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עַ֫יִן (a.yin)

a.yin

eye; Fountain (Gate); Fountain of; eye: seeing; eye: appearance; eye: before(the eyes)

H5869 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 715 verses

H:N-F

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
715 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:N-F

Word Overview

The Hebrew noun ayin primarily means "eye," referring to the physical organ of sight. However, it frequently extends to describe mental or spiritual perception, such as when scripture speaks of the "desire of the eyes" or God’s watchful gaze over the land. This usage highlights how ancient Hebrew thought linked physical seeing with inner understanding and attention.

A notable secondary meaning is "spring" or "fountain," referring to a source of water. This semantic shift likely arises from the visual similarity between a bubbling spring and an eye, or perhaps from the idea of a source that "looks out." Specific springs like En Rogel near Jerusalem are named using this word, grounding the metaphor in real geography.

The term also appears in idioms like "an eye for an eye," emphasizing justice and proportionality. In these contexts, ayin represents not just sight but value and equivalence. This dual capacity to denote both a sensory organ and a vital source underscores its central role in biblical imagery regarding perception, provision, and divine oversight.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Hebrew word ayin covers both the physical eye and the spiritual sight that comes with it. In Genesis, when Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened, they did not just see fruit; they saw their own vulnerability for the first time. This shift from simple observation to deep awareness shows how our perception shapes our experience of reality.

God often speaks of finding favor in His eyes, a phrase that suggests careful attention rather than casual glance. When Hagar was lost in the wilderness, God opened her eyes to see a well that had always been there. This reminds us that divine provision is often present even when we cannot perceive it. We are invited to trust that He sees our struggles and provides what we need.

Physical sight connects us to the world, but spiritual sight connects us to His care. Whether you feel seen or overlooked, this word points to a God who notices the details of your life. It is a promise that no circumstance is hidden from His view, and no need goes unnoticed by Him.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 715 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • in/ [the] eyes of135×
  • in/ view/ your69×
  • eyes/ your64×
  • eyes/ my43×
  • eyes/ his41×
  • to/ [the] eyes of37×
  • in/ view/ his31×
  • in/ view/ my23×
  • [the] eyes of23×
  • eyes20×
  • eye/ my18×
  • to/ eyes/ your15×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • בְּ/עֵינֵ֣י78×
  • בְּ/עֵינֵ֥י39×
  • עֵ֣ין14×
  • לְ/עֵינֵ֖י14×
  • בְּ/עֵינָ֑י/ו13×
  • בְּ/עֵינֶ֔י/ךָ13×
  • בְּ/עֵינֵ֖י11×
  • עֵינַ/י֙10×
  • עֵינֵ֣י10×
  • בְּ/עֵינֶ֙י/ךָ֙10×
  • עֵינֶ֖י/ךָ9×
  • בְּ/עֵינֶ֖י/ךָ9×

Key Verses

  • Genesis 3:7
    Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves.

    This verse marks the moment human perception shifts from innocence to self-awareness, showing how 'eyes opened' brings knowledge of vulnerability.

  • Genesis 6:8
    But Noah found favor in Yahweh’s eyes.

    The phrase 'found favor in Yahweh’s eyes' uses the word to denote divine attention and grace toward Noah specifically.

  • Genesis 16:7
    Yahweh’s angel found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain on the way to Shur.

    Here the related sense of 'fountain' appears, grounding the narrative in a physical source of life for Hagar in the wilderness.

  • Genesis 21:19
    God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, filled the container with water, and gave the boy a drink.

    God actively opening Hagar’s eyes demonstrates His role in restoring spiritual and practical sight during moments of despair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word ayin mean?

Ayin primarily means 'eye,' referring to the physical organ of sight. It also extends to mental perception, spiritual insight, and occasionally denotes a spring or fountain of water due to visual similarities.

How is ayin different from other words for seeing?

While other verbs describe the act of looking, ayin as a noun often carries weight regarding perception, value, and divine oversight. It appears in idioms like 'favor in his eyes,' indicating how one is regarded.

Why does ayin sometimes mean fountain?

The connection likely arises from the visual similarity between a bubbling spring and an eye, or the idea of a source that 'looks out' into the land. This dual meaning appears in place names like En Rogel.

Every Occurrence (715 verses across 35 books)

Genesis 74 verses
Genesis 3:5

for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Genesis 3:6

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be…

Genesis 3:7

Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for…

Genesis 6:8

But Noah found favor in Yahweh’s eyes.

Genesis 13:10

Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere, before Yahweh…

Genesis 13:14

Yahweh said to Abram, after Lot was separated from him, “Now, lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are,…

Genesis 16:4

He went in to Hagar, and she conceived. When she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

Genesis 16:5

Sarai said to Abram, “This wrong is your fault. I gave my servant into your bosom, and when she saw that she had…

Genesis 16:6

But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your hand. Do to her whatever is good in your eyes.” Sarai dealt…

Genesis 16:7

Yahweh’s angel found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain on the way to Shur.

Genesis 18:2

He lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw that three men stood near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them from the…

Genesis 18:3

and said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please don’t go away from your servant.

