The Hebrew ʻayin is a homonym, signifying “fountain”; e.g., “By a
fountain (ʻen) of water” (Gen. xvi. 7). It next denotes “eye”; comp.
(ʻayin) “Eye for eye” (Exod. xxi. 24). Another meaning of the word is
“providence,” as it is said concerning Jeremiah, “Take him and direct
thine attention (eneka) to him” (Jer. xxxix. 12). In this figurative
sense it is to be understood when used in reference to God; e.g., “And
my providence and my pleasure shall be there perpetually” (1 Kings ix.
3), as we have already explained (page 140); “The eyes (ʻene), i.e.,
the Providence of the Lord thy God, are always upon it” (Deut. xi. 12);
“They are the eyes (ʻene) of the Lord, which run to and fro through the
whole earth” (Zech. iv. 10), i.e., His providence is extended over
everything that is on earth, as will be explained in the chapters in
which we shall treat of Providence. When, however, the word “eye” is
connected with the verb “to see,” (raah or ḥazah) as in “Open thine
eyes, and see” (1 Kings xix. 16); “His eyes behold” (Ps. xi. 4), the
phrase denotes perception of the mind, not that of the senses; for
every sensation is a passive state, as is well known to you, and God is
active, never passive, as will be explained by me.