Bible Dictionary
EYELID
The movable fold of skin protecting the eye. Scripture also refers to the eyelids in connection with beauty, watchfulness, and the ancient practice of darkening them with cosmetic powder.
Definition
The eyelid is the movable covering of the eye. In biblical language, eyes and eyelids may function in parallel, and eyelids may also represent appearance, allure, or watchful direction.
Biblical Usage
Scripture speaks of eyelids looking straight ahead and portrays the alluring power of the wanton woman as associated with her eyes and eyelids. Eyelids also occur in descriptions of divine observation.
Historical Background
The ancient practice of painting the eyelids used antimony to darken the lashes and intensify beauty. This practice is mentioned in accounts involving Jezebel and the imagery of painted eyes.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>i'-lid: Eyes and eyelids in Hebrew are sometimes used synonymously, as in the parallelism of Pr 4:25 (compare 6:4; 30:13):</p><p>"Let thine eyes look right on, And let thine eyelids look straight before thee."</p><p>(Compare Job 41:18; Ps 11:4; Jer 9:18.) The alluring power of the wanton woman is conceived of as centered in her eyes (Pr 6:25; Isa 3:16): "Neither let her take thee with her eyelids." Painting the eyelids was resorted to to intensify the beauty, antimony (which see) being used for darkening the lashes (2Ki 9:30; Jer 4:30; Eze 23:40).</p><p>George B. Eager</p>