Matthew 6:22 Lamp of the body

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KJV: The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Greek: ο λυχνος του σωματος εστιν ο οφθαλμος εαν ουν η ο οφθαλμος σου απλους η ολον το σωμα σου φωτεινον εσται

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KJV: But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness !

Greek: εαν δε ο οφθαλμος σου πονηρος η ολον το σωμα σου σκοτεινον εσται ει ουν το φως το εν σοι σκοτος εστιν το σκοτος ποσον

Psalms 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. [kjv]

נר … [he]

ιδ νουν λυχνος τοις ποσιν μου ο λογος σου και φως ταις τριβοις μου [lxx]

… lucerna pedi … verbum … lux semitae … [v]

A popular Christian song my Christian musical artist Amy Grant is "Thy word" which is based on Psalms 119:105. The ancient Greek word "λόγος" ≈ "rational explanation, word".

The Hebrew word "נר" (ner) ≈ "lamp". The ancient Greek word "λυχνος" ≈ "lamp". The Latin word "lucerna" ≈ "lamp".

The Greek word for "path" used here is not the ancient Greek word "οδός" ≈ "path", as in "exodus", but the ancient Greek word "τρίβους" ≈ "path" as in, literally, "three cows".

Psalms 119 is organized by Hebrew letter. This verse is "NUN", the 14th Hebrew letter (of 22) and which corresponds to the English "n". The Hebrew for "lamp" starts with the letter "NUN".

The Hebrew word "נר" (ner) ≈ "lamp".

Psalms 119:105

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KJV: NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Hebrew: נר לרגלי דברך ואור לנתיבתי׃

Greek: ιδ νουν λυχνος τοις ποσιν μου ο λογος σου και φως ταις τριβοις μου

Latin: nun lucerna pedi meo verbum tuum et lux semitae meae

Luther: Dein Wort ist meines Fußes Leuchte und ein Licht auf meinem Wege.

Spanish: NUN. Lámpara es a mis pies tu palabra, y lumbrera a mi camino.

Psalms 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. [kjv]

נר … [he]

ιδ νουν λυχνος τοις ποσιν μου ο λογος σου και φως ταις τριβοις μου [lxx]

… lucerna pedi … verbum … lux semitae … [v]

… Lámpara … pies … palabra… lumbrera … camino. [es]

The ancient Greek word "τριβούς" ≈ "path" which means, literally, "three cows". It would appear that if three cows could walk through, it was a "path".

The modern Greek word "τρία" (TREE-a) ≈ "three" and comes from the ancient Greek word "τρία" ≈ "three".
The ancient Greek word "βοῦς" ≈ "cow".

More: Cow paths

The Old English word "Þrimilcemonaþ" ≈ "three-milkings month" which was the Anglo-Saxon word for the month of May, as recorded by Bede (name meaning "prayer") in his work De Temporibus (On Time, about 703). Bede started dating dates from the birth of Christ and that has continued to this day.

Some milk cow jokes could be uttered here, but that might be utter (udder) disaster.

More: Months

More: Cow paths

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. [kjv]

ουτως λαμψατω το φως υμων εμπροσθεν των ανθρωπων οπως ιδωσιν υμων τα καλα εργα και δοξασωσιν τον πατερα υμων τον εν τοις ουρανοις [gnt]

The Greek word translated as "shine" is that of "lamp".

The purpose of a "lamp" is to "shine". The Pixar Animation Studios lamp is well-known and a part of many Pixar Animations.
The ancient Greek word "λάμπω" ≈ "shine, be bright, give light" and is the source of the English word "lamp" through French and the Latin word "lampas" ≈ "torch, lamp, light".

More: Philippians 2:15 deceptive appearance of a shining light

Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [kjv]

ο λυχνος του σωματος εστιν ο οφθαλμος εαν ουν η ο οφθαλμος σου απλους ολον το σωμα σου φωτεινον εσται [gnt]

6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness ! [kjv]

εαν δε ο οφθαλμος σου πονηρος η ολον το σωμα σου σκοτεινον εσται ει ουν το φως το εν σοι σκοτος εστιν το σκοτος ποσον [gnt]

What is the (first) "light"? (mistranslated)
What is meant by the "eye"? (code word)

What is meant by "single"? (word used once and only by Jesus, and a play on words)

Psalms 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, [kjv]

φυλαξον με ως κοραν οφθαλμου εν σκεπη των πτερυγων σου σκεπασεις με [lxx]

The "eye" is a "chamber" into which "light" enters and is recognized by the "brain" as something - such as an object. The eye is a "sensor", in contrast to a "transducer".

In Greek, the word for "eye" is, literally, an "opening" into a "chamber" (heart, brain, etc.) and is the source of the English word "ophthalmologist".

The ancient Greek word "ὀφθαλμός" ≈ "eye" and appears to come from two Greek words.

