Skip to content

The apple of his eye

Deuteronomy 32:10
He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.
Read in Context

Modern Meaning

What Does “The apple of his eye” Mean?

Someone cherished above all others.

Biblical Origin

Where Does This Phrase Come From?

The "apple of the eye" originally referred to the pupil — the most precious and protected part of the body. Moses used it to describe how tenderly God guarded Israel. The KJV preserves this ancient idiom, which entered English as the ultimate expression of cherishing someone.

The phrase appears in Deuteronomy 32:10 in the King James Version of the Bible, first published in 1611.

Usage Today

How Is It Used Today?

Describes a deeply cherished person. "Their youngest daughter is the apple of their eye."

The KJV Verse

Deuteronomy 32:10

He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.

Read Deuteronomy 32:10 with commentary →

Related Phrases

More Phrases from the Bible