In The Twinkling Of An Eye

Q

I have read that the meaning of twinkling of an eye in Jewish sayings, means at sunset. Have you heard of this? Maybe there is a different root word for this?

A

The phrase “twinkling of an eye” is found only in 1 Cor. 15:52 which Paul originally wrote in the Greek language. The Greek word translated “twinkling” literally means “in a beat, or stroke”.

Although I have found a source claiming that the Hebrew rendering of this phrase referred to sunset in some ancient Hebrew traditions, I find it hard to believe that Paul would use an idiom most of his readers throughout the age would not understand to give a hint as to the rapture’s timing. I think it’s much more likely that he was using the plain sense meaning of the phrase to describe the speed with which the rapture will occur.