Strong's Lexicon ayin: Eye, spring, fountain Original Word: עַיִן Word Origin: From an unused root meaning to flow Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G3788 (ophthalmos) - eye - G4077 (pege) - spring, fountain Usage: The Hebrew word "ayin" primarily means "eye," referring to the physical organ of sight. It is also used metaphorically to denote perception, understanding, or insight. Additionally, "ayin" can mean "spring" or "fountain," indicating a source of water, which is essential for life in the arid regions of the ancient Near East. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, the eye was considered the window to the soul, a concept that resonates with many cultures throughout history. The eye was not only a physical organ but also a symbol of perception and discernment. Springs and fountains were vital in the arid climate of the Near East, often serving as gathering places and essential resources for survival. The dual meaning of "ayin" as both "eye" and "spring" underscores the importance of both vision and water in biblical times. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ay Definition whence? NASB Translation where (15), where* (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [אַ֫יִן] adverb (from אַי; Assyrian aina, ainu, Arabic where? whence?) only in the compound מֵאַ֫יִן17 whence? Genesis 29:4; Genesis 42:7 (synonym אֵימִֿזֶּה e.g. Genesis 16:8; 1 Samuel 30:13) Judges 17:9; Judges 19:17; Job 1:7 (Job 2:2 אֵימִֿזֶּה); used in a rhetorical or poetic style (where אֵימִֿזֶּה would be too prosaic) Numbers 11:13 מֵאַיִן לִי בָּשָׂר whence have I flesh etc. ? 2 Kings 6:27; Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! for that day is great; מֵאַיִן כָּמוֺהוּ whence is its like ? (see also II. אַיִן near the end) Nahum 3:7; Psalm 121:1; Job 28:12,20; in an indirect sentence Joshua 2:4 (compare אֵימִֿזֶּה 1 Samuel 25:11). I. [אַ֫יִן], מֵאַ֫יִן whence? see below אַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance whence, where Probably identical with 'ayin in the sense of query (compare 'iy); --where? (only in connection with prepositional prefix, whence) -- whence, where. see HEBREW 'ayin see HEBREW 'iy Forms and Transliterations וּמֵאַ֙יִן֙ וּמֵאַ֣יִן וּמֵאַ֥יִן ומאין מֵ֝אַ֗יִן מֵאַ֖יִן מֵאַ֛יִן מֵאַ֣יִן מֵאַ֤יִן מֵאַ֥יִן מאין mê’ayin mê·’a·yin meAyin ū·mê·’a·yin ūmê’ayin umeAyinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 29:4 HEB: יַעֲקֹ֔ב אַחַ֖י מֵאַ֣יִן אַתֶּ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ NAS: to them, My brothers, where are you from? And they said, KJV: unto them, My brethren, whence [be] ye? And they said, INT: Jacob my brothers where and they said Genesis 42:7 Numbers 11:13 Joshua 2:4 Joshua 9:8 Judges 17:9 Judges 19:17 2 Kings 6:27 2 Kings 20:14 Job 1:7 Job 28:12 Job 28:20 Psalm 121:1 Isaiah 39:3 Jonah 1:8 Nahum 3:7 16 Occurrences |