Topical Bible: Eye: Anthropomorphic Uses of

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In the Bible, the term "eye" is frequently used in an anthropomorphic sense to describe God's attributes, actions, and relationship with humanity. This usage helps convey complex divine characteristics in a manner that is relatable and understandable to human readers.

1. Divine Omniscience and Watchfulness: The "eye" of God often symbolizes His omniscience and His ability to see all things. Proverbs 15:3 states, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good." This verse emphasizes God's all-seeing nature, indicating that nothing escapes His notice, whether good or evil. Similarly, 2 Chronicles 16:9 declares, "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." Here, the "eyes" of the Lord signify His active engagement in the world, seeking to support the faithful.

2. Judgment and Discernment: The eye is also used to represent God's judgment and discernment. 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." This passage illustrates God's role as a just judge who scrutinizes human actions and intentions. The anthropomorphic use of "eyes" conveys the idea of divine scrutiny and moral evaluation.

3. Favor and Protection: The eye can symbolize God's favor and protective care over His people. In Psalm 33:18 , we read, "Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion." This verse suggests that God's watchful eye is a source of comfort and assurance for those who revere Him, indicating His readiness to protect and bless them.

4. Guidance and Instruction: The eye is also used to depict God's guidance and instruction. Psalm 32:8 states, "I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you with My eye." Here, the "eye" of God represents His personal involvement in directing the paths of His followers, offering wisdom and oversight.

5. Human Response to God: In addition to describing divine attributes, the eye is used to express human responses to God. For instance, Psalm 119:18 says, "Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law." This plea reflects a desire for spiritual insight and understanding, acknowledging the need for divine illumination to comprehend God's word fully.

The anthropomorphic use of "eye" in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor to communicate God's intimate knowledge, righteous judgment, benevolent care, and guiding presence. Through these vivid descriptions, Scripture provides believers with a deeper understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity.

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Psalm 33:18,19
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on them that fear him, on them that hope in his mercy;
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Psalm 34:15
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.
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Psalm 121:3-5
He will not suffer your foot to be moved: he that keeps you will not slumber.
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Isaiah 1:15
And when you spread forth your hands, I will hide my eyes from you: yes, when you make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
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Isaiah 3:8
For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
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Amos 9:8
Behold, the eyes of the Lord GOD are on the sinful kingdom, and I will destroy it from off the face of the earth; saving that I will not utterly destroy the house of Jacob, said the LORD.
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Habakkuk 1:13
You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and can not look on iniquity: why look you on them that deal treacherously, and hold your tongue when the wicked devours the man that is more righteous than he?
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1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
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Library

God Giving Himself.
... the child, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, hand to ... their fondness for big words, say
the Bible is anthropomorphic. That simply means that it uses man's words, and ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/god giving himself.htm

The Doctrine of God
... cannot be seen with the material eye"at least ... (2) What is meant by the anthropomorphic
expressions used ... God often uses plural pronouns in speaking of Himself ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm

Chapter i
... In (De 32:10) the parallel thought is "wilderness." Isaiah uses it to describe ... God,
and the author of chapter two as presenting a more anthropomorphic and less ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter i.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... yet on this road he marches with a step so firm and buoyant, an eye so awake to ... It
is the old anthropomorphic idea of God"the idea of the Prophet and Psalmist ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... I seized, I opened, and in silence I read that paragraph on which my eye first fell ...
but the spirit giveth life" [II:Cor.3:6]. He, then, who lawfully uses the law ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm