Eye

(Heb. 'ain, meaning "flowing"), applied (1) to a fountain, frequently; (2) to colour ( Numbers 11:7 ; RSV, "appearance," marg. "eye"); (3) the face ( Exodus 10:5 Exodus 10:15 ; Numbers 22:5 Numbers 22:11 ), in Numbers 14:14 , "face to face" (RSV marg., "eye to eye"). "Between the eyes", i.e., the forehead ( Exodus 13:9 Exodus 13:16 ).

The expression ( Proverbs 23:31 ), "when it giveth his colour in the cup," is literally, "when it giveth out [or showeth] its eye." The beads or bubbles of wine are thus spoken of. "To set the eyes" on any one is to view him with favour ( Genesis 44:21 ; Job 24:23 ; Jeremiah 39:12 ). This word is used figuratively in the expressions an "evil eye" ( Matthew 20:15 ), a "bountiful eye" ( Proverbs 22:9 ), "haughty eyes" ( (6:17 marg.), "wanton eyes" ( Isaiah 3:16 ), "eyes full of adultery" ( 2 Peter 2:14 ), "the lust of the eyes" ( 1 John 2:16 ). Christians are warned against "eye-service" ( Ephesians 6:6 ; Colossians 3:22 ). Men were sometimes punished by having their eyes put out ( 1 Samuel 11:2 ; Samson, Judges 16:21 ; Zedekiah, 2 Kings 25:7 ).

The custom of painting the eyes is alluded to in 2 Kings 9:30 , RSV; Jeremiah 4:30 ; Ezekiel 23:40 , a custom which still prevails extensively among Eastern women.