Lexical Summary babah: Apple (of the eye) Original Word: בָּבָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance apple of the eye Feminine active participle of an unused root meaning to hollow out; something hollowed (as a gate), i.e. Pupil of the eye -- apple (of the eye). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition the apple (of the eye) NASB Translation apple (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [בָּבָה] noun feminine only בָּבַת עֵינוֺ Zechariah 2:12 the apple of his eye (Aramaic  ; בָּבָא gate ᵑ7 Esther 5:14; Thes below נבב to which Ges gives sense perforate, hence opening of eye; but compare Arabic   pupil of eye, perhaps =  Dozy49 babe, baby, bébé (imitating infant's prattle) i.e. child of the eye; see Hi St, Fl in ChWBi. 419 b; compare אישׁוֺן ?). Topical Lexicon Meaning and ImageryThe word paints the picture of the “pupil” or “apple” of the eye—the tiny, vulnerable spot that must be carefully guarded. In Scripture the eye often symbolizes affection, knowledge, and protection; by focusing on the pupil, the oracle stresses what one defends most fiercely. Biblical Occurrence Zechariah 2:8: “For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘After His glory has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye’”. Here בָּבָה refers to the “apple” in the phrase “apple of His eye.” Historical Context Zechariah ministered to the post-exilic community around 520 BC. Surrounded by hostile neighbors and struggling to rebuild Jerusalem, the remnant needed assurance of God’s personal commitment. By calling Zion the apple of His eye, the Lord affirmed that any assault on them was as intolerable as an assault on His own sight. The imagery promised divine retribution on plundering nations and stirred courage for the rebuilding effort. Comparison with Other Eye-Imagery Other passages use אִישׁוֹן (“ishon”) for “pupil” (Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalm 17:8; Proverbs 7:2; Lamentations 2:18). Though the vocabulary differs, the theological theme is consistent: God cherishes and shields His people with the same sensitivity with which a person instinctively shields the eye. Theological Themes 1. Covenant Devotion. The metaphor binds God’s commitment to Israel to His very self. Their wellbeing is not peripheral but central to His purposes. Prophetic Outlook Zechariah’s oracle points forward to a time when “many nations will join themselves to the LORD” (Zechariah 2:11). The safeguarding of the “apple” ensures the preservation of Israel for messianic fulfillment, ultimately blessing the nations through the seed of Abraham and climaxing in the reign of Christ. Ministry Application • Pastoral Protection: Underscores a shepherd’s duty to guard the congregation, reflecting God’s own guardianship (Acts 20:28). Related Texts Apple of the eye—Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalm 17:8; Proverbs 7:2 God’s jealousy—Exodus 34:14; Zechariah 8:2 Divine protection—Psalm 121:4-8; John 10:28-29 Forms and Transliterations בְּבָבַ֥ת בבבת bə·ḇā·ḇaṯ bəḇāḇaṯ bevaVatLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Zechariah 2:8 HEB: בָּכֶ֔ם נֹגֵ֖עַ בְּבָבַ֥ת עֵינֽוֹ׃ NAS: you, touches the apple of His eye. KJV: you toucheth the apple of his eye. INT: touches touches the apple of his eye 1 Occurrence |
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