Genesis 19:8

See now, I have two virgin daughters. Please let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them what seems good to…

Genesis 19:14

Lot went out, and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters, and said, “Get up! Get out of this…

Genesis 19:19

See now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your loving kindness, which you have shown…

Genesis 20:15

Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you. Dwell where it pleases you.”

Genesis 20:16

To Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. Behold, it is for you a covering of…

Genesis 21:11

The thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight on account of his son.

Genesis 21:12

God said to Abraham, “Don’t let it be grievous in your sight because of the boy, and because of your servant. In all…

Genesis 21:19

God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, filled the container with water, and gave the boy a drink.

Genesis 22:4

On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place far off.

Genesis 22:13

Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and saw that behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. Abraham…

Genesis 23:11

“No, my lord, hear me. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the presence of the children of…

Genesis 23:18

to Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.

Genesis 24:13

Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.

Genesis 24:16

The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin. No man had known her. She went down to the spring, filled her…

Genesis 24:29

Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban. Laban ran out to the man, to the spring.

Genesis 24:30

When he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister,…

Genesis 24:42

I came today to the spring, and said, ‘Yahweh, the God of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go—

Genesis 24:43

behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will…

Genesis 24:45

Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to…

Genesis 24:63

Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening. He lifted up his eyes and looked. Behold, there were camels…

Genesis 24:64

Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she got off the camel.

Genesis 27:1

When Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son, and said to him, “My…

Genesis 27:12

What if my father touches me? I will seem to him as a deceiver, and I would bring a curse on myself, and not a…

Genesis 28:8

Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan didn’t please Isaac, his father.

Genesis 29:17

Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful in form and attractive.

Genesis 29:20

Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.

Genesis 30:27

Laban said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, stay here, for I have divined that Yahweh has blessed me…

Genesis 30:41

Whenever the stronger of the flock conceived, Jacob laid the rods in front of the eyes of the flock in the watering…

Genesis 31:10

During mating season, I lifted up my eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leaped on the flock…

Genesis 31:12

He said, ‘Now lift up your eyes, and behold, all the male goats which leap on the flock are streaked, speckled, and…

Genesis 31:35

She said to her father, “Don’t let my lord be angry that I can’t rise up before you; for I’m having my period.” He…

Genesis 31:40

This was my situation: in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep fled from my eyes.

Genesis 33:1

Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. He divided the…

Genesis 33:5

He lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, “Who are these with you?” He said, “The children…

Genesis 33:8

Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?” Jacob said, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.”

Genesis 33:10

Jacob said, “Please, no, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present at my hand, because I have…

Genesis 33:15

Esau said, “Let me now leave with you some of the people who are with me.” He said, “Why? Let me find favor in the…

Genesis 34:11

Shechem said to her father and to her brothers, “Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you will tell me I will…

Genesis 34:18

Their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son.

Genesis 37:25

They sat down to eat bread, and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from…

Genesis 38:7

Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in Yahweh’s sight. So Yahweh killed him.

Genesis 38:10

The thing which he did was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and he killed him also.

Genesis 39:4

Joseph found favor in his sight. He ministered to him, and Potiphar made him overseer over his house, and all that he…

Genesis 39:7

After these things, his master’s wife set her eyes on Joseph; and she said, “Lie with me.”

Genesis 39:21

But Yahweh was with Joseph, and showed kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Genesis 41:37

The thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

Genesis 42:24

He turned himself away from them, and wept. Then he returned to them, and spoke to them, and took Simeon from among…

Genesis 43:29

He lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin, his brother, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of…

Genesis 44:21

You said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.’

Genesis 45:5

Now don’t be grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

Genesis 45:12

Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.

Genesis 45:16

The report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” It pleased Pharaoh well, and his…

Genesis 45:20

Also, don’t concern yourselves about your belongings, for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.”

Genesis 46:4

I will go down with you into Egypt. I will also surely bring you up again. Joseph’s hand will close your eyes.”

Genesis 47:19

Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be…

Genesis 47:25

They said, “You have saved our lives! Let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.”

Genesis 47:29

The time came near that Israel must die, and he called his son Joseph, and said to him, “If now I have found favor in…

Genesis 48:10

Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he couldn’t see well. Joseph brought them near to him; and he kissed…

Genesis 48:17

When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him. He held up his father’s…

Genesis 49:12

His eyes will be red with wine, his teeth white with milk.

Genesis 49:22

“Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a spring. His branches run over the wall.

Genesis 50:4

When the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh’s staff, saying, “If now I have found favor in your…

Exodus 26 verses
Leviticus 15 verses
Numbers 36 verses
Deuteronomy 52 verses
Joshua 11 verses
Judges 18 verses
Ruth 4 verses
I Samuel 37 verses
II Samuel 31 verses
I Kings 30 verses
II Kings 44 verses
I Chronicles 11 verses
II Chronicles 29 verses
Ezra 2 verses
Nehemiah 7 verses
Esther 12 verses
Job 43 verses
Psalms 45 verses
Proverbs 48 verses
Ecclesiastes 8 verses
Song of Solomon 6 verses
Isaiah 42 verses
Jeremiah 43 verses
Lamentations 9 verses
Daniel 6 verses
Hosea 1 verse
Joel 1 verse
Amos 3 verses
Micah 2 verses
Habakkuk 1 verse
Zephaniah 1 verse
Haggai 1 verse
Zechariah 14 verses
Malachi 2 verses