Through an Eye Darkly

(Pro 23:6 KJV)  Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

The NASB waters this verse down by using “selfish” with a marginal note instead of the KJV’s “evil” (7451a) [ra] “eye” (5869) which is the literal translation.  I prefer the literal in most cases because it allows the scripture to speak to me instead of a translator.  I ask myself, “How do I know what an evil eye is?”

I did a search for the times that the two words appear in the same verse.  True to the translator’s opinion triumphing over the voice of God, the NASB only has them once while the KJV puts them together nine times.  As much as I like the NASB I must say it tends to water down the effect of the words.  

I am not sure that we can always know when someone has an evil eye.  As near as I can tell it refers to people looking at you with some type of wicked intent.  It could be hatred or envy.  It could be simply a desire to harm.

So?  Beware.  As wonderful as you are remember that everyone does not love you and want the best for you.  Be alert and walk wisely.