Who or what is Covering Of The Eyes in the Bible?

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Covering Of The Eyes

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What is the meaning of Covering Of The Eyes in the Bible?

The phrase 'covering of the eyes' appears in Genesis 20:16, where Abimelech gives silver and garments to Sarah, stating, 'Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is before all who are with you; honor whoever you please.' The Hebrew idiom implies a gesture of compensation or public vindication rather than literal physical veiling.

TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding this idiom clarifies the cultural context of restitution in ancient legal disputes, showing how material compensation served to restore honor and resolve conflict without necessarily implying a ritualistic act of modesty.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Covering Of The Eyes functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.

Bible Study Reflection Prompts:

Why did the biblical author mention Covering Of The Eyes in this passage?
What cultural or historical assumption does Covering Of The Eyes clarify?

Scripture Passages Mentioned: Genesis 20:16

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

          "Covering Of The Eyes." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/covering-of-the-eyes/
        

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