Eyes are a recurring theme in the Bible, frequently used to portray different human experiences and emotions. They are seen as windows into the soul, reflecting a person’s character, emotions, and intentions.
What Can Eyes Symbolize in the Bible?
Eyes can symbolize a number of themes within the Bible. They are used to express wisdom, understanding, spiritual insight, and emotional states. Eyes can unveil the innermost feelings of an individual and display the spiritual conditioning of the heart. In the Bible, opening one’s eyes often symbolizes gaining a clearer understanding or spiritual insight.
Who Are the Figures Associated with Eyes in the Bible?
Various biblical figures are associated with eyes, notably David, Solomon, and Jesus. David, the shepherd-turned-king, often spoke of his eyes in relation to his spiritual state. Solomon, known for his wisdom, used the symbolism of eyes to convey understanding and knowledge. Jesus often used the concept of vision and blindness to mark the distinction between the spiritually enlightened and those who were spiritually blind.
Why Are the Sight and Blindness Metaphorical Themes in the Bible?
Sight and blindness are metaphorical themes that are commonly used in the Bible. Sight often symbolizes spiritual insight, enlightenment, guidance, or divine interaction; it can also stand for knowledge and clarity. On the other hand, blindness metaphorically denotes spiritual ignorance, lack of understanding, and disobedience. The Bible often uses these metaphors to demonstrate the spiritual condition of humanity.
Where Do We Find the Use of Eyes in Different Biblical Narratives?
Various biblical narratives employ the motif of eyes in relation to morality, wisdom, and spiritual insight. The story of Adam and Eve is a famous example wherein their eyes are opened upon eating from the tree of knowledge, representing the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of good and evil. The tale of Samson and Delilah also uses eye symbolism; Samson’s eyes are gouged out, representing his spiritual blindness and downfall. Moreover, the healing miracles of Jesus often concentrated on restoring the sight of the blind, demonstrating Jesus’ power over physical and spiritual ailments.
When Are Eyes Used to Illustrate God’s Perception?
The Bible uses eyes to reflect God’s all-seeing and omniscient nature, emphasizing His constant watch over humanity. This concept is iterated in numerous verses where God’s eyes roam the earth, seeing everything, from the righteous acts of men to their misdeeds. By highlighting God’s all-seeing eyes, the Bible underscores the idea of divine Providence and God’s complete knowledge and awareness of every event.
The complex and multifaceted symbolism of eyes in the Bible offers a profound understanding of human nature, spiritual growth, and divine surveillance. Through the frequent use of eye imagery, the Bible encourages its readers to seek wisdom and understanding, to strive for spiritual growth, and to live in a way that is pleasing to God, who sees all. This recurring motif serves as an essential tool in illustrating significant biblical concepts and truths.
Below is the full list of bible verses on eyes (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Eyes
Matthew 6:22
“22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”
Related Themes: Discernment Light Hate Media
Psalm 101:3
“3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.”
1 Samuel 16:7
“7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
Related Themes: Pride Self-Esteem Criticism Vanity Heart
2 Kings 6:17
“17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
Related Themes: Angels
Psalm 119:18
“18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”
Related Themes: Stillness
Luke 11:33-36
“33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.”
Matthew 5:28
“28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Proverbs 20:12
“12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.”
Mark 8:25
“25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.”
Related Themes: Restoration
Matthew 5:29
“29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”
Ephesians 1:16-21
“16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:”
Related Themes: Gratitude Wisdom Thankfulness Gratitude
Proverbs 21:4
“4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.”
Job 31:7
“7 If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;”
Acts 9:18
“18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”
Related Themes: Baptism
Job 31:1
“1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?”
Related Themes: Lust Impurity Self-Control Purity
Psalm 38:10
“10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.”
Psalm 119:37
“37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.”
Psalm 13:2-3
“2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;”
Related Themes: Hopelessness Resentment
1 Corinthians 10:13
“13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Related Themes: Lust Self-Control Addiction Strength Temptation
Ephesians 1:18
“18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,”
Related Themes: Hope Inheritance Homelessness Omnipotence
Psalm 121:1-8
“1 A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”
Related Themes: Loneliness New Beginnings New Life Encouragement Attitude
1 Corinthians 6:18
“18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”
1 Peter 2:24
“24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
Luke 4:18
“18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”
Related Themes: Homelessness Healing Justice Freedom
Luke 11:34
“34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.”
Psalm 32:8
“8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”
Related Themes: Guidance Education Direction Learning Anxiety
Matthew 7:3
“3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”
Related Themes: Criticism Arguing Judging Others Criticism Jewelry
Hebrews 12:2
“2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Related Themes: Holiness Joy Perseverance Patience Faith
1 John 2:16
“16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
Proverbs 15:3
“3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Omnipresence
