Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

EYE

An essential part of the body (1 Cor. 12:16-21), enabling people and animals to see, both physically and figuratively (Deut. 3:21; 1 John 1:1). Biblical writings, however, understand the visual process very differently than does modern science. Whereas we consider the eye a receptive organ which allows light from outside to enter the brain, in most biblical thought it is an active instrument which transmits light outward from a person’s interior. Thus the eye (Heb. ʿayin; Gk. opthalmós) is “the lamp of the body” (Matt. 6:22-23; cf. Zech. 4:2-10), created and “enlightened” by God (Prov. 29:13; Ps. 19:8[MT 9]; 94:9), and connected with the understanding “heart” (Prov. 21:4; Eph 1:18). “Bright” eyes indicate health (1 Sam. 14:27-29), while “dim” eyes connote poor vision (Gen. 27:1; 1 Sam. 3:2; cf. Deut. 34:7). Heavenly beings (who see better than humans) can have eyes “like flaming torches” (Dan. 10:6; Rev. 1:14) or even multiple eyes (Ezek. 1:18; Rev. 4:6-8; 5:6). Eyes that are “darkened” (Ps. 69:23[24]; Rom. 11:8-10), “closed” (Isa. 6:9-10; Matt. 13:15), or “blinded” (John 12:40) often refer figuratively to a lack of understanding, while the “opening” of eyes means recognition and knowledge (Gen. 3:5-7; Luke 24:31). Eyes are also “closed” in sleep (Isa. 29:10) and death (Gen. 46:4), and “opened” when a person awakens (Job 27:19) or is restored to life (2 Kgs. 4:35; Acts 9:40; cf. Ps. 13:3[4]). People who are physically blind can also have their eyes “opened” (Isa. 35:5; John 9:1-41).

Since God can “see” everything, God’s own “eyes” are mentioned frequently in the OT (e.g., Deut. 11:12; 1 Kgs. 9:3; Amos 9:8), but rarely in the NT (only Heb. 4:13; 1 Pet. 3:12). Idols also have eyes, but they cannot see (Ps. 115:5; 135:16), just like people who do not recognize God (Jer. 5:21; Mark 8:18; cf. Isa. 43:8). Human eyes rarely see God directly (Num. 24:4; Job 42:5; Isa. 6:5; cf. Exod. 33:20), but often look toward God (Ps. 25:15; Isa. 17:7).

Physically, eyes can be beautiful (1 Sam. 16:12; Cant. 1:15) or beautified with cosmetics (2 Kgs. 9:30; Jer. 4:30), yet eye color is almost never mentioned (Gen. 49:12; cf. Prov. 23:29). Priests with “blemished” eyes are restricted from certain tasks (Lev. 21:20), but few texts mention the treatment of eye diseases and ailments (Rev. 3:18; Matt. 7:3-4). Eyes can be gouged out in military action (1 Sam. 10:27b), juridical punishment (Exod. 21:23-26; Matt. 5:38), or self-mutilation (5:29), resulting in people who are “one-eyed” (18:9 = Mark 9:47) or fully “blinded” (2 Kgs. 25:7).

Because the eyes produce tears (Job 16:20; Ps. 119:136), they are often mentioned in expressions of grief (Jer. 9:1[8:23]; Lam. 1:16). Other common biblical expressions include “setting” or “fixing” the eyes on something (i.e., paying attention; Gen. 44:21; Luke 4:20) and “raising the eyes,” either haughtily (2 Kgs. 19:22), or in seeking help (Ps. 121:1), or simply in observation (Gen. 13:14; Matt. 17:8). “In the eyes of the Lord” (NRSV “in the sight of”) refers to God’s favorable or unfavorable judgment (Exod. 33:12-13; 1 Kgs. 11:6), while “in one’s own eyes” often implies self-conceit (Isa. 5:21). The eyes can be instruments of lust (Num. 15:39; 2 Pet. 2:14), while “winking the eyes” indicates wicked intentions (Ps. 35:19; Prov. 16:30).

Because events occur in the presence or “before the eyes” of people, the role of “eye-witnesses” is crucial, in both religious (Deut. 4:9; Luke 1:2) and legal contexts (Deut. 9:17; 1 Kgs. 10:7). The expression “evil eye” refers metaphorically to people who are stingy (Prov. 23:6) or envious (Mark 7:22). The phrase translated “eye of a needle” has nothing to do with the eyes, but is literally “hole of a needle” in Greek (Matt. 19:24 par.).

Bibliography. H. D. Betz, “Matt. 6:22-23 and Ancient Greek Theories of Vision,” in Essays on the Sermon on the Mount (Philadelphia, 1985), 71-87.

Felix Just, S.J.

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

EYE

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)