by Dwight A. Pryor
The words of Jesus are like precious coins, conveyed to us via the gospels. In their original form however they were minted in a foreign currency, as it were – in a first-century Semitic setting and language far removed from our time. Translators are like money changers that convert this wealth into more contemporary currencies for our benefit. To do a good job, knowledge of Jesus’ Jewish world is essential.
Consider as examples two sayings from the Sermon on the Mount. First, in Matthew 6:1 note how Jesus uses the term “righteousness” to speak of almsgiving:
"Beware of practicing your righteousness [acts of righteousness - NIV] before other people in order to be seen of them…” (ESV)
The term “righteousness” (tzedakah) has a wide range of meaning in the Hebrew scriptures but almsgiving is not directly one of them. Where then did Jesus get this usage? The Pharisees, influenced by the Sages of the inter-testamental period, used the word tzedakah as a synonym for charitable giving. Jesus also uses it this way in 6:1, and the KJV rightly captures the equivalency by rendering, “when thou doest alms”.
Second, in Matthew 6:22-23, the Rabbi from Nazareth makes a puzzling statement that does not yield itself so easily to correct translation. After asserting that the eye is the lamp or light of the body, Jesus notes that:
If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. (KJV)
Translators have wrestled with the meaning of the Greek behind the “single” versus “evil” eye of the KJV. Often they take a natural approach such as “sound” vs. “not sound” (RSV), or “healthy” vs. “bad” (ESV).
The creative paraphrase, The Message, suggests:
“Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light.”
New Age adherents (who fail to understand the archaic English of the KJV), decode a mystical meaning in this text. The “single” eye they say is really the Third Eye of the spiritual body that is to be focused upon in deep meditation so as to become enlightened.
On the other hand, many cultures, including the Arab world, hold to a superstitious notion regarding an “evil” eye, whose gaze can cause harm, illness or even death. Talismans are commonly used in such societies to fend of the power of the evil eye.
For Jesus, a “single” and an “evil” eye are not superstitious notions, nor mystical ones, nor simply physical characteristics. They are moral characterizations of a generous as opposed to a stingy person. This usage is found both in the Hebrew Bible and in Jewish tradition.
A “good” eye is idiomatic Hebrew for generosity or bountiful giving:
Whoever has a good eye [who is generous – NASB] will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor (Pro 22:9).
Whereas an “evil” eye is synonymous with being greedy or miserly:
Do not eat the bread of a man whose eye is evil [who is stingy - ESV]… (Pro 23:6).
In his teaching Jesus extols the blessings of being generous to the poor – thereby laying up “treasure in heaven” (6:21) – and warns of idolatrous dangers inherent in wealth (6:24). His disciples should be known for having a “good” eye, for to be miserly or greedy is to be deeply deceived spiritually. Beware!
A classic model in English literature of a man with an “evil” eye is Scrooge. Charles Dickens describes him this way:
No beggars implored him to bestow a trifle … Even the blind men’s dogs appeared to know him; and when they saw him coming on … would wag their tails as though they said, “No eye at all is better than an evil eye, dark master!” [Thanks to Gary Alley at the Hebrew University for this reference.]
The enduring charm of A Christmas Carol is that the miserly Scrooge turns around and discovers the great rewards of demonstrating a “good” eye by performing “acts of righteousness”. May I suggest that during this holiday season, filled with light and good will, Christians celebrate a “righteous” Christmas by showing an open hand to all in need. Let us give bountifully and truly be full of light!
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Want to study this subject in-depth? We recommend The Good Eye of Tzedekah.
Take me back to the library. Or if you prefer, back to the topic Godly Living.