The Eye: Actions of, Mentioned in Scripture: Seeing
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The eye, as a physical organ and a metaphorical symbol, holds significant importance in the Bible. It is often associated with perception, understanding, and spiritual insight. The action of seeing, facilitated by the eye, is frequently mentioned in Scripture, highlighting both its literal and figurative roles in the life of believers.

Physical Seeing

The eye's primary function is to see, and this action is depicted in various narratives throughout the Bible. In Genesis 3:6, the eye is involved in the first act of disobedience: "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it." Here, the eye's role in seeing is directly linked to temptation and the fall of humanity.

In the New Testament, Jesus often used the act of seeing to perform miracles, restoring physical sight to the blind. In John 9:7, Jesus instructs a blind man, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam." The man obeys, and his sight is miraculously restored, demonstrating Jesus' power over physical ailments and His compassion for human suffering.

Spiritual Seeing

Beyond physical sight, the Bible frequently uses the concept of seeing to describe spiritual insight and understanding. In Psalm 119:18, the psalmist prays, "Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law." This plea reflects a desire for spiritual enlightenment and a deeper comprehension of God's Word.

The prophets often spoke of seeing in terms of visions and divine revelations. Isaiah 6:1 begins with the prophet's vision: "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and exalted." This vision signifies a profound spiritual encounter, offering insight into God's holiness and majesty.

Moral and Ethical Seeing

The Bible also addresses the moral implications of what one chooses to see. 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." This passage underscores the importance of focusing on what is righteous and pure, as the eyes influence one's entire being.

Job, in his pursuit of righteousness, declares, "I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze with desire at a virgin?" (Job 31:1). This statement reflects a commitment to purity and integrity, recognizing the eye's role in guiding moral behavior.

Divine Seeing

God's omniscience is often described in terms of His all-seeing eyes. Proverbs 15:3 states, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good." This assurance of God's watchful presence serves as both a comfort and a warning, reminding believers of His constant vigilance and justice.

In Revelation 1:14, the glorified Christ is described with eyes "like a blazing fire," symbolizing His penetrating insight and judgment. This imagery conveys the idea that nothing is hidden from the Lord's sight, emphasizing His authority and discernment.

In summary, the action of seeing, as facilitated by the eye, is a multifaceted concept in Scripture. It encompasses physical sight, spiritual insight, moral discernment, and divine omniscience, each aspect contributing to a deeper understanding of God's truth and the believer's walk in faith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 7:8
The eye of him that has seen me shall see me no more: your eyes are on me, and I am not.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 28:10
He cuts out rivers among the rocks; and his eye sees every precious thing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Interpretation of Holy Scripture. --Inspired Interpretation. --The ...
... upon "the Captain of the Lord's Host," mentioned in the ... of so celestial a texture,
that, to the eye of the ... 6. For let me remind you,"The very actions of men ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon v interpretation of holy.htm

The Marvels of Holy Scripture, --Moral and Physical. --Jael's Deed ...
... Worthies of old time who are mentioned with distinct ... long way indeed to excuse the
actions just alluded to ... were before unpolluted; who dims the eye, and deadens ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon vii the marvels of.htm

Scripture the Criterion by which Truth and Heresy are ...
... For, just like a disordered eye, so also the soul that ... Though men's actions are ten
thousand in number, the ... who treats of the above-mentioned topic, attributes ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvi scripture the criterion by.htm

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ...
... works of God than those which meet our eye, yet, seeing he ... In one Satan or devil
being often mentioned in the ... In one word, in all his actions we experience the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 in the creation.htm

On the Interpretation of Scripture
... attribution to the Divine Being of actions at variance ... But while venturing to turn
one eye on these ... The twofold effect just now mentioned, corresponds to these ...
/.../on the interpretation of scripture.htm

The End of Theology
... If it be thus enlightened, the eye of the ... dilated and expanded to that degree which
we have mentioned. This is, therefore, the most glorious of God's actions. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/the end of theology.htm

An Israelite Indeed
... He is not mentioned again under this name; but probably he had ... Thy words to it, thy
actions to them both. ... nor in gratifying "the desire of the eye," " in any ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 90 an israelite indeed.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... men of wrong judgment are wont to blame what they suppose to be wrong actions. ... had
discovered the family of Sara, though it is not mentioned in Scripture. ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Petilianus Said: "But what have You to do with the Kings of This.. ...
... not the beam that is in thine own eye." [2239 ... Do you wish to know which of these
actions is conducive ... For when you had mentioned the names of two, Macarius and ...
/.../chapter 93 202 petilianus.htm

The Great Assize
... For these also, by means of the eye or ear, may ... Nor will all the actions alone of
every child of man ... will these be remembered in that day, and mentioned in the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 15 the great assize.htm

Resources
Is there such a thing as the evil eye? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He said, “the eye is the lamp of the body” (Matthew 6:22)? | GotQuestions.org

Eye: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Eye

Eye for an Eye

Eye of Evil Desire, Never Satisfied

Eye: Anthropomorphic Uses of

Eye: The offending

The Eye of the Mind

The Eye: (Anointing With Eyesalve) of Healing by the Spirit

The Eye: (Open) Spiritual Illumination

The Eye: A Guard to be Set On

The Eye: Actions of, Mentioned in Scripture: Directing

The Eye: Actions of, Mentioned in Scripture: Seeing

The Eye: Actions of, Mentioned in Scripture: Weeping

The Eye: Actions of, Mentioned in Scripture: Winking

The Eye: Consumed by Grief

The Eye: Consumed by Sickness

The Eye: Frequently Fair

The Eye: God: Enlightens

The Eye: God: Formed

The Eye: God: Made

The Eye: God: Opens

The Eye: Grows Dim by Age

The Eye: Grows Dim by Sorrow

The Eye: Made Red by Wine

The Eye: Not Evil Thing to be Set Before

The Eye: Not Satisfied With Riches

The Eye: Not Satisfied With Seeing

The Eye: Often Put out As a Punishment

The Eye: Parts of Mentioned in Scripture: The Apple or Ball

The Eye: Parts of Mentioned in Scripture: The Brow

The Eye: Parts of Mentioned in Scripture: The Lid

The Eye: Punishment for Injuring

The Eye: Sometimes Blemished

The Eye: Sometimes Tender

The Eye: The Jewish Women often Painted

The Eye: The Jews: Cast, on the Ground in Humiliation

The Eye: The Jews: Not to Make Baldness Between

The Eye: The Jews: Raised Up, in Prayer

The Eye: The Jews: Wore Their Phylacteries Between

The Eye: The Light of the Body

The Eye: The Light of, Rejoices the Heart

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24000 (10 Occurrences)

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The Eye: Actions of, Mentioned in Scripture: Directing
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