"ὀπή" ≈ "opening, hole, hollow" and is from the same root as the ancient Greek word "ὄμμα" ≈ "eye" often in a poetic sense.
"θάλαμος" ≈ "chamber, room".

More: Song: Open my eyes that I may see

More: Apple of the eye

Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [kjv]

ο λυχνος του σωματος εστιν ο οφθαλμος εαν ουν η ο οφθαλμος σου απλους ολον το σωμα σου φωτεινον εσται [gnt]

6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness ! [kjv]

εαν δε ο οφθαλμος σου πονηρος η ολον το σωμα σου σκοτεινον εσται ει ουν το φως το εν σοι σκοτος εστιν το σκοτος ποσον [gnt]

Here is the corresponding verse in Luke. Some words are added in the English that are not in the Greek.

Luke 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. [kjv]

ο λυχνος του σωματος εστιν ο οφθαλμος σου οταν ο οφθαλμος σου απλους η και ολον το σωμα σου φωτεινον εστιν επαν δε πονηρος η και το σωμα σου σκοτεινον [gnt]

Luke 11:34

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KJV: The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

Greek: ο λυχνος του σωματος εστιν ο οφθαλμος σου οταν ουν ο οφθαλμος σου απλους η και ολον το σωμα σου φωτεινον εστιν επαν δε πονηρος η και το σωμα σου σκοτεινον

*G3088 *14 λύχνος (lookh'-nos) : from the base of G3022; a portable lamp or other illuminator (literally or figuratively):--candle, light.

Usage

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λυχνος *6

Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore ...
Mark 4:21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put ...
Luke 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when ...
Luke 11:36 ... as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye ...
Revelation 21:23 ... it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

λυχνον *4

Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it ...
Luke 8:16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, ...
Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, ...
Luke 15:8 ... doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, ...

λυχνου *2

Revelation 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more ...
Revelation 22:5 ... they need no candle, neither light of the sun; ...

λυχνοι

Luke 12:35 ... be girded about, and your lights burning;

λυχνω

2 Peter 1:19 ... well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a ...

*G2985 *9 λαμπάς (lam-pas') : from G2989; a "lamp" or flambeau:--lamp, light, torch.

*G3088 *14 λύχνος (lookh'-nos) : from the base of G3022; a portable lamp or other illuminator (literally or figuratively):--candle, light.

Words: λαμπαδας=3 λαμπαδες=3 λαμπαδων=2 λαμπας λυχνοι λυχνον=4 λυχνος=6 λυχνου=2 λυχνω

Note how Strongs starts with the definition of "lamp" and then arrives at a "light". The ancient Greek word "λυχνος" ≈ "lamp" (not light). "φως" ≈ "light" and is the source of the "photo" part of the English word "photograph".

The ancient Egyptians used a form of the modern "candle". In Bible times, the word meant a "lamp" as in an "oil lamp". Some lamps were covered. Some were open.

Interestingly, the ancient Greeks used empty open "lamps" on a "lamp stand" or "table" to hold "pebbles" for "voting" purposes.

"λυχνος" ≈ "lamp".
"λυχνεῖον" ≈ "ballot stand" sometimes used by jurors.
"ψῆφος" ≈ "pebble, counter, vote" and many variations of meaning having to do with a "vote" where a "pebble" was used to "vote" by placing it in a container, sometimes an oil lamp (without the oil) on a "lamp stand"
"ψηφίζω" ≈ "calculations (abacus), cast one's vote" and many definition variations having to do with voting.
"ψηφοποιός" ≈ "rigging the vote" and, literally, "make a pebble".

The ancient Greek "democracy" or "people power" could "vote" to have someone exiled or even executed (e.g., Socrates). This is similar to the French Revolution where the "people" decided to have many guillotined, including the inventor of the device and some who helped start the French Revolution but were not radical enough for the majority.

Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [kjv]

ο λυχνος του σωματος εστιν ο οφθαλμος εαν ουν η ο οφθαλμος σου απλους ολον το σωμα σου φωτεινον εσται [gnt]

What is meant by "single"? The ancient Greek word "ἁπλοῦς" ≈ "single (of a leader)" from the Cambridge Greek Lexicon.

Wiktionary provides the definition of "ἁπλόος" ≈ "simple, one-fold, honest, candid, simple-minded" and comes from the negation of "fold" is an a paper "fold" and might be compared with the Latin "simplex".

The modern Greek word "απλός" (a-PLOS) ≈ "plain, simple, uncomplicated" and "simple" as in a "one-way ticket". As is often the case the modern Greek word is greatly influenced by what the meaning of the word was decided on for the GNT (Greek New Testament).

*G573 *2 ἁπλοῦς (hap-looce') : probably from G1 (as a particle of union) and the base of G4120; properly, folded together, i.e. single (figuratively, clear):--single.

Usage

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απλους *2

Matthew 6:22 ... thine eye be single, thy whole body ...
Luke 11:34 ... thine eye is single, thy whole body ...

