Lexical Summary ophthalmos: Eye Original Word: ὀφθαλμός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance eye, sight. From optanomai; the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance) -- eye, sight. see GREEK optanomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a prim. root op- and an uncertain root Definition the eye NASB Translation envy* (1), eye (29), eyes (68), gaze (1), sight (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3788: ὀφθαλμόςὀφθαλμός, ὀφθαλμοῦ, ὁ (from the root, ὀπ, to see; allied to ὄψις, ὄψομαι, etc.; Curtius, § 627), the Sept. for עַיִן (from Homer down), the eye: Matthew 5:38; Matthew 6:22; Mark 9:47; Luke 11:34; John 9:6; 1 Corinthians 12:16; Revelation 7:17; Revelation 21:4, and often; ῤιπῇ ὀφθαλμοῦ, 1 Corinthians 15:52; οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου εἶδον (see the remark in γλῶσσα, 1), Luke 2:30; cf. Luke 4:20; Luke 10:23; Matthew 13:16; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Revelation 1:7; (ἀνέβλεψαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί Matthew 20:34 R G); ἰδεῖν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς, Matthew 13:15; John 12:40; Acts 28:27; ὁρᾶν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς (see ὁράω, 1), 1 John 1:1; ἡ ἐπιθυμία τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν, desire excited by seeing, 1 John 2:16. Since the eye is the index of the mind, the following phrases have arisen: ὀφθαλμός σου πονηρός ἐστιν, i. e. thou art envious, Matthew 20:15; ὀφθαλμός πονηρός, envy, Mark 7:22 (עַיִן רַע, an envious man, Proverbs 23:6; Proverbs 28:22; cf. Sir. 34:13; בְּאָחִיך עֵינֲך רָעָה, thine eye is evil toward thy brother, i. e. thou enviest (grudgest) thy brother, Deuteronomy 15:9; ὀφθαλμός πονηρός φθονερός ἐπ' ἄρτῳ, Sir. 14:10; μή φθονεσάτω σου ὁ ὀφθαλμός, Tobit 4:7; the opposite, ἀγαθός ὀφθαλμός, is used of a willing mind, Sir. 32:10, 12 (Sir. 35:10, 12)); on the other hand, ὀφθαλμός πονηρός in Matthew 6:23 is a diseased, disordered eye, just as we say a bad eye, a bad finger (see πονηρός, 2 a. (where Luke 11:34)). κρατεῖν τούς ὀφθαλμούς τοῦ μή κτλ. (A. V. to hold the eyes i. e.) to prevent one from recognizing another, Luke 24:16; ὑπολαμβάνω τινα ἀπό τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν τίνος, by receiving one to withdraw him from another's sight (A. V. received him out of their sight), Acts 1:9. Metaphorically, of the eyes of the mind, the faculty of knowing: ἐκρύβη ἀπό τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν σου, hidden from thine eyes, i. e. concealed from thee (cf. Buttmann, 320 (274)), Luke 19:42; διδόναι τίνι ὀφθαλμούς τοῦ μή βλέπειν, to crease one to be slow to understand, Romans 11:8 (cf. Buttmann, 267 (230)); τυφλουν τούς ὀφθαλμούς τίνος, John 12:40; 1 John 2:11; σκοτιζονται οἱ ὀφθαλμοί Romans 11:10; πεφωτίσμενοι ὀφθαλμοί τῆς διανοίας (cf. Buttmann, § 145, 6), Ephesians 1:18 Rec.; τῆς καρδίας (as in Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 36, 2 [ET]), ibid. G L T Tr WH; ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς τίνος (פּ בְּעֵינֵי (cf. Buttmann, § 146, 1 at the end)), in the judgment (cf. our view) of one, Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:11; οὐκ ἐστι τί ἀπέναντι τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν τίνος, to neglect a thing (cf. our leave, put, out of sight), Romans 3:18; γυμνόν ἐστι τί τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς τίνος (see γυμνός, 2 a.), Hebrews 4:13; οἱ ὀφθαλμοί τοῦ κυρίου ἐπί δικαίους (namely, επι( (or απο() βλέπουσιν, which is added in Psalm 10:4 Topical Lexicon Frequency and Scope of Usage Ὀφθαλμός is used one hundred times in the Greek New Testament, covering literal sight, figurative perception, moral accountability, corporate imagery, and eschatological hope. The distribution spans every Gospel, Acts, Pauline, General, and Johannine writings, culminating in Revelation, where sight is perfected. The Physical Organ and Messianic Credentials Opening the eyes of the blind was a hallmark of the promised Messiah (Isaiah 35:5). Jesus fulfilled this repeatedly: “Then He touched their eyes and said, ‘According to your faith will it be done to you,’ and their eyes were opened” (Matthew 9:29-30). John devotes an entire chapter to the healing of a man born blind (John 9), emphasizing that only the “light of the world” can give true sight. Such miracles authenticated Jesus’ ministry and foreshadowed the