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עַיִן

𐤏𐤉𐤍

ʻayin

H5870 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עין to see, to watch, to be visible

Definition

The anatomical organ of sight (eye), the faculty or act of seeing, or a symbolic representation of perception, attention, or presence. In some contexts, denotes figuratively a source (such as a spring, 'eye' of water), or the aspect/face of something (e.g., surface, appearance), reflecting the extension of 'ayin from its literal sense to more abstract or metaphorical uses.

Semantic Range

eye (anatomical organ); sight/perception; figurative eye (attention, presence, oversight); opinion/view (as in 'in the eye of'); surface/appearance; spring/fountain (source, especially of water); face/aspect (rare, extended use)

Root / Etymology

Root: ע-י-ן; The root עין carries the basic idea of 'eye, sight'. In Hebrew, the noun עַיִן primarily means 'eye', deriving from the bodily organ and extending metaphorically to aspects of seeing, watching, or being visible. In Aramaic, as in Daniel and Ezra, the form is the same or very similar and carries identical or closely related meanings.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (Daniel, Ezra), עַיִן is used for the anatomical eye and the act of seeing, mirroring the usage in biblical Hebrew. The noun may also appear in idioms (e.g., 'in the eyes of' to mean 'in the opinion of' or 'as seen by') or to refer to a spring or fountain, as 'the eye of water,' though this is much more prevalent in Hebrew than in the Aramaic sections. Metaphorical use is common in both languages, e.g., to indicate watchfulness or presence of a deity or ruler. Standard English translations ('eye') generally capture the main sense, but may miss figurative nuances or physical locations (as 'spring'). In ancient Near Eastern context, 'eye' imagery was also symbolic for knowledge, protection, or attention.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to עַיִן; an eye; eye.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עין (ʿ-y-n) — eye, seeing, watching, visibility

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2704 חֲצַר עֵינָן Spring-Eyed One
H3282 יַעַן because
H4599 מַעְיָן the springs
H5770 עָוַן the hostile-watching one
H5869 עַיִן eyes

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5870-02 עַיְנִ֜ין ayenin ANcfpa eyes eyes 1
H5870-03 כְּ/עַיְנֵ֤י keayeney AR/Ncfpc like-eyes-of like eyes of 1
H5870-04 וְ/עַיְנִ֣ין veayenin AC/Ncfpa and eyes and eyes 1
H5870-01 עַיְנַ֣/י ayenay ANcfsc/Sp1cs my-eyes my eye 1
H5870-05 וְ/עֵ֣ין veeyn AC/Ncfsc but the eye and there is no 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5870-01 Daniel 4:31 עַיְנַ֣/י ayenay ANcfsc/Sp1cs my-eyes my eye
H5870-02 Daniel 7:8 עַיְנִ֜ין ayenin ANcfpa eyes eyes
H5870-03 Daniel 7:8 כְּ/עַיְנֵ֤י keayeney AR/Ncfpc like-eyes-of like eyes of
H5870-04 Daniel 7:20 וְ/עַיְנִ֣ין veayenin AC/Ncfpa and eyes and eyes
H5870-05 Ezra 5:5 וְ/עֵ֣ין veeyn AC/Ncfsc but the eye and there is no
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