.jpg)
Big Idea: A brief topical study on how eyes are mentioned often in the Bible with the issue of sight being so much more than physical.
Losing sight is hard
This summer my husband, Bob, lost clear vision in an eye while watching a movie. It was a detached retina. A very serious thing that could lead to blindness!
After emergency surgery, the healing has taken weeks with great restrictions to his life right now. His eye is getting better, but it is still not back to normal.
I had cataract surgery in February. It too was sudden. My other eye has rapidly digressed too. I will have the next cataract surgery soon!
 |
| Eye scan watercolor DWido |
A friend quipped, “I’ll bet you’ve been studying ‘eyes’ in the Bible.”
Well, no, I hadn’t. But I got right to it!
Turns out the Bible has a LOT to say about the eyes.
A topical study on eyes
The old-fashioned way: Look up words like “eyes” and “sight” in a concordance. Check out a Bible Dictionary or Encyclopedia. List your observations of various categories of eye usage.
See post on How to Use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance.
See post on Topical Bible Dictionaries, printed versions.
A more modern way: Use the search feature on an electronic Bible like YouVersion or Tecarta for usage of “eyes,” “eyes lifted up,” “eyes downcast,” “sight.” Again, make observations.
A more modern way: Use the search feature on an electronic Bible like YouVersion or Tecarta for usage of “eyes,” “eyes lifted up,” “eyes downcast,” “sight.” Again, make observations.
See post on How can a Bible Concordance help me? Which also has information on electronic Bible searches.
See post on Five Bible Hub Tips for Beginners. Point #3 is about topical resources and searches.
This method is similar to the old-fashioned way but you can add a phrase to the search more easily.
The AI way: Ask “When does the Bible say to ‘lift up your eyes?’” “What does ‘downcast eyes’ refer to in the Bible?” “What does the Bible teach about eyes?
I decided to do each one of these methods. Truth be told, I did an AI search first. It was insightful and uplifting.
This was too easy.
AI is useful but it is so necessary to know how to study the Bible on your own. It should be a lifelong craft. This is why my blog exists. To help people get into the Word of God, the Bible, on their own.
The word “eye/s” occurs in the ESV (English Standard Version) 594 times. “Sight” 276 times. It is mentioned often.
Other times it refers to spiritual eyes. The eyes of man as well as the eyes of God.
Sometimes the Bible says to lift up our eyes. This is often associated with something good that God is about to do!
Both Psalm 19 and Psalm119 beautifully mention the role of the eyes for reading the Bible.
_____________
Previous post: AI and Bible Study 3 For Bible Study Leaders
This method is similar to the old-fashioned way but you can add a phrase to the search more easily.
The AI way: Ask “When does the Bible say to ‘lift up your eyes?’” “What does ‘downcast eyes’ refer to in the Bible?” “What does the Bible teach about eyes?
Don’t always choose the easy way
I decided to do each one of these methods. Truth be told, I did an AI search first. It was insightful and uplifting.
This was too easy.
AI is useful but it is so necessary to know how to study the Bible on your own. It should be a lifelong craft. This is why my blog exists. To help people get into the Word of God, the Bible, on their own.
What does the Bible say about “eyes?”
The word “eye/s” occurs in the ESV (English Standard Version) 594 times. “Sight” 276 times. It is mentioned often.
Sometimes this refers to the physical eyes looking at something, or eyes being healed by Jesus.
“Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked.” Genesis 18:2
“Jesus laid his hands on [the man’s] eyes…” Mark 8:25.
Other times it refers to spiritual eyes. The eyes of man as well as the eyes of God.
“The eyes of your heart.” Ephesians 1:18
“For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord.” Proverbs 5:21.
Sometimes the Bible says to lift up our eyes. This is often associated with something good that God is about to do!
It may be a physical provision, like providing Abraham with a ram. (Genesis 22:13).
It may be a reminder to look to God to strengthen us. (Psalm 121:1-2).
It may be for spiritual perspective.
"Lift up your eyes and look to the fields that are ripe for harvest." (John 4:35).
It sometimes suggest to look up in prayer. (John 17:1).
When the Bible talks about eyes downcast, it may be about grief, discouragement, humility or a posture of repentance. (Psalm 42:5).
Curiously the Bible often mentions the eyes to talk about the spiritual condition.
- The eye is the lamp of the body. (Matthew 6:22-23). It illuminates what we take in, what we focus on.
- A gateway for sin. Think of that children’s song “Oh be careful little eyes what you see.” (I John 2:16. Psalm 101:3)
- Arrogance is sometimes revealed in the eyes. Haughty eyes. (Proverbs 6:6-7)
- Spiritually blind eyes, vs open to God. “Open my eyes that I may see…” (Psalm 119:18)
- Limited spiritual vision on earth, heavenly understanding will be clear. (I Corinthians 13:12)
Keep searching the Scriptures!
Both Psalm 19 and Psalm119 beautifully mention the role of the eyes for reading the Bible.
“The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.” Psalm 19:8 NIV
“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” Psalm 119:15
_____________
Previous post: AI and Bible Study 3 For Bible Study Leaders
Upcoming post: A tool to compare a verse in many Bible translations
_________________
Reflect:
Think about how your eyes, both physically and spiritually, have had an impact on your walk with God.
· Have your eyes struggled with seeing wrong things?
· Have you noticed recently the good things God has for you?
· Has the Bible been radiant to your soul?