spiritual illumination He provides. Ethical Self-Examination: Plank and Speck Jesus employed the eye to expose hypocrisy: “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3; Luke 6:41-42). The lesson insists on self-scrutiny before correcting others, recognizing that impaired moral vision disqualifies one from clear judgment. The Lamp of the Body: Spiritual Discernment “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” (Matthew 6:22-23; Luke 11:34-35). The condition of one’s inner “eye” determines the influx of light or darkness, linking perception to moral orientation. Singleness of eye—undivided loyalty to God—results in an illuminated life. Desire, Covetousness, and Moral Corruption Mark 7:22 lists the “evil eye” among defiling sins, while 1 John 2:16 warns of “the lust of the eyes.” Covetous glances reveal an idolatrous heart. Jesus’ parable of the vineyard owner confronts envious laborers: “Is your eye envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:15). Ministry application: guard the eyes to guard the heart. Divine Omniscience and Protective Care “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous” (1 Peter 3:12). Hebrews 4:13 adds that nothing is hidden “before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.” Revelation magnifies this truth: Christ’s eyes are “like a blazing fire” (Revelation 1:14; 2:18; 19:12), penetrating all pretense and assuring believers of both scrutiny and security. Judicial Principle and Kingdom Ethic The Mosaic maxim “Eye for eye” (Matthew 5:38) met its fulfillment in Jesus’ call to overcome evil with good. By surrendering the right of retaliation, disciples manifest the Kingdom’s higher righteousness. Conversion and Apostolic Commission Paul’s blinding and healing (Acts 9:8, 18) dramatize the transition from spiritual blindness to sight. Later, he is sent “to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light” (Acts 26:18). Evangelistic ministry continues this apostolic mandate, praying that God “enlighten the eyes of your heart” (Ephesians 1:18). Corporate Imagery: The Body of Christ In 1 Corinthians 12:16-21 the eye represents visibility and guidance within the church body. Each member’s differing function underscores interdependence and the folly of comparison. Eschatological Consolation The final chapters of Revelation assure, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17; 21:4). The redeemed will behold Him face to face, and every sorrow that once filled the eyes with tears will be removed. The Twinkling of an Eye Resurrection hope is compressed into “a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:52). Just as quickly as sight registers light, the dead will be raised imperishable at the last trumpet. Pastoral and Practical Implications • Cultivate clear spiritual vision through Scripture and prayer. Summary Ὀφθαλμός threads through the New Testament as a symbol of perception—physical, moral, and spiritual. It confronts disciples with their need for clear sight, offers assurance of the Lord’s vigilant compassion, and directs hope toward the consummation when eyes will behold the risen Christ in glory. Forms and Transliterations οφθαλμοι οφθαλμοί όφθαλμοί ὀφθαλμοί ὀφθαλμοὶ οφθαλμοις οφθαλμοίς ὀφθαλμοῖς Οφθαλμον οφθαλμόν Ὀφθαλμὸν οφθαλμος οφθαλμός ὀφθαλμός ὀφθαλμὸς οφθαλμου οφθαλμού ὀφθαλμοῦ οφθαλμους οφθαλμούς ὀφθαλμούς ὀφθαλμοὺς οφθαλμοφανώς οφθαλμω οφθαλμώ ὀφθαλμῷ οφθαλμων οφθαλμών ὀφθαλμῶν οφιομάχην ophthalmo ophthalmō ophthalmoi ophthalmoí ophthalmoì ophthalmôi ophthalmō̂i ophthalmois ophthalmoîs Ophthalmon Ophthalmòn ophthalmôn ophthalmōn ophthalmō̂n ophthalmos ophthalmós ophthalmòs ophthalmou ophthalmoû ophthalmous ophthalmoús ophthalmoùsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 5:29 N-NMSGRK: δὲ ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου ὁ NAS: your right eye makes you stumble, KJV: thy right eye offend thee, INT: moreover the eye of you Matthew 5:38 N-AMS Matthew 5:38 N-GMS Matthew 6:22 N-NMS Matthew 6:22 N-NMS Matthew 6:23 N-NMS Matthew 7:3 N-DMS Matthew 7:3 N-DMS Matthew 7:4 N-GMS Matthew 7:4 N-DMS Matthew 7:5 N-GMS Matthew 7:5 N-GMS Matthew 9:29 N-GMP Matthew 9:30 N-NMP Matthew 13:15 N-AMP Matthew 13:15 N-DMP Matthew 13:16 N-NMP Matthew 17:8 N-AMP Matthew 18:9 N-NMS Matthew 18:9 N-AMP Matthew 20:15 N-NMS Matthew 20:33 N-NMP Matthew 21:42 N-DMP Matthew 26:43 N-NMP Mark 7:22 N-NMS Strong's Greek 3788 |
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