The Apple of His Eye

Why King David was the “apple of God’s eye”!

“The apple of an eye” refers in different instances to King David, Zion, and the Word of God in Scripture. In modern English, the phrase means someone who is especially cherished. In the Hebrew, the “apple” means “pupil of the eye”. Yet the English meaning also applies. We will see how this all connects!

“BELOVED” DAVID

PSA 17:8 Keep me as the apple [H380] of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,¹

The King of Israel, David, prayed this very prayer for himself! This warrior, whose name means “beloved” is said to be “a man after [God’s] own heart” in Scripture. Oh, he did some grievous sins, but he always repented.

King David was a psalmist and a prophet who praised the LORD. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he wrote many psalms which we now have in His Holy Word.

YHWH’s TEACHING

PROV 7:2 (NASB) Keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the apple [H380] of your eye.

Hebrew students in Biblical times were required to know and memorize the Torah, the first five books of our present-day Bible. As we keep His commandments and His all-important teaching, we will live a holy life. His Word should be our guideline, where we get our wisdom. (But remember, under the New Covenant, some Old Testament requirements are no longer required!)

This same verse in other translations are:

Brenton Septuagint Translation keep my commandments, and thou shalt live; and keep my words as the pupils of thine eyes.

I think this translation expresses the meanings, yet it is not a literal translation:

Contemporary English Version Obey me, and you will live! Let my instructions be your greatest treasure.

Do we consider God’s Word our greatest treasure?

FOCUSSED

Possibly, “the apple of your eye” or “the pupil of your eye” could also mean to keep your eyes focussed on someone to protect them. Actually, the same sentiment is expressed in that psalm of David, “Hide me under the shadow of Your wings”.

Focussed protection and cherished are both communicated in these verses:

DEUT 32:

8 When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations,
When He separated the sons of Adam,
He set the boundaries of the peoples
According to the number of the children of Israel.
9 For the Lord’s portion is His people;
Jacob is the place of His inheritance.
10 “He found him in a desert land
And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness;
He encircled him, He instructed him,
He kept him as the apple [H380] of His eye.
11 As an eagle stirs up its nest,
Hovers over its young,
Spreading out its wings, taking them up,
Carrying them on its wings,

Another example:

ZECH 2:8 For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches [Zion, Jerusalem] you touches the apple of His eye. 9 For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me.

Messing with Israel & Jerusalem will ultimately be judged by the LORD of heaven & earth!

DOVE’S EYES

How does the word “pupil” fit into all of this? A pupil focusses.

Dove’s eyes can only focus on what is right before them. This passage communicates to keep focussed on God’s Word & teaching!

PROV 7:2 (NASB) Keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the apple [H380] of your eye.

When the carnal world wants to do something inhumane or contrary to God’s word, as Christians we need to keep focussed on what God has said to be true! We should receive the Word of God as His very cherished Word to us!

In the Song of Solomon, the “beloved” couple both have dove eyes!

SOS 1:15 Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes.

SOS 5:12 His eyes are like doves ….

This match made in Heaven represents Yeshua, the living Word of God, & His chosen Bride. They have eyes focussed on each other!

WHO IS THE APPLE OF GOD’S EYE?

David expressed himself as the apple of [God’s] eye in Psalm 17. Zion is conveyed in Zechariah 2.

HEB 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem …

Zion is the City of God, Jerusalem and will be the New Jerusalem.

PSA 48:11 Let Mount Zion rejoice, Let the daughters of Judah be glad, Because of Your judgments.

These are people rejoicing. Spiritually, Zion is the chosen people of God! Zion is more than a place, it is a people. They are believers in the Messiah, past, present and future. The church, too, is Zion.

GAL 3:29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

CONCLUSION

I urge you to focus your attention on our beloved Yeshua. If we are focussed on Him and love Him beyond all else, we are the apple of [God’s] eye as the Bride of Christ!