Dictionary of Bible Themes A term used to refer to the character of God, especially his favour towards his people. For God to turn his face to his people is to offer them his grace and help; for God to turn his face against his people is to withhold his favour and blessing. To seek the face of God is to seek his favour. Numbers 6:25-26The face of God as a sign of blessing See also 2 Samuel 21:11 Chronicles 16:11 Psalms 4:6; 31:16; 67:1; 80:19; 105:4; 119:135 Ezekiel 39:29 2 Samuel 22:7 Parts of God's face 2 Kings 19:28His ears Psalms 34:15; 102:2Isaiah 59:1 Psalms 34:15 See also His eyes Deuteronomy 11:122 Chronicles 16:9 Psalms 139:16 Proverbs 15:3 Daniel 7:9 His hair Psalms 89:34Isaiah 11:4; 30:27 His lips 2 Samuel 22:9Job 15:30 His mouth Isaiah 45:232 Samuel 22:9,16 His nostrils Exodus 33:20-23The visibility of God's face His face cannot be seen Genesis 32:30"The face of God" may mean here God's real and true self, the inference being that no-one can look on God as he is in his total purity and majesty. Apparent exceptions where God is seen face to face See also Exodus 33:11After Jacob's wrestling with a figure whose exact identity is not explicit in the preceding verses. Jacob did experience a real encounter with God but God was in a real and approachable form, not in his transcendent and visible glory. Numbers 12:8Deuteronomy 5:4; 34:10 Ezekiel 20:35 Matthew 18:10 The angels in heaven look upon the face of God Job 34:29God must reveal himself if people are to see his face 1 Corinthians 13:12The Greek word for "revelation" literally means "removing a veil from one's face". Revelation 22:4The righteous will see God's face in the life to come Psalms 44:24When God hides his face blessing is withheld See also Complaints at God hiding his face Psalms 13:1; 88:14Psalms 27:9 See also Cries for help Psalms 69:17; 102:2; 143:7Isaiah 54:8 See also Statements concerning God's anger and judgment Deuteronomy 31:17-18Psalms 22:24; 30:7; 51:9; 104:29 Isaiah 8:17; 64:7 Jeremiah 33:5 Ezekiel 39:23-24 Micah 3:4 Revelation 6:16 2 Chronicles 30:9 Jeremiah 18:17 Other phrases synonymous with God hiding his face Ezekiel 7:22Leviticus 17:10; 20:3; 26:17 Psalms 34:16 God sets his face against sinners Ezekiel 14:81 Peter 3:12 Ezekiel 15:7 2 Chronicles 7:14 God's face as a symbol of his favour See also Seeking the face of God in prayer 2 Samuel 21:11 Chronicles 16:11 Psalms 24:6; 105:4; 119:58 Hosea 5:15 Exodus 32:11 See also Seeking the favour of God 1 Samuel 13:122 Kings 13:4 2 Chronicles 33:12 Jeremiah 26:19 Daniel 9:13 Zechariah 7:2; 8:21 Malachi 1:9 Exodus 23:15 Appearing before God in worship See also Exodus 23:17; 34:20The phrase seems to recall the fact that in ancient religions worshippers came before carved faces of their idols. In Israel such physical representations of God were forbidden but the phrase was still used underlining the belief that Israel's God was present in his sanctuary. Deuteronomy 16:16; 31:11Psalms 42:2 Isaiah 1:12 Numbers 6:25-26 See also The shining of God's face upon his people indicates his blessing Psalms 4:6; 31:16; 44:3; 67:1; 80:3,19; 119:135Exodus 33:14 God's face accompanies Israel as a symbol of his presence See also Deuteronomy 4:37Literally "my face will go ..." Here this phrase may allude not only to God's presence but also to the manifestations of his presence (e.g., the cloud in verse 9). Isaiah 63:9See also 1025 God, anger of1110 God, present everywhere 1150 God, truth of 1210 God, human descriptions 1310 God as judge 1403 God, revelation 1439 revelation 1454 theophany 1670 symbols 5150 face 8474 seeing God 8602 prayer |
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