Original Word: עַפְעַף
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: `aph`aph
Pronunciation: ah-fahf
Phonetic Spelling: (af-af')
KJV: dawning, eye-lid
NASB: eyelids, breaking, gaze
Word Origin: [from H5774 (עוּף - To fly)]

1. an eyelash (as fluttering)
2. (figuratively) morning ray

dawning, eye-lid

From uwph; an eyelash (as fluttering); figuratively, morning ray -- dawning, eye-lid.

see HEBREW uwph

Word Origin
from uph
Definition
eyelid
NASB Translation
breaking (1), eyelids (8), gaze (1).

[עַפְעַף] noun masculine^{Jer 9:17} eyelid (Late Hebrew id.; from fluttering ?); — only dual construct (see below) and suffix עַפְעַמַּי Job 16:16; Psalm 132:4, עַפְעַמֶּיךָ Proverbs 4:25; Proverbs 6:4, etc.; — eyelids, usually nearly = eyes (6 t. "" עֵינַיִם), as weeping, עַפְעַמֵּינוּ Jeremiah 9:17; closed in sleep Psalm 132:4; Proverbs 6:4, compare of צַלְמָוֶת Job 16:16; looking Proverbs 4:25 compare Psalm 11:4 (of ׳י, testing men); used seductively by wanton women Proverbs 6:25; raised, in arrogance (' superciliousness ' Proverbs 30:13; figurative עַפְעַמֵּישָֿׁ֑חַר Job 3:9 eyelids of dawn, break of dawn, Job 41:10 (simile).

Physical and Poetic Imagery

The Hebrew Scriptures use עַפְעַף to paint striking pictures of movement from darkness to light. Job curses the day of his birth by pleading that it “may not see the dawn’s first light” (Job 3:9), a poetic reference to the “eyelids of the morning” remaining shut. In the description of Leviathan, “his eyes are like the rays of dawn” (Job 41:18), suggesting the creature’s terrifying brilliance as eyelids open to pour forth light. These images treat the eyelid as a hinge between night and day, concealment and revelation.

Divine Watchfulness

Psalm 11:4 declares, “The LORD is in His holy temple… His eyes are watching closely; His eyelids examine the sons of men.” The anthropomorphic mention of the LORD’s eyelids underscores His penetrating scrutiny: nothing slips past His gaze, whether they are fully open or seemingly at rest. The verse reminds readers that divine observation is continuous, intimate, and righteous.

Human Vigilance and Resolve

Several texts use eyelids to exhort alertness and purpose. The pilgrim-king pledges, “I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids” (Psalm 132:4) until he finds a dwelling place for the LORD, illustrating consecrated determination. Proverbs echoes the call: “Allow no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids” (Proverbs 6:4), urging decisive action to escape financial entanglement. A positive counterpart appears in Proverbs 4:25, where the root idea underlies the command, “Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead,” stressing steady moral direction.

Sorrow and Repentance

Eyelids also frame grief. Job laments, “My face is red with weeping, and deep darkness covers my eyes” (Job 16:16), portraying lids swollen and shadowed by tears. In a national lament Jeremiah cries, “Let them come quickly and wail over us, that our eyes may overflow with tears, and our eyelids flow with water” (Jeremiah 9:18). Here the eyelids become channels of contrition, calling the community to mourn sin and judgment.

Pride and Arrogance

Proverbs 30:13 warns of a generation whose “eyes are haughty, and pretentious are their glances.” The lifted eyelids signify an inflated self-estimate, contrasting sharply with the humility God requires.

Seduction and Moral Threat

The adulteress in Proverbs 6:25 “captivate[s] you with her eyes.” The fluttering eyelids represent subtle temptation; what begins as a glance can enslave the heart. By spotlighting so small a feature, the verse unmasks the power of visual allure and urges covenant fidelity.

Ministry Significance

1. Watchfulness in Prayer and Service Believers are to imitate the psalmist’s refusal of slumber until God’s purposes are advanced, cultivating spiritual alertness.
2. Confidence in God’s All-Seeing Care Psalm 11:4 comforts the righteous: even when human justice fails, the LORD’s examining eyelids never close.
3. Guarding the Eye-Gate Proverbs links eyelids to both seduction and pride. Faithful discipleship begins with disciplined sight, recognizing that what passes the eyelid often gains entrance to the soul.
4. Compassionate Lament Jeremiah’s tear-filled eyelids model authentic intercession for a wayward people, an enduring pattern for pastoral ministry.

Canonical Harmony

From dawn’s first gleam to tears of repentance, from divine surveillance to human resolve, עַפְעַף threads through Scripture as a reminder that what is small in the body carries great spiritual weight. The One whose own eyelids “examine the sons of men” calls His people to holy vigilance, humble eyes, and steadfast vision fixed on His glory until the eternal morning fully breaks.

בְּעַפְעַפֵּי־ בְּעַפְעַפֶּֽיהָ׃ בעפעפי־ בעפעפיה׃ וְ֝עַפְעַפֶּ֗יךָ וְ֝עַפְעַפָּ֗יו וְעַפְעַפֵּ֖ינוּ ועפעפיו ועפעפיך ועפעפינו כְּעַפְעַפֵּי־ כעפעפי־ לְֽעַפְעַפַּ֥י לְעַפְעַפֶּֽיךָ׃ לעפעפי לעפעפיך׃ עַפְעַפַּ֣י עַפְעַפָּ֥יו עפעפי עפעפיו ‘ap̄‘appāw ‘ap̄‘appay ‘ap̄·‘ap·pāw ‘ap̄·‘ap·pay afapPai afapPav bə‘ap̄‘appê- bə‘ap̄‘appehā bə·‘ap̄·‘ap·pê- bə·‘ap̄·‘ap·pe·hā beafappei beafapPeiha kə‘ap̄‘appê- kə·‘ap̄·‘ap·pê- keafappei lə‘ap̄‘appay lə‘ap̄‘appeḵā lə·‘ap̄·‘ap·pay lə·‘ap̄·‘ap·pe·ḵā leafapPai leafapPeicha veafapPav veafapPeicha veafapPeinu wə‘ap̄‘appāw wə‘ap̄‘appeḵā wə‘ap̄‘appênū wə·‘ap̄·‘ap·pāw wə·‘ap̄·‘ap·pe·ḵā wə·‘ap̄·‘ap·pê·nūInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts