1. ishon. Gesenius says this word signifies 'little man' and then 'the little man of the eye; 'that is, "the pupil of the eye in which, as in a mirror, a person sees his own image reflected in miniature." He says "this pleasing image is found in several languages." It is the part of the eye specially to be guarded: God preserved His own as the apple of His eye. Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalm 17:8 . His law should be kept as a precious thing. Proverbs 7:2 .
2. babah, the black or pupil of the eye, or, as others, 'the gate of the eye.' To touch God's people is touching the apple of His eye. Zechariah 2:8 .
3. bath, daughter. The sense is, Let not the apple (the daughter) of thine eye cease to shed tears. Lamentations 2:18 . In all places 'the apple of the eye' is a beautifully figurative expression for that which must be tenderly cherished as a most choice treasure.