Texts in Conversation
Proverbs 29:13 says God gives light to the eyes, and Psalm 38 grieves that the light of the eyes has gone. Each reflects an ancient belief that the eyes create their own light in order to make vision possible.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Proverbs 29:13
Hebrew Bible
11 A fool lets fly with all his temper, but a wise person keeps it back. 12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his ministers will be wicked. 13 The poor person and the oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives light to the eyes of them both. 14 If a king judges the poor in truth, his throne will be established forever. 15 A rod and reproof impart wisdom,but a child who is unrestrained brings shame to his mother.
Psalms 38:10
Hebrew Bible
8 I am numb with pain and severely battered; I groan loudly because of the anxiety I feel. 9 O Lord, you understand my heart’s desire; my groaning is not hidden from you. 10 My heart beats quickly; my strength leaves me. The light of my eyes is not with me.19 11 Because of my condition, even my friends and acquaintances keep their distance; my neighbors stand far away. 12 Those who seek my life try to entrap me; those who want to harm me speak destructive words. All day long they say deceitful things.
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Notes and References
... Expressions in the Old Testament imply that the Jews thought of the eye as having its own light. 'The light of my eyes – it also has gone from me' (Psalm 38[27]:10), 'The light of the eyes rejoices the heart' (Proverbs 15:30), 'The Lord gives light to the eyes' (Proverbs 29:13). In Tobit 10:5 we read: 'my child, that I let you go, you who are the light of my eyes'. Though these expressions could be interpreted metaphorically, the point of reference relies on common knowledge of the functioning of the eye. In eight places we read that eyes became darkened (Genesis 27:1; 48:10; Deuteronomy 34:7; 1 Samuel 3:2; Job 17:7; Psalm 69:23; Lamentations 5:17; Zechariah 11:17). The most natural explanation for this metaphor is to recognise the correlation between the eye and the sun. As the heavenly source of light darkens, so too can the bodily source of light dim ...
Viljoen, Francois P.
The eye as the lamp of the body (Matthew 6:22-23)
(p. 3) HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 2009
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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