates that it was probably not a case of congenital blindness, as the evangelist uses the word apokatestathe ("restored"), but he had been so long blind that he had lost the power of appreciating the sense-impressions. This condition has been often discussed as a psycho-physical problem since the days of Molyneux and Locke (Essay on the Human Understanding, II, 9, 8).

The blindness of Paul was probably a temporary paralysis of the retina from the shock of a dazzling light accentuated by the intense emotion which accompanied his vision on the road to Damascus. The "scales" mentioned in Acts 9:18 were not material, but his sight was restored as if (hosei) scales had fallen from his eyes. How far this left his eyes weak we do not know, but from his inability to recognize the high priest (Acts 23:5) and from his employing an amanuensis for transcribing his epistles (Romans 16:22), as well as from his writing in characters of large size (pelikos; Galatians 6:11), it is probable that his vision was defective, and this it has been conjectured was the "thorn in the flesh" of 2 Corinthians 12:7.

Senile blindness, the result either of cataract or retinal degeneration, is mentioned in the cases of Isaac (Genesis 27:1), Jacob (Genesis 48:10) and Eli (1 Samuel 4:15). The frequency of such senile dimness of sight made the case of Moses the more remarkable that at the age of 120 his eye was not dim (Deuteronomy 34:7).

Tobit's blindness, caused by the irritation of the sparrow's dung (APC Tobit 2:10), was a traumatic conjunctivitis which left an opacity. It is not said that the whiteness was itself sufficiently large to destroy vision. There was with it probably a considerable amount of conjunctival thickening, and it is possible that the remedy might have removed this. It certainly could not remove a cicatricial white spot of the nature of an albugo. The conjecture of a recent commentator that the gall, by coloring the spot, made the eye look as if sight was restored when it really was not, seems ludicrously inept. In any case the historical accuracy of the narrative is so problematical that explanation is unnecessary.

See BLINDNESS.

Alexander Macalister

EYES, TENDER

See BLINDNESS.

REDNESS OF EYES

red'-nes.

See DRUNKENNESS, II.

2576. kammuo -- to shut the eyes
... to shut the eyes. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kammuo Phonetic Spelling:
(kam-moo'-o) Short Definition: I close Definition: I close, shut the eyes. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2576.htm - 6k

1393. Dorkas -- "gazelle" (an animal with large bright eyes) ...
... 1392, 1393. Dorkas. 1394 . "gazelle" (an animal with large bright eyes), Dorcas,
a Christian woman. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Dorkas ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1393.htm - 6k

816. atenizo -- to look fixedly, gaze
... 1 ) -- properly, fixed (fixated); to at because with ("taken by"); to observe with
great interest and a fastened (fixed) gaze; "to fix one s eyes on some ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/816.htm - 7k

1342. dikaios -- correct, righteous, by impl. innocent
... Transliteration: dikaios Phonetic Spelling: (dik'-ah-yos) Short Definition: just,
righteous, impartial Definition: just; especially, just in the eyes of God ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1342.htm - 8k

3453. mueo -- to initiate into the mysteries, hence to instruct
... 3453 (akin to 3466 , "mystery") -- properly, shutting the eyes and mouth to ;
(figuratively) the wonderful "mystery revelation" of learning to in every scene ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3453.htm - 7k

1726. enantion -- before, in the presence of.
... Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: enantion Phonetic Spelling: (en-an-tee'-
on) Short Definition: before, in the presence of, in the eyes of Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1726.htm - 6k

127. aidos -- a sense of shame
... Perhaps from a (as a negative particle) and eido (through the idea of downcast eyes);
bashfulness, ie (towards men), modesty or (towards God) awe -- reverence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/127.htm - 6k

5094. timiotes -- preciousness, worth
... Cognate: 5094 (a feminine noun, derived from the feminine noun 5092 , "perceived
value, worth") -- that brand of wealth which has value in the eyes of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5094.htm - 7k

2726. katepheia -- dejection
... dejection. Word Origin from katephes (with eyes downcast) Definition dejection
NASB Word Usage gloom (1). gloominess, dejection. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2726.htm - 6k

5263. hupodeiknumi -- to show secretly, to show by tracing out, to ...
... show, forewarn. From hupo and deiknuo; to exhibit under the eyes, ie (figuratively)
to exemplify (instruct, admonish) -- show, (fore-)warn. see GREEK hupo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5263.htm - 6k

6494. Peqachyah -- "Yah has opened (the eyes)," a king of Isr.
... 6493, 6494. Peqachyah. 6495 . "Yah has opened (the eyes)," a king of Isr. ... Word
Origin from paqach Definition "Yah has opened (the eyes)," a king of Isr. ...
/hebrew/6494.htm - 6k

454a. Elyehoenay -- "toward Yah (are) my eyes," two Israelites
... 454, 454a. Elyehoenay. 454b . "toward Yah (are) my eyes," two Israelites.
Transliteration: Elyehoenay Short Definition: Eliehoenai. ...
/hebrew/454a.htm - 5k

454b. Elyoenay -- "to Yah (are) my eyes," the name of several ...
... 454a, 454b. Elyoenay. 455 . "to Yah (are) my eyes," the name of several
Israelites. Transliteration: Elyoenay Short Definition: Elioenai. ...
/hebrew/454b.htm - 5k

6105b. atsam -- to shut (the eyes)
... atsam. 6105c . to shut (the eyes). Transliteration: atsam Short Definition: shut. ...
root Definition to shut (the eyes) NASB Word Usage shut (1), shuts (1). ...
/hebrew/6105b.htm - 5k

