Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5125 Parts of the body and clothing » 5150 face The main visual characteristic of a person. Facial features are recognisable as uniquely those of a particular person. The face also indicates mood and attitude. The showing or directing of the face towards someone or something may indicate regard, approval or determination, while hiding or turning away of the face indicates the opposite. The face is the main recognisable feature of a person Examples of facial recognition Matthew 26:71 pp Mark 14:66-67 pp Luke 22:56 See also Esther 5:2,9; Matthew 13:55 pp Mark 6:3; Matthew 14:35 pp Mark 6:54; John 1:36,47-48 Examples of failure to recognise faces Genesis 42:8 See also Genesis 38:15; Luke 24:16; John 20:14 There is no evidence to suggest that Jesus Christ's post-resurrection face was different. The face may be used symbolically to represent the whole person The physical appearance of faces Attractive faces Songs 1:15-16 See also 1 Samuel 16:12; Ecclesiastes 8:1; Daniel 1:4 Disfigured faces Isaiah 52:14 See also Job 2:12; Matthew 27:29-30 pp Mark 14:65 pp Luke 22:63; John 18:22 Facial expressions The face expresses a person's mood Genesis 4:5 See also Genesis 21:6; 1 Samuel 1:18; Job 29:24; Daniel 5:6,9; Luke 24:17; John 20:15 Averting the face may express worship, respect, modesty or shame Exodus 3:6 See also Genesis 24:65; Ruth 2:10; 1 Samuel 5:3-4; 1 Kings 18:42; 1 Chronicles 21:21; Job 11:15; Psalm 83:16; Isaiah 6:2; Jeremiah 13:26; Luke 5:12 Setting the face expresses determination Luke 9:51 the literal translation is “set his face to go” Other gestures involving the human face Hiding the face from someone as a sign of loss of favour Deuteronomy 31:17-18; Job 13:24 Raising the face as a sign of lack of shame Slapping someone's face as a challenge or insult Spitting in someone's face as an insult Deuteronomy 25:9; Matthew 26:67 Seeing someone's face An indicator of acceptance Genesis 33:10 See also Genesis 43:3-4; Genesis 44:23-26; Deuteronomy 34:10 Indicating confrontation Galatians 2:11 See also 2 Samuel 14:24-32; 2 Kings 14:8 Not seeing someone's face may indicate rejection Examples of supernatural facial appearance Matthew 17:2 pp Mark 9:2-3 pp Luke 9:29 See also Exodus 34:30; Matthew 28:3 pp Mark 16:5 pp Luke 24:4; Acts 6:15; 2 Corinthians 3:7-8,18; Revelation 1:14,16 The face of God As a symbol of blessing Numbers 6:25-26 See also 2 Samuel 21:1; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalm 4:6; Psalm 31:16; Psalm 67:1; Psalm 80:19; Psalm 105:4; Psalm 119:135; Ezekiel 39:29 Seeking the LORD's face means seeking his will 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 27:8; Hosea 5:15 God's face may be turned away, hidden or set against people as a sign of opposition or removal from favour Deuteronomy 31:17 See also Leviticus 17:10; 2 Chronicles 30:9; Psalm 44:24; Isaiah 1:15; Isaiah 59:2; Isaiah 64:7; Ezekiel 14:8; Ezekiel 39:23; Micah 3:4; 1 Peter 3:12; Psalm 34:15-16 People cannot normally see God's face Exodus 33:20 See also Genesis 32:30; Deuteronomy 34:10; Job 13:15; Job 19:26-27; 1 Corinthians 13:12; Revelation 22:4 In the end all human beings will see God face to face. Isaiah 50:7 “Face of the earth” indicates the earth's total area See also Genesis 6:7; Genesis 7:4; Deuteronomy 6:15; Deuteronomy 14:2; Psalm 104:30; Zephaniah 1:2-3; Luke 21:35 See also
1255 face of God |
  |