892. babah

Lexicon

babah: Apple (of the eye)

Original Word: בָּבָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: babah
Pronunciation: bah-BAH
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-baw')
Definition: Apple (of the eye)
Meaning: something hollowed, pupil of the eye

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 Origin
of 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 ChWB^{i. 419 b}; compare אישׁוֺן ?).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to hollow out.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Greek Number 3788: ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos) • eye
• Strong's Greek Number 5168: τρύπημα (trypēma) • a hole, an opening, often used metaphorically to refer to the eye or a small opening.

The use of בָּבָה in the Hebrew Bible underscores the importance of the eye as a symbol of protection and care, reflecting the broader biblical theme of God's attentive and loving oversight of His people.

Usage: The term בָּבָה is used metaphorically in the Hebrew Bible to refer to the pupil of the eye, emphasizing its preciousness and vulnerability.

Context: The Hebrew word בָּבָה (bāḇāh) appears in the context of describing the pupil of the eye, which is often considered the most sensitive and protected part of the body. In ancient Hebrew culture, the eye was seen as a window to the soul and a vital organ requiring protection. The term is used metaphorically to convey the idea of something cherished and guarded. In Deuteronomy 32:10, the phrase "apple of His eye" is used to describe God's care and protection over His people, illustrating the deep affection and vigilance He has for them. This imagery is powerful, as it conveys the notion of divine guardianship and the preciousness of the relationship between God and His people.

Forms and Transliterations

בְּבָבַ֥ת בבבת bə·ḇā·ḇaṯ bəḇāḇaṯ bevaVat

Englishman'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

Strong's Hebrew 892
1 Occurrence

bə·ḇā·ḇaṯ — 1 Occ.