The 70 elders of Israel (Exodus 24:1) received divine insight.
The 70 years of exile in Babylon (Jeremiah 25:11) were a period of purification and restoration.
Genesis 10: There are 70 nations listed as descendants of Noah’s sons, symbolizing the totality of humanity and the universality of God's plan.
Jacob’s Family Genesis 46:27: Seventy members of Jacob's family went to Egypt, representing the foundation of the Israelite nation.
Daniel 9:24-27: The "Seventy Weeks" prophecy outlines a timeline for significant events in Israel's history and messianic fulfillment.
Luke 10:1: Jesus sent out 70 disciples to spread His message, symbolizing the expansion of His ministry to all nations.
Matthew 18:21-22: Jesus tells Peter to forgive "seventy times seven," emphasizing boundless forgiveness and mercy.
- Ayin עין - Eye
- Ayin Ra - Evil eye
- Aliyah עליה - "Ascent" or "going up"
- Anav עָנָו - Humility or meekness, reflecting modesty
- Erev עֵרֶב - Evening, symbolizing transition and blending
- Etzah עֵצָה - Counsel or advice, linked to insight and wisdom
- Ezer עֶזֶר - Help or salvation
- Etz עֵץ - Tree
- Olam עולם - world, universe, existene, lifetime, or eternity.
Adon Olam - Here is a great Hebrew prayer/song -- Odom OLAM (with Ayin). It has English subtitles. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15nphwH9zn/
Since Hebrew words derive their meaning from the root letters in those words, the student gains a deeper understanding of both. The word Olam עולם is in this verse below:
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV) -- He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
אֶת־הַכֹּ֥ל עָשָׂ֖ה יָפֶ֣ה בְעִתּ֑וֹ גַּ֤ם אֶת־הָֽעֹלָם֙ נָתַ֣ן בְּלִבָּ֔ם מִבְּלִ֞י אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹֽא־יִמְצָ֣א הָֽאָדָ֗ם אֶת־הַֽמַּֽעֲשֶׂ֛ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים מֵרֹ֥אשׁ וְעַד־סֽוֹף
The Eye is Symbolic of the Whole Person
There is both physical sight and internal spiritual sight. In a spiritual context, to restore blindness is akin to a spiritual restoration. In Kabbalistic thought, Ayin connects physical vision to deeper spiritual insight, emphasizing true understanding that transcends what is visible.
The removal of spiritual blindness, enables individuals to perceive divine truths. The restoration of spiritual seeing represents spiritual awakening and enlightenment.
Psalm 36.9 -- For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
Source of Life and Renewal
Ayin is in the root of the word ma'ayan, which means water "spring." Just as a spring brings forth life-giving water from deep within the earth, spiritual sight emerges from an inner source, offering clarity, renewal, and sustenance for the soul.
A water spring (ma'ayan) provides fresh, pure water that sustains life -- Living Water. Similarly, spiritual sight nourishes the soul, offering insight, wisdom, and a connection to the divine. It allows people to see beyond the physical world into deeper truths.
Springs often emerge from unseen depths underground. Likewise, spiritual sight arises from within—a connection to the divine or the inner self that transcends surface-level perception.
John 4:13-14 -- Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
A spring flows continuously, symbolizing the ongoing nature of spiritual growth and enlightenment. Spiritual sight is not a one-time event but a lifelong process of seeing more clearly and understanding more deeply.
Isaiah 12:3 (NIV) -- With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Just as spring water cleanses and refreshes, spiritual sight purifies one's perspective, removing ego and falsehoods to reveal truth and divine purpose.
Psalm 119:37 -- Turn away my eyes עֵינַי from seeing vanity; with Your ways sustain me.
Seeing our way into Heaven
In a spiritual sense we must see our way through the gate to heaven. Seeing our way is to align one's life with divine principles and cultivating faith, love, and obedience to God.
The Hebrew word for gate, sha'ar שער, implies a place of decision, judgment, or access, symbolizing control over what we allow into our lives. (See Epilogue below for a list of the gates of Jerusalem.) Sha'ar contains the root letter "ayin" right in the center. Deuteronomy 16:18 speaks of placing judges at gates, symbolizing the need for vigilance and accountability in decision-making.
Jeremiah 5.21 (NIV) -- Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear:
A Royal Letter
Ayin is one of seven Hebrew letters (ש, ע, ט, נ, ז, ג, צ) that traditionally have crowns (tagin) in Torah scrolls. The crowns emphasize its role in perceiving divine truths and carry deep mystical meaning. They are often seen as tools for combating negative spiritual forces including Satan. Soferim (scribes) meticulously add these crowns when writing Torah scrolls, tefillin, and mezuzot.
Below is the most well-known Hebrew prayer the Shema. The first word is Shema. The last letter in Shema is Ayin with a crown. The Hebrew word shema (שָׁמַע) means "listen" or "hear," yet the letter "Ayin" which means "to see" is in it's root. I think that's fascinating!
 |
I want to conclude my exploration of Ayin by giving Hashem the last word. Several Bible verses highlight God's watchful eye as a symbol of His omniscience, care, and guidance:
Proverbs 15:3: "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good".
Psalm 33:18: "Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy".
2 Chronicles 16:9: "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him".
Deuteronomy 11:12: "The eyes of the LORD your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year".
Conclusion
Seeing "right and wrong" involves the practice (gift) of discernment; the ability to distinguish between good and evil, truth and deception.
Ultimately, "seeing" Heaven involves spiritual clarity. Lord helping me have 20.20 spiritual vision , the courage and will to make the right choices.
Exodus 20:20 (NIV) -- Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
Revelation
The concept of revelation is deeply tied to the idea of "giving sight" or unveiling truth. In a spiritual context, revelation refers to God disclosing divine knowledge, truth, or mysteries that were previously hidden or beyond human understanding. It is like opening one’s spiritual eyes.
John 20.20 -- After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Epilogue:
The ten gates of Jerusalem mentioned in Nehemiah 3 hold both practical and spiritual significance. Here is a summary of their meanings:
Sheep Gate: Symbolizes Christ as the Lamb of God and the necessity of sacrifice for sin. It was used to bring sacrificial animals into the city.
Fish Gate: Associated with evangelism, as fishermen brought their catch here. It represents spreading the message of God.
Old Gate: Represents the ancient paths and enduring truths of God’s word.
Valley Gate: Symbolizes humility and trials, as valleys often represent low points in life.
Dung Gate: Used to remove waste, it signifies cleansing and the need to rid oneself of sin.
Fountain Gate: Represents the Holy Spirit and spiritual renewal, as fountains often symbolize living water.
Water Gate: Linked to the Word of God that cleanses and refreshes believers.
Horse Gate: Symbolizes warfare and readiness for spiritual battles, as horses were associated with war.
East Gate: Points to hope and Christ’s return, as it faces the Mount of Olives where He will return.
Miphkad (Inspection) Gate: Represents judgment and accountability before God, as it was used for inspections.
These gates reflect a journey of faith, from salvation to spiritual growth and ultimate accountability.
Teaching about Nehemiah 3 and the Jerusalem gates by Pastor Nathan Robinson.