*G573 *2 ἁπλοῦς (hap-looce') : probably from G1 (as a particle of union) and the base of G4120; properly, folded together, i.e. single (figuratively, clear):--single.

Words: απλους=2

Note how Strong guesses what the word means. It might be better to go to the Cambridge Greek Lexicon. The ancient Greek word "ἁπλοῦς" ≈ "single (of a leader)" (followed by 11 related definitions).

A play on words can be made as follows. The English word "Pluto" comes from the ancient Greek word "Πλούτων" ≈ "God of the underworld or Hades" which comes from "πλοῦτος" ≈ "riches" or "πλούσιος" ≈ "wealthy, rich". The play on words would be negated due to the prefix "α" (alpha).

"ἁπλοῦς" ≈ "single (of a leader)"
"ἁπλούσιος" ≈ "not rich" (play on words)
"ἁπλοῦτος" ≈ "not rich, not of Hades" (play on words)

Jesus often uses code words so that sayings have more than one meaning. All the meanings can be true. The encoded (literal) form makes (some) sense and the decoded form makes sense. In general:

Noun words can be code words. Pronouns can be ambiguous.
Verb words are carefully chosen to work in both contexts.

By definition, in the security field, a code word is a word that needs to be substituted with another word (e.g., using a code book) to determine the meaning. By definition, in the security field, a secret code is a code whose meaning is to be obscured to anyone without the code book.

So Jesus, by definition, uses secret codes. However, these codes appear to provide only authentication information (and warnings about certain heresies) but no special salvation knowledge - which is always is clear text.

More: Pronouns

More: Parables and secret codes used and explained by Jesus

Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [kjv]

6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness ! [kjv]

Jesus often uses nouns as code words to be replaced with other nouns.

English translated	English correct	Code word meaning	play on words
light	lamp	glory/opinion
body	body	church/believers
eye	eye	leader
single	single (leader)	single leader	not rich, not of Hades
light	light	truth as in reality

Paraphrase using code words:
6:22: The glory/opinion (lamp/candle) of the church (body) is the leader (eye). If the leader (eye) is a single leader (Jesus) [not worldly rich, not of Hades or the underworld], then the whole church (body) will be light (truth)
6:23: But if the leader (eye) be oppressive (evil, not a single leader), then the whole church (body) will be false light (darkness). If the truth (light) that is in you is false light (darkness), that false light (darkness) is great.

Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. [kjv]

6:23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness ! [kjv]

Paraphrase using code words:
6:22: The glory/opinion (lamp/candle) of the church (body) is the leader (eye). If the leader (eye) is a single leader (Jesus) [not worldly rich, not of Hades or the underworld], then the whole church (body) will be light (truth)
6:23: But if the leader (eye) be oppressive (evil, not a single leader), then the whole church (body) will be false light (darkness). If the truth (light) that is in you is false light (darkness), that false light (darkness) is great.

Note that any "pastor" acting as an additional "leader" of any worldly "authority" (verse 23 and not verse 22) can only "detract" from the optimum situation. This is line with the BPR (Business Process Reengineering) idea that managers are non-value adding to the customer.

More: Taking care of business

More: Books: Reengineering

Paraphrase using code words:
6:22: The glory/opinion (lamp/candle) of the church (body) is the leader (eye). If the leader (eye) is a single leader (Jesus) [not worldly rich, not of Hades or the underworld], then the whole church (body) will be light (truth)
6:23: But if the leader (eye) be oppressive (evil, not a single leader), then the whole church (body) will be false light (darkness). If the truth (light) that is in you is false light (darkness), that false light (darkness) is great.

Let us "cherry pick" some verses to support this view.of the code words.

Cherry picked verse 1: (not rich, opinions of others)
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth ... for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Cherry picked verse 2: (single leader)
No one can serve two masters ... no one can serve God and mammon.

Discuss: How well do these cherry-picked verses support the proposed code-word meaning of verses 6:22-23?

More: Selective evidence fallacy: Cherry picking

Where do these cherry-picked verses appear in the GNT?

Cherry picked verse 1: (not rich, opinions of others)
6:19-21: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth ... for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Paraphrase using code words:
6:22: The glory/opinion (lamp/candle) of the church (body) is the leader (eye). If the leader (eye) is a single leader (Jesus) [not worldly rich, not of Hades or the underworld], then the whole church (body) will be light (truth)
6:23: But if the leader (eye) be oppressive (evil, not a single leader), then the whole church (body) will be false light (darkness). If the truth (light) that is in you is false light (darkness), that false light (darkness) is great.

Cherry picked verse 2: (single leader)
6:24: No one can serve two masters ... no one can serve God and mammon.

More: Matthew 6:19-21: A treasury of treasures of which to treasure

More: Matthew 6:24 A wealth of logical ideas on mammon