Apple of the Eye.
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 1:32; Psalms 1:17. His law should be kept as a precious thing. Proverbs 1:7.
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 1:2.
3. bath, daughter. The sense is, Let not the apple (the daughter) of thine eye cease to shed tears. Lamentations 1:2. 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.