ע
Ayin
Eye, to see, insight, perception, fountain
Ayin (ע) is the sixteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and its ancient pictographic form was an eye — making it one of the most evocative letters in the alphabet. Ayin represents seeing, perception, and insight — both physical and spiritual. The Hebrew concept of 'seeing' goes far beyond mere optical vision; it encompasses understanding, discernment, and prophetic insight. When the Bible says God 'saw' that creation was good, it uses a word rooted in this deep concept of perception. Ayin also means 'fountain' or 'spring' (as in Ein Gedi), connecting sight with the source of living water.
How to Pronounce Ayin
Ayin is a silent letter in modern Hebrew, similar to Aleph. In ancient Hebrew, it was a deep guttural sound from the throat.
“Open my eyes (ainai), that I may behold wondrous things out of your Torah.”
Ancient Pictographic Form
The ancient pictographic Ayin was clearly drawn as an eye. It evolved through Phoenician into the Greek Omicron (Ο) and ultimately the Latin O.
Pictograph: An eye
Spiritual Significance
Ayin represents spiritual sight, divine perception, and the ability to see beyond the surface. Its value of 70 connects to the 70 nations, 70 elders of Israel, and the 70 faces of Torah (multiple layers of meaning). Ayin teaches that true wisdom comes from seeing with God's eyes.
Connection to Scripture
Eden (עֵדֶן) begins with Ayin — paradise is about seeing God clearly. The Tree of Knowledge opened Adam and Eve's eyes (ayin). The 70 elders who saw God on Sinai (Exodus 24:9-11) connect to Ayin's value of 70.
Words That Begin with Ayin
Ayin
Eye, spring
Olam
World, eternity
Etz
Tree
Ezrah
Help
Eden
Delight, paradise
Modern Hebrew Usage
In modern Hebrew, Ayin appears in words like עַיִן (ayin, eye/spring), עוֹלָם (olam, world/eternity), עֵץ (etz, tree), and עֶזְרָה (ezrah, help).
People Also Ask
What does the Hebrew letter Ayin mean?
Ayin means 'eye' in Hebrew. It represents seeing, perception, insight, and understanding. It also means 'spring' or 'fountain,' connecting vision with the source of living water. Spiritually, it represents the ability to see with God's eyes.
Is Ayin silent in Hebrew?
In modern Hebrew, Ayin is essentially silent — similar to Aleph. In ancient and Sephardic/Yemenite pronunciation, Ayin was a distinctive deep guttural sound produced in the throat, different from any English sound.
Fun Fact
The word 'Ein Gedi' (עֵין גֶּדִי), the famous oasis where David hid from Saul, literally means 'Spring of the Young Goat' — using Ayin in its meaning of 'spring/fountain.' The eye and the spring share the same word because both are sources that flow.
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