Dictionary of Bible Themes: 1210 God, human descriptions of

1210 God, human descriptions of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

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Figures of speech which describe God in human terms, sometimes referred to as anthropomorphisms. Since God is Spirit, these expressions help the human mind to understand God, and enable God to reveal himself to human beings.

Bodily form ascribed to God

Exodus 33:23 See also Genesis 18:2-14; Joshua 5:13-15; Ezekiel 1:26-28

His face

Numbers 6:25-26 See also Psalm 27:8; Psalm 51:9; Matthew 18:10; Revelation 22:4

His heart

2 Chronicles 7:16 See also Genesis 6:6; Genesis 8:21; 1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22

His hands

Isaiah 14:27 See also 1 Chronicles 28:19; 1 C 14,16; Psalm 45:4; Acts 2:33-34; 1 Peter 3:22; Peter 5:6

His eyes

2 Chronicles 16:9 See also Deuteronomy 11:12; Proverbs 15:3; Amos 9:8; Zechariah 4:10; 1 Peter 3:12; Psalm 34:15

His feet

Ezekiel 43:7 See also Deuteronomy 33:3; 2 Samuel 22:10 pp Psalm 18:9; Psalm 45:5; Isaiah 60:13

His arm

Isaiah 59:1; Jeremiah 32:21 God's arm is particularly used as a symbol of his power at the exodus. See also Exodus 6:6; Deuteronomy 5:15; Job 40:9; Isaiah 51:9; Isaiah 52:10; Isaiah 63:5; Luke 1:51; John 12:38; Isaiah 53:1

His mind

Romans 11:34 See also Isaiah 40:13; 1 Samuel 15:29; Jeremiah 7:31; Hebrews 7:21; Psalm 110:4

Human actions ascribed to God

He walks

Genesis 3:8 See also Leviticus 26:12; 2 Corinthians 6:16

He speaks

Deuteronomy 4:12 See also Job 40:6; Psalm 29:3-9; Psalm 33:6,9; Ezekiel 1:24; Matthew 3:17 pp Mark 1:11 pp Luke 3:22; Acts 7:6

He rests

Genesis 2:2 See also Exodus 20:11; Hebrews 4:4

He rides

He laughs

Psalm 59:8 See also Psalm 2:4; Psalm 37:13

Other actions

Isaiah 5:26 God whistles; Revelation 3:20 God knocks

Human senses ascribed to God

He hears

Psalm 4:3 God's hearing usually refers to his answering of prayer. See also Genesis 16:11; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 94:9; Luke 1:13; John 11:42; Hebrews 5:7

He sees

Genesis 16:13 See also Genesis 1:4; 2 Chronicles 12:7; Nehemiah 9:9; Proverbs 24:18; Ezekiel 8:12-13; Jonah 3:10

He smells

Genesis 8:21 God's smelling refers to his acceptance of sacrifices. See also Leviticus 1:9

God experiences emotion

He shows delight

Zephaniah 3:17 See also Deuteronomy 30:9; Psalm 149:4; Isaiah 5:7; Isaiah 62:4

He is compassionate

He is angry

Psalm 95:10-11 See also 2 Kings 17:11; Psalm 78:58; Psalm 106:29; Isaiah 5:25; Isaiah 54:8

He experiences pain

Genesis 6:6 See also 1 Samuel 15:11,35; 2 Samuel 24:16 pp 1 Chronicles 21:15; Ezekiel 6:9

Human occupations ascribed to God

Isaiah 29:16 God as a potter. See also Exodus 15:3 God as a warrior; Psalm 23:1 God as a shepherd; Hebrews 11:10 God as a builder

Human relationships ascribed to God

God as a loving husband

Isaiah 54:5-8 See also Jeremiah 3:14; Jeremiah 31:32; Hosea 2:16

God as a loving father

Psalm 103:13 See also Isaiah 1:2-3; Jeremiah 31:9; Hosea 11:1-4; Matthew 11:27; John 16:27

God is not to be brought down to human levels