The now commonly-used English idiom “apple of one’s eye” (meaning to be a cherished person) was first coined in 1382 in the English translation by John Wycliffe (in the spelling apple of his iye) (source: Crystal 2010, p. 289). For other idioms in English that were coined by Bible translation, see here.
In Russian, the phrase хранить/беречъ как зеницу ока (khranit’/berech’ kak zenitsu oka) or “to keep/ guard as an apple of the eye” is also very widely-used with a whole range of meanings, much beyond just a cherished person. The wording of the quote originated in the Russian Synodal Bible (publ. 1876). (Source: Reznikov 2020, p. 5)
In the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) it is translated with the idiom ngati mwanadiso which means “pupil of the eye” — a poetic expression which signifies something that is very delicate and valuable just as the eye pupil. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
“Keep my teachings as the apple of your eye”: Hebrew has no verb in this line; Revised Standard Version supplies “keep” from the previous line. “Apple” translates a Hebrew word that is literally “little man,” perhaps taken from seeing the small reflection of the person looking into the pupil of someone else’s eye. The word refers to the small circular opening in the center of the eye through which the light passes to the back of the eye. It is the very seat of vision and is used here, as in Psa 17.8, as an image for something precious or highly valuable. In Psa 17.8 and also in Lam 2.18 and Zech 2.8 (verse 12 in Hebrew), the Hebrew uses another expression “daughter of the eye.” In some languages the pupil of the eye is called “the child of the eye” or “the fruit of the eye.”
Translators handle “apple of your eye” in various ways. In some languages the rendering “. . . as you look after your eye[s]” carries the sense very well. Some like Contemporary English Version avoid any reference to the eye and say “your greatest treasure.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch has “like a treasure.” If the image of the pupil of the eye or the eye itself is not associated with the idea of precious value, it may be best to give the meaning of the figure; for example, “Treat my teachings as your most precious belonging” or “. . . as your most valuable possession.”
Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 7:2:
Kupsabiny: “Keep my desire/rules/commandments in order to live and keep/guard my teaching as you keep/guard your eyes.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “Do what I say, and you will have life. Keep my commands like the pupil of your eye.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “obey what I am commanding you (sing.), so-that your (sing.) life will-prolong. Take-care/[lit. keep] very-well what I am teaching you (sing.) like how- you (sing.) -take-care/[lit. keep] of your (sing.) eye.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “Obey my commands so that you (sing.) will live. Count/Consider my teachings as the most-valuable of your (sing.) possessions.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
The Greek, Hebrew, and Ge’ez that is translated in English as “Law” or “law” is translated in Mairasi as oro nasinggiei or “prohibited things” (source: Enggavoter 2004) and in Noongar with a capitalized form of the term for “words” (Warrinya) (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).
In Yucateco the phrase that is used for “law” is “ordered-word” (for “commandment,” it is “spoken-word”) (source: Nida 1947, p. 198) and in Central Tarahumara it is “writing-command.” (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning. The second line adds emphasis to the parallel commands by using a simile.
2a Keep my commandments and live;
2b guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Notice also that the word “Keep” is repeated from 7:1a and “commandments” is repeated from 7:1b.
7:2a
Keep my commandments and live: See the note for 4:4b. This line is identical.
7:2b
guard my teachings: In Hebrew, the phrase guard my teachings is literally “and my teachings.” The Berean Standard Bible has supplied the verb guard for the sake of clarity. It is parallel with “keep” in 7:2a. However, other verbs would also fit the context. For example:
treasure my teaching (Revised English Bible)
as the apple of your eye: This phrase refers to the pupil. Here it symbolizes a person’s most valuable possession. The point of the comparison is that the father’s teachings should be guarded carefully or treated in the same way as a person’s most precious possession.
In some languages, it may be possible to retain the figure of the eye. For example:
Be as careful to follow my teaching as you are to protect your eyes. (Good News Translation)
However, if the eye does not carry the idea of something especially valuable in your language, it may be better to state the nonfigurative meaning. For example:
Let my instructions be your greatest treasure. (Contemporary English Version)
(The same expression occurs in Deuteronomy 32:10 and Psalm 17:8.)
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