from עוּף; an eyelash (as fluttering); figuratively, morning ray; dawning, eye-lid.
Transliteration:ʻaphʻaph
Pronunciation:af-af'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H6079}}` (עַפְעַף, ʻaphʻaph) derives from the root `{{H5774}}` (עוּף), meaning "to fly," "to hover," or "to flutter." This etymological connection is crucial for understanding its core semantic range. Literally, `{{H6079}}` refers to an "eyelash" or "eyelid," capturing the rapid, delicate movement or "fluttering" characteristic of these bodily features. Beyond this literal sense, the word extends figuratively to describe the "morning ray" or "dawning." This metaphorical usage evokes the initial, flickering light of dawn, akin to the opening of an eye or the fluttering of an eyelid as the new day begins. Thus, `{{H6079}}` encompasses both a specific anatomical part and a poetic description of the breaking day, united by the underlying concept of delicate, transient movement or appearance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H6079}}` appears twice in the Masoretic Text, both within the book of Job, showcasing its dual semantic range.
1. **Literal Usage - Eyelid:** In [[Job 16:16]], Job laments his suffering: "My face is flushed from weeping, and on my eyelids is deep darkness." Here, עַפְעַפַּי (my eyelids) refers directly to the physical part of the eye. The context describes Job's profound grief and physical deterioration, where his constant weeping has caused his eyelids to become dark and swollen, a vivid image of intense sorrow and affliction. The phrase underscores the physical manifestation of emotional pain, rendering the eyes, often seen as windows to the soul, obscured by distress.
2. **Figurative Usage - Dawn's Eyelids:** In [[Job 41:18]] (Hebrew 41:10), describing the fearsome Leviathan, the text states: "Its snorting flashes forth light, and its eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn." The phrase עַפְעַפֵּי שָׁחַר (ʻaphʻap̄ê šāḥar), literally "eyelids of dawn," is a striking poetic metaphor. It likens the brilliant, piercing eyes of Leviathan to the first, powerful rays of light that appear at daybreak. This imagery elevates Leviathan to a creature of cosmic power and mystery, whose very gaze is as formidable and awe-inspiring as the breaking of a new day. It suggests a sudden, overwhelming burst of light, much like the rapid opening of an eye or the first glimpse of dawn.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for `{{H6079}}` is its root, `{{H5774}}` (עוּף), which signifies "to fly," "to hover," or "to flutter." This root's semantic field includes swift, often transient, movement, and can even extend to concepts of darkness or shadow (as in "flitting about in the dark"). This connection reinforces the "fluttering" aspect of the eyelid and the ephemeral nature of the first light of dawn.
Other related concepts include:
* **`{{H5869}}` (עַיִן, ayin):** The general word for "eye," of which the `{{H6079}}` is a component.
* **`{{H7837}}` (שָׁחַר, shaḥar):** The word for "dawn" or "morning," which directly combines with `{{H6079}}` in the poetic phrase "eyelids of dawn."
* **Concepts of Light and Darkness:** The word bridges the two, from the "deep darkness" on Job's eyelids to the "flashing light" of dawn's eyelids.
* **Human Emotion and Physicality:** The word is used to express profound human sorrow and its physical manifestation.
* **Divine Creation and Power:** The majestic description of Leviathan using the "eyelids of dawn" metaphor speaks to the overwhelming power and mystery inherent in God's creation.
### Theological Significance
The dual usage of `{{H6079}}` in Job offers significant theological insights. In [[Job 16:16]], the "darkness on the eyelids" serves as a poignant theological statement on human suffering. It portrays Job's brokenness not merely as an internal state but as a visible, physical reality. The darkened eyelids symbolize a world obscured by grief, a vision clouded by pain, and the overwhelming nature of human vulnerability before sorrow. It speaks to the reality that even the "light" of human experience can be dimmed by affliction.
Conversely, in [[Job 41:18]], the "eyelids of the dawn" applied to Leviathan speaks volumes about divine sovereignty and the awe-inspiring power of God's creation. Leviathan, often seen as a symbol of untamed chaos, is presented as a creature of such magnificent power that its eyes reflect the very dawning of the day—a daily miracle of light overcoming darkness, orchestrated by God. This metaphor elevates the creature to a cosmic scale, reflecting the Creator's boundless power and wisdom. It suggests that even the most formidable aspects of creation are under God's ultimate control, designed with an intrinsic beauty and power that mirrors the divine. The daily "opening" of the day, signaled by the "eyelids of dawn," implicitly points to God's continuous work of ordering and sustaining the cosmos.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H6079}}` (עַפְעַף, ʻaphʻaph) is a rich term, rooted in the concept of "fluttering" or "rapid movement." It functions literally as "eyelash" or "eyelid," vividly depicted in [[Job 16:16]] to convey the physical manifestation of profound human sorrow and the darkening of one's world by grief. Its figurative usage as "eyelids of the dawn" in [[Job 41:18]] is a powerful poetic metaphor, describing the piercing, initial light of daybreak. This dual application in Job underscores both the depth of human vulnerability and the majestic, awe-inspiring power of God's creation. `{{H6079}}` thus contributes significantly to the biblical text's capacity for profound imagery, connecting the microcosm of the human body with the macrocosm of cosmic phenomena, all within the framework of divine sovereignty and the human experience of suffering and wonder.
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