454. Elyhow'eynay -- "toward Yah (are) my eyes," two Israelites
... "toward Yah (are) my eyes," two Israelites. Transliteration: Elyhow'eynay Phonetic
Spelling: (el-ye-ho-ay-nah'ee) Short Definition: Elihoenai. Elihoenai, Elionai ...
/hebrew/454.htm - 6k

6491b. paqach -- to open (eyes)
... to open (eyes). Transliteration: paqach Short Definition: open. ... root Definition to
open (eyes) NASB Word Usage open (10), opened (7), opens (2), watch* (1). ...
/hebrew/6491b.htm - 5k

5869. ayin -- an eye
... 5868, 5869. ayin. 5870 . an eye. Transliteration: ayin Phonetic Spelling:
(ah'-yin) Short Definition: eyes. Word Origin of uncertain ...
/hebrew/5869.htm - 7k

5870a. ayin -- an eye
... an eye. Transliteration: ayin Short Definition: eyes. Word Origin (Aramaic)
corresponding to ayin Definition an eye NASB Word Usage eye (1), eyes (4). ...
/hebrew/5870a.htm - 5k

6095. atsah -- to shut
... root Definition to shut NASB Word Usage winks (1). shut. A primitive root; properly,
to fasten (or make firm), ie To close (the eyes) -- shut. 6094, 6095. ...
/hebrew/6095.htm - 5k

6320. puk -- antimony, stibium
... fair colors, glistering, painted. From an unused root meaning to paint; dye
(specifically, stibium for the eyes) -- fair colours, glistering, paint(-ed) (-ing). ...
/hebrew/6320.htm - 6k

The Eyes of the Heart.
... Personal Contact With Jesus: The Beginning of Service. (John i:35-51.) The
Eyes of the Heart. ... Paul speaks of the eyes of the heart. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/the eyes of the heart.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

The Opened Eyes
... The Opened Eyes. Gerhard Ter Steegen John 9:37. ... "I see but starlit skies.". "Where
is the sun?" So calleth at noonday. The man with sightless eyes. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen suso and others/the opened eyes.htm

What, have You Seen with Your Eyes, and Handled with Your Hands...
... Book II. 9 What, have you seen with your eyes, and handled with your hands?
What, have you seen with your eyes, and handled [3455 ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/9 what have you seen.htm

That the Eyes of the Soul must be Purged Ere God Can be Seen.
... Theophilus to Autolycus: Book I. Chapter II."That the Eyes of the Soul
Must Be Purged Ere God Can Be Seen. But if you say, "Show ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter ii that the eyes of.htm

I Cannot Lift Mine Eyes,
... ASPIRATIONS I cannot lift mine eyes,. 6,6,6,6,6,6 tr., John Brownlie. I. I cannot
lift mine eyes,. For, O, my sin is great,". High as the hills that rise. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns from the east/i cannot lift mine eyes.htm

Open Our Eyes
... XC OPEN OUR EYES. 2 Kings vi.17. ... This young man did not see things as they really
were, because, as we say in smaller matters, he did not have his eyes open. ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/xc open our eyes.htm

The Longing Eyes that Sought the Light
... ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS The longing eyes that sought the light. tr., John Brownlie
8.6.8.6.8.8. I. The longing eyes that sought the light. Are filled with glad amaze ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/the longing eyes that sought.htm

If You Will Open Your Minds' Eyes, and See the Real Truth Without ...
... Book IV. 24 If you will open your minds' eyes, and see the real truth
without gratifying any? If you will open your minds' eyes ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/24 if you will open.htm

I Cannot Lift Mine Eyes,
... FAITH AND PENITENCE II I cannot lift mine eyes,. 6,6,6,6,6,6. I cannot lift mine
eyes,. For O, my sin is great,". High as the hills that rise. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the russian church/ii i cannot lift mine.htm

Eyes (6285 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EYES, BLINDING OF THE. blind'-ing. See
EYE; PUNISHMENTS. EYES, COVERING, OF THE. kuv'-er-ing: In ...
/e/eyes.htm - 11k

Closed (47 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:15 for this people's heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of
hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with ...
/c/closed.htm - 20k

Copying (10 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Kings 15:26 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, copying the evil ways
of his father, and the sin which he did and made Israel do. (BBE). ...
/c/copying.htm - 9k

Attentive (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to
their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (See NIV ...
/a/attentive.htm - 12k

Shackles (14 Occurrences)
... Judges 16:21 The Philistines laid hold on him, and put out his eyes; and they brought
him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he ground at ...
/s/shackles.htm - 9k

Slow (43 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:15 For the heart of this people has become fat and their ears are slow
in hearing and their eyes are shut; for fear that they might see with their ...
/s/slow.htm - 21k

Servant's (29 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 7:19 This was yet a small thing in your eyes, Lord Yahweh; but you have
spoken also of your servant's house for a great while to come; and this after ...
/s/servant's.htm - 15k

Asleep (50 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:15 for the heart of this people has grown fat, and they have heard heavily
with their ears, and they have closed their eyes as asleep, lest they ...
/a/asleep.htm - 23k

Scarcely (14 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:15 for this people's heart has grown callous, their ears are dull of
hearing, they have closed their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with ...
/s/scarcely.htm - 10k

Serveth (24 Occurrences)
... (ASV YLT). Genesis 29:20 and Jacob serveth for Rachel seven years; and they are
in his eyes as some days, because of his loving her. (YLT). ...
/s/serveth.htm - 13k

What is the lust of the eyes? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to make a covenant with your eyes? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible mean when it speaks against haughty eyes? | GotQuestions.org

Eyes: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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