Dictionary of Bible Themes: 1255 face of God

1255 face of God

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 1000 God » 1200 God, titles and descriptions of » 1255 face of God

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.

The face of God as a sign 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

Parts of God's face

His ears

2 Samuel 22:7; 2 Kings 19:28; Psalm 34:15; Psalm 102:2; Isaiah 59:1

His eyes

Psalm 34:15 See also Deuteronomy 11:12; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 139:16; Proverbs 15:3

His hair

Daniel 7:9

His lips

Psalm 89:34; Isaiah 11:4; Isaiah 30:27

His mouth

2 Samuel 22:9; Job 15:30; Isaiah 45:23

His nostrils

2 Samuel 22:9,16

The visibility of God's face

His face cannot be seen

Exodus 33:20-23 “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

Genesis 32:30 After 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. See also Exodus 33:11; Numbers 12:8; Deuteronomy 5:4; Deuteronomy 34:10; Ezekiel 20:35

The angels in heaven look upon the face of God

Matthew 18:10

God must reveal himself if people are to see his face

Job 34:29 The Greek word for “revelation” literally means “removing a veil from one's face”.

The righteous will see God's face in the life to come

1 Corinthians 13:12; Revelation 22:4

When God hides his face blessing is withheld

Complaints at God hiding his face

Psalm 44:24 See also Psalm 13:1; Psalm 88:14

Cries for help

Statements concerning God's anger and judgment

Isaiah 54:8 See also Deuteronomy 31:17-18; Psalm 22:24; Psalm 30:7; Psalm 51:9; Psalm 104:29; Isaiah 8:17; Isaiah 64:7; Jeremiah 33:5; Ezekiel 39:23-24; Micah 3:4; Revelation 6:16

Other phrases synonymous with God hiding his face

2 Chronicles 30:9; Jeremiah 18:17; Ezekiel 7:22

God sets his face against sinners

Leviticus 17:10; Leviticus 20:3; Leviticus 26:17; Psalm 34:16; Ezekiel 14:8; 1 Peter 3:12; Ezekiel 15:7

God's face as a symbol of his favour

Seeking the face of God in prayer

2 Chronicles 7:14 See also 2 Samuel 21:1; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalm 24:6; Psalm 105:4; Psalm 119:58; Hosea 5:15

Seeking the favour of God

Exodus 32:11 See also 1 Samuel 13:12; 2 