Template:Eyes
In his own eyes
Judges 17:6 In those days [there was] no king in Israel, [but] every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes.
Some believe that this was a bad thing but it could be good too depending on the eyes of each man.
People "doing what's right in their own eyes" only produces what would be the kingdom of God when the people keep their eyes on the righteousness of God. Moses and Jesus were take people to the same form of government which is why we are told to see the kingdom of God and His righteousness. You cannot have one without both. Our view of the Old Testament has been heavily biased by the teachings of people like the Pharisees who got it wrong.
Understanding what ancient Israel was doing and how it operated as a nation would be essential to understanding Israelite form of government and Christian form of government preached by Christ.
The word eyes in the text of Judges 17:6 is the word ayin[1] which is also translated fountain and well and even face.
What if you were to translate eyes into fountain?
Judges 17:6 "In those days [there was] no king in Israel, [but] every man did [that which was] right in his own fountain."
What flows from a man flows from his heart and the Bible tells us
- Proverbs 21:2 "Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts."
It has been suggested the Israel simply invaded Canaan and conquered it but if you google "peaceful invasion of Canaan" you will find that there is another opinion based on the archaeological record. In truth the Hebrew text also reveals that Israel did not oppress the original inhabitants but were accepted and respected there except by the die-hard Rulers of the Canaanites.
Deuteronomy 13:18 When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God.
Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
1 Kings 11:33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.
1 Kings 14:8 And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;
1 Kings 15:5 Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
1 Kings 15:11 And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father.
1 Kings 22:43 And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.
2 Kings 10:30 And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.
1 Chronicles 13:4 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
2 Chronicles 14:2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:
Psalms 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Proverbs 4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
- ↑ 05869 ^ןיע^ ‘ayin \@ah’- yin\@ probably a primitive word, Greek 137 ~Αινων~; n f/m; AV-eye 495, sight 216, seem 19, colour 12, fountain 11, well 11, face 10, pleased + 03190 10, presence 8, displeased + 03415 8, before 8, pleased + 03474 4, conceit 4, think 4, misc 66; 887
- 1) eye
- 1a) eye
- 1a1) of physical eye
- 1a2) as showing mental qualities
- 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
- 1a) eye
- 2) spring, fountain
- 1) eye