Eye

Eye (עִיַן a'yin, from the idea of flowing [see below]; ὀφθαλμός). In most languages this important organ is used by figurative application, as the symbol of a large number of objects and ideas. In the East such applications of the word "eye" have always been uncommonly numerous, and they were so among the Hebrews. It may be serviceable to distinguish the following uses of the word, few of which are common among us except so far as they have become so through the translation of the Bible. (See Gesenius, Hebrews Lex.; Wemyss's Symbol. Dict.)

(1.) A fountain. This use of the word has already been indicated. See AIN. It probably originated from the eye being regarded as the fountain of tears.

(2.) Color, as in the phrase "and the eye (color) of the manna was as the eve (color) of ladellium" (Nu 11:7). This originated, pearhaps, in the eye being the part of the body which exhibits different colors in different persons.