On Rosh Hashanah, we eat an apple dipped in honey, and on the shabbat immediately following it, we read that the Jewish People are to G-d as the “apple of His eye”. The phrase "apple of his eye" is a well-known idiom in the English language, signifying something or someone cherished above all others. However, its origin is actually quite complex. To fully understand the phrase's journey from ancient Hebrew into modern English, it's important to examine its biblical context, translation history, and evolving usage in the English language.
In Deut. 32:10, the phrase appears as "אִישׁוֹן עֵינוֹ" (ishon eino), which literally translates to "the little man (the mannikin) of his eye" or "the pupil of his eye." The term "ishon" is a diminutive form of "ish" (man), referring to the tiny reflection of oneself that one might see in another person's pupil. Its Latin translation reflects this idea: pupilla, diminutive of pupa – meaning girl or doll. This is where the English word “pupil” originates. But no apples here…
At the time of the first English Bible translation, the Wycliffe Bible (1395), the term “pupil” was not yet in use. In Old English, most round fruits were called “apple”, so the term “apple of his eye” was used as an anatomical reference because apples are round, and so is the black center of your eye. Successive English Bible translations continued using this phrase. Eventually, due to the influence of this Bible verse, this literal description gained its metaphoric meaning of the most favored and cherished.
May we always remain G-d’s “Apple of His eye” and may we have a Shana Tova!