Winking
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In biblical literature, the act of winking is often associated with deceit, malice, or mischievous intent. The Bible provides several references to winking, primarily in the context of warning against deceitful behavior and the intentions of the wicked.

Old Testament References

The Book of Proverbs, known for its wisdom literature, addresses the act of winking in relation to the behavior of the wicked. Proverbs 6:12-13 states, "A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers." Here, winking is depicted as part of a broader pattern of deceitful and malicious behavior. The passage suggests that winking is a non-verbal cue used by the wicked to signal their dishonest intentions.

Similarly, Proverbs 10:10 warns, "He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin." This verse highlights the negative consequences of deceitful actions, indicating that those who engage in such behavior will ultimately face trouble and downfall. The act of winking is thus portrayed as a subtle but significant indicator of one's character and intentions.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, non-verbal communication, such as winking, played a significant role in interpersonal interactions. Winking could be used to convey secretive messages or to signal complicity in a scheme. The biblical warnings against winking reflect a broader cultural understanding of the importance of integrity and transparency in communication.

Moral and Ethical Implications

From a moral and ethical standpoint, the biblical references to winking serve as a caution against engaging in deceitful practices. The Bible consistently emphasizes the value of honesty and integrity, urging believers to avoid behaviors that could lead to misunderstanding or harm. Winking, as a symbol of hidden motives, is discouraged in favor of open and truthful communication.

Theological Reflections

Theologically, the warnings against winking align with the biblical theme of righteousness versus wickedness. The Scriptures call believers to live lives that reflect God's truth and righteousness, avoiding actions that could lead to sin or cause harm to others. Winking, as a representation of deceit, stands in opposition to the biblical call for purity of heart and sincerity in relationships.

In summary, the act of winking in the Bible is associated with deceit and malice, serving as a warning against engaging in dishonest behavior. The biblical texts encourage believers to pursue integrity and transparency, reflecting the character of God in their interactions with others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Wink.
Library

Psalm XXXV.
... "Who hate Me without a cause;" that is, whom I never hurt; "winking with their eyes"
(ver.19): that is, pretending ... What is, "winking with their eyes"? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxv.htm

Twelfth Day. Fidelity in Rebuke.
... But neither, for the sake of a false peace, must we compromise fidelity;
even friendship is too dearly purchased by winking at sin. ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/twelfth day fidelity in rebuke.htm

Ridicule of the Solemnities of the Greeks.
... I have no mind to stand agape at a number of singers, nor do I desire to be affected
in sympathy with a man when he is winking and gesticulating in an ...
/.../tatians address to the greeks/chapter xxii ridicule of the solemnities.htm

But Some one Will Say, Does He not Know Without a Monitor Both ...
... difficulties are, and what is meet for our interest, so that it seems in some measure
superfluous to solicit him by our prayers, as if he were winking, or even ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 3 but some one.htm

The Portrait of a Drunkyard
... The word rendered in the Authorised Version and Revised Version 'colour' is literally
'eye,' and probably means the beaded bubbles winking on the surface. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the portrait of a drunkyard.htm

Why God Taught the Same Things by the Prophets as by Moses.
... For the daughters of Zion have walked with a high neck, both sporting by
winking with their eyes, and sweeping along their dresses. ...
/.../chapter xxvii why god taught the.htm

How Sowers of Strifes and Peacemakers are to be Admonished.
... strifes outwardly. He is rightly described too as winking with his eyes,
speaking with his finger, beating with his foot. For it ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxiii how sowers of.htm

Excursus on the Word Homousios.
... Athanasius describes with much wit and penetration how he saw them nodding and winking
to each other when the orthodox proposed expressions which they had ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the word homousios.htm

The Savanna of Aripo
... Calycophyllum, a Tabernaemontana or a Faramea filling the air afar off with the
fragrance of their blossoms; there, a graceful Heliconia winking at you from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xii the savanna of.htm

On Dress.
... shall quote from the LXX: "Thus saith the Lord, because the daughters of Sion are
haughty, and have walked with an outstretched neck, and with winking of the ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/on dress.htm

Thesaurus
Winking (2 Occurrences)
... n.) of Wink. Multi-Version Concordance Winking (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 6:13 Winking
with his eyes, speaking with his feet, Directing with his fingers, (YLT). ...
/w/winking.htm - 7k

Kicketh (6 Occurrences)
... talkative fool kicketh. (YLT). Proverbs 10:10 Whoso is winking the eye giveth
grief, And a talkative fool kicketh. (YLT). Hosea 4:14 ...
/k/kicketh.htm - 8k

Winks (3 Occurrences)

/w/winks.htm - 7k

Wink (2 Occurrences)
... WINK. wink (razam, literally, "to roll the eyes"): The act or habit of winking was
evidently considered to be evil both in its motives and in its results. ...
/w/wink.htm - 9k

Winketh (2 Occurrences)

/w/winketh.htm - 6k

Talkative (5 Occurrences)
... commands, And a talkative fool kicketh. (YLT). Proverbs 10:10 Whoso is winking
the eye giveth grief, And a talkative fool kicketh. (YLT). ...
/t/talkative.htm - 7k

Directing (4 Occurrences)
... stringed lyre, to lead. (See NIV). Proverbs 6:13 Winking with his eyes,
speaking with his feet, Directing with his fingers, (YLT). ...
/d/directing.htm - 7k

Chattering (2 Occurrences)
... chattering fool will fall. (WEB NIV). Proverbs 10:10 One winking with the eye
causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall. (WEB NIV). ...
/c/chattering.htm - 7k

Causes (89 Occurrences)
... shame. (WEB). Proverbs 10:10 One winking with the eye causes sorrow, but
a chattering fool will fall. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs ...
/c/causes.htm - 33k

Fool (95 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 10:10 One winking
with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall. ...
/f/fool.htm - 47k

Resources
What does the Bible say about flirting? | GotQuestions.org

Winking: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Winking (2 Occurrences)

Proverbs 6:13
Winking with his eyes, speaking with his feet, Directing with his fingers,
(YLT)

Proverbs 10:10
One winking with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall.
(WEB YLT)

Subtopics

Winking

Related Terms

Winking (2 Occurrences)

Winneth (1 Occurrence)

Wink (2 Occurrences)

Fingers (22 Occurrences)

Motions (2 Occurrences)

Perversities (2 Occurrences)

Compresses (1 Occurrence)

Signals (1 Occurrence)

Plot (53 Occurrences)

Finger (35 Occurrences)

Bent (107 Occurrences)

Eye (145 Occurrences)

Winketh
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