Lectionary Calendar

Thursday, July 3rd, 2025
the Week of Proper 8 / Ordinary 13

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Bible Dictionaries
Apple of the Eye

Holman Bible Dictionary

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An English expression that refers to the pupil of the eye and therefore to something very precious. Three different Hebrew words or phrases are rendered as the apple of the eye: (1) the word in Deuteronomy 32:10 and Proverbs 7:2 literally means “little man” and evidently refers to the reflection of a person in the eye of another; (2) the word in Psalm 17:8 and Lamentations 2:18 (KJV) literally means “the daughter of the eye” with possibly the same significance as (1); and (3) the word in Zechariah 2:8 literally means “gate.” The reference in Lamentations 2:18 is to the pupil of the eye as the source of tears; the other references are metaphorical of something that is precious.

Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Apple of the Eye'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hbd/a/apple-of-the-eye.html. 1991.

Bible Dictionaries Apple of the Eye

Holman Bible Dictionary

Bible Dictionaries
Apple of the Eye