In the Bible, the concept of "glances" or "looks" often carries significant weight, symbolizing a range of emotions, intentions, and spiritual truths. The act of looking or glancing can convey love, desire, judgment, or even divine insight. Throughout Scripture, glances are depicted as powerful, capable of revealing the heart's intentions and influencing relationships.

1. Glances of Love and Desire:

The Song of Solomon, a poetic book celebrating marital love, frequently uses the imagery of eyes and glances to express affection and desire. In Song of Solomon 4:9 , the bridegroom declares, "You have captured my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace." Here, a single glance is portrayed as captivating and deeply moving, illustrating the profound connection between the lovers.

2. Glances of Judgment and Disapproval:

In the context of judgment, glances can signify disapproval or discernment. Proverbs 6:12-13 describes a "worthless person, a wicked man," who "winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, and points with his fingers." This passage suggests that deceit and malice can be communicated through subtle, non-verbal cues, including glances.

3. Divine Glances:

The Bible also speaks of God's watchful eyes, which see all things. In Psalm 33:18 , it is written, "Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion." This divine glance is one of protection and care, offering reassurance to the faithful that they are under God's watchful gaze.

4. Glances of Temptation and Sin:

The account of David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11 illustrates how a glance can lead to sin. David's initial look at Bathsheba bathing led to a series of sinful actions, including adultery and murder. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of allowing a glance to foster sinful desires.

5. Glances of Recognition and Revelation:

In the New Testament, glances can also signify recognition and revelation. In Luke 22:61 , after Peter denies Jesus three times, "The Lord turned and looked at Peter." This glance was not one of condemnation but of profound understanding and foreknowledge, leading Peter to remember Jesus' prophecy and to repent.

6. Glances in Parables and Teachings:

Jesus often used the imagery of eyes and sight in His teachings. In Matthew 6:22-23 , He states, "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." Here, the metaphor of the eye as a lamp underscores the importance of spiritual perception and purity.

7. Cultural and Historical Context:

In biblical times, the eyes were considered windows to the soul, and glances were powerful communicators of unspoken messages. The cultural understanding of eyes and glances in the ancient Near East adds depth to the biblical narratives, where a look could convey respect, submission, or challenge.

Throughout Scripture, glances are more than mere physical acts; they are laden with spiritual and relational significance. Whether expressing love, conveying judgment, or revealing divine truth, the act of looking is a potent symbol in the biblical narrative.

Christ's Glances at the Future Progress of his Kingdom, and at his ...
... SAMARITAN WOMAN. (John, iv.) Section 125. Christ's Glances at the future
Progress of his Kingdom, and at his own Death. After Christ ...
/.../section 125 christs glances at.htm

At the Marriage Feast
... A suppressed excitement pervades the company. Little groups converse together in
eager but quiet tones, and wondering glances are turned upon the Son of Mary. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 15 at the marriage.htm

The Agony, and the Consoler
... But now the streets were deserted, and, if any were seen abroad, they hurried along
with timid and stealthy tread, like ghosts, casting furtive glances to the ...
/.../chapter iii the agony and.htm

Bossuet -- the Funeral Sermon on the Death of the Grande Conde
... reserved and dignified, but as he moved forward and his passionate utterance captured
his hearers, "he watched their rising emotion, the rooted glances of a ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/bossuet the funeral sermon.htm

Chapter xx
... that might be caused Sarah when the news of what transpired becomes known and those
of her own household cast scornful and embarrassing glances upon Sarah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xx.htm

Useful Phrases
... baleful glances. balmy fragrance. ... euphuistic affectations [euphuistic = affected
elegance of language]. evanescent glances [evanescent = vanishing like vapor]. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section i useful phrases.htm

Wesley -- God's Love to Fallen Man
... Nay, it were well if the charge rested here: but it is certain it does not. It can
not be denied that it frequently glances from Adam to his Creator. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/wesley gods love to.htm

First Day in New York
... A few people, going to the Low Mass, I should judge by the solemnity of their walk,
men and women, sent curious glances at the stranger dressed in the robes on ...
/.../chapter iii first day in.htm

The Races --A Letter
... I wandered about, looking at the live flower beds, and giving passing glances into
booths, which I longed to enter, and hear what sort of human speech might be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xv the racesa letter.htm

Nothing but Leaves
... Where shall mercy direct its fall? See, my brethren, it glances not upon a man,
but lights upon an unconscious, unsuffering thing"a tree. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/nothing but leaves.htm

Glances (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Glances (2 Occurrences). ... Behold, he stands behind our wall!
He looks in at the windows. He glances through the lattice. (WEB). ...
/g/glances.htm - 6k

Glance (5 Occurrences)

/g/glance.htm - 8k

Lattice (6 Occurrences)
... Behold, he stands behind our wall! He looks in at the windows. He glances through
the lattice. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/lattice.htm - 9k

Glanceth (1 Occurrence)

/g/glanceth.htm - 6k

Windows (27 Occurrences)
... Behold, he stands behind our wall! He looks in at the windows. He glances through
the lattice. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/windows.htm - 15k

Backward (39 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) Alt. of Backwards. 2. (a.) Directed to the back or rear; as, backward
glances. 3. (a.) Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath. ...
/b/backward.htm - 18k

Roe (21 Occurrences)
... hart. Behold, he stands behind our wall! He looks in at the windows. He glances
through the lattice. (WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS YLT). Song ...
/r/roe.htm - 15k

Almsgiving (3 Occurrences)
... ie "So far from trumpeting your almsgiving before the public, do not even let it
be known to yourself." Jesus here, Calvin well says, "silently glances at a ...
/a/almsgiving.htm - 17k

Alms (13 Occurrences)
... ie "So far from trumpeting your almsgiving before the public, do not even let it
be known to yourself." Jesus here, Calvin well says, "silently glances at a ...
/a/alms.htm - 22k

Looks (76 Occurrences)
... a young hart. Behold, he stands behind our wall! He looks in at the windows.
He glances through the lattice. (WEB). Song of Songs ...
/l/looks.htm - 28k

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