In biblical literature, the concept of "winking" is often associated with the idea of overlooking or ignoring certain actions or behaviors. The term is used metaphorically to describe God's temporary forbearance or patience with human sinfulness, as well as the human tendency to overlook wrongdoing.

Biblical References:

1. Acts 17:30 : "Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent." In this passage, the Apostle Paul addresses the people of Athens, explaining that God, in His patience, "winked" at the ignorance of past generations. However, with the revelation of Jesus Christ, God calls all people to repentance. This indicates a shift from divine forbearance to a call for accountability and transformation.

2. Proverbs 6:12-13 : "A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers." Here, winking is associated with deceit and malicious intent. The passage describes a person who uses subtle gestures, such as winking, to convey hidden motives or to manipulate others. This behavior is condemned as part of a broader depiction of wickedness.

3. Proverbs 10:10 : "He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin." This proverb warns against the deceitful practice of winking, suggesting that such actions lead to trouble and sorrow. The verse contrasts the consequences of deceit with the ultimate downfall of those who engage in foolish and dishonest speech.

Theological Implications:

The use of "winking" in Scripture highlights the tension between God's patience and His justice. While God may temporarily overlook certain sins, this does not imply approval or indifference. Instead, it underscores His desire for repentance and reconciliation. The metaphor of winking serves as a reminder of God's mercy, as well as His expectation for moral integrity and truthfulness among His people.

From a moral perspective, the biblical warnings against winking as a form of deceit emphasize the importance of honesty and transparency in human relationships. The Scriptures consistently advocate for truthfulness and integrity, condemning behaviors that undermine trust and promote discord.

Cultural Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, non-verbal communication, such as winking, played a significant role in social interactions. Winking could convey a range of meanings, from friendly jesting to secretive plotting. The biblical authors, aware of these cultural nuances, used the metaphor of winking to illustrate deeper spiritual truths about human behavior and divine expectations.

Overall, the concept of winking in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding God's character and human responsibility. It calls believers to reflect on their own actions and attitudes, encouraging a life marked by repentance, honesty, and alignment with God's will.6095. atsah -- to shut
... to shut. Transliteration: atsah Phonetic Spelling: (aw-tsaw') Short Definition:
winks. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to shut NASB Word Usage winks (1). ...
/hebrew/6095.htm - 5k

7169. qarats -- to nip, pinch
... 7168, 7169. qarats. 7170 . to nip, pinch. Transliteration: qarats Phonetic
Spelling: (kaw-rats') Short Definition: winks. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/7169.htm - 6k

The Broken Fence
... He was not going to sleep much longer; he would only have forty winks more and
then he would be at his work and show you what he could do. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the broken fence.htm

The Talmudic Girdle of the Land under the Second Temple, Taken Out ...
... We must, therefore, act here according to the uncertain instruction of nods and
winks; and that either by saying nothing, or by mere conjecture, since that the ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 2 the talmudic girdle.htm

O Feeble Ones, Why Weep Ye, Over Your Dead: who in Death are at ...
... all to life"3. I reveal unto you, that even Satan, though much content: at your
weeping, yet laughs much, at your mourning."4. In mockery he winks at me ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lxiv o feeble ones.htm

What, Then, Some one Will Say, Does the Deity not Hear? Does He ...
... as ourselves, it follows that it should be understood that He has eyelids placed
as coverings on the pupils of the eyes, that He closes them, winks, sees by ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/18 what then some one.htm

Epistola Eusebii.
... of the homoousion by the evasions with which the Arian bishops met every other test
that was propounded, signalling to each other by nods winks and gestures ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/epistola eusebii.htm

Misery
... The spring whence all things flow: And yet, as though he knew it not,. His knowledge
winks, and lets his humours reign; They make his life a constant blot,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/l misery.htm

Another Archbishop
... Trust him!'"and a number of nods, and winks, and wreathed smiles seemed to
appeal to something esoteric in the knowledge of the hearer. ...
/.../chapter xiv another archbishop.htm

The Council of Nic??a.
... of the previous discussions, of the futility of the Scriptural tests, of the locust
and the caterpillar, of the whisperings, the nods, winks, and evasions. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 3 -1 the council.htm

Substitution
... adore. You adore a god who winks at great sins; you believe in a god who
calls your crimes peccadilloes and little faults. Some ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/substitution.htm

Thoughts for the Clergy on the Amusement Question.
... the while, the initiated in the congregation know pretty well the general drift
of their minister's sentiments; that, though he says little, he winks a tacit ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/thoughts for the clergy on.htm

Winks (3 Occurrences)
...Winks (3 Occurrences). Proverbs 6:13 who winks with his eyes, who signals with
his feet, who motions with his fingers; (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/winks.htm - 7k

Winking (2 Occurrences)

/w/winking.htm - 7k

Winneth (1 Occurrence)

/w/winneth.htm - 6k

Wink (2 Occurrences)
... tolerant; -- generally with at. 6. (vi) To be dim and flicker; as, the light
winks. 7. (vt) To cause (the eyes) to wink. 8. (n.) The ...
/w/wink.htm - 9k

Fingers (22 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 6:13 who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who motions
with his fingers; (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/f/fingers.htm - 13k

Motions (2 Occurrences)
... unto death. (KJV WBS). Proverbs 6:13 who winks with his eyes, who signals
with his feet, who motions with his fingers; (WEB NIV). ...
/m/motions.htm - 6k

Perversities (2 Occurrences)
... its streets. (DBY). Proverbs 16:30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities,
one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil. (WEB). ...
/p/perversities.htm - 6k

Compresses (1 Occurrence)
... Compresses (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 16:30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities,
one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil. (WEB NAS RSV). ...
/c/compresses.htm - 6k

Signals (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Signals (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 6:13 who winks with his
eyes, who signals with his feet, who motions with his fingers; (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/s/signals.htm - 6k

Plot (53 Occurrences)
... good. (WEB NIV). Proverbs 16:30 One who winks his eyes to plot perversities,
one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil. (WEB NIV). ...
/p/plot.htm - 22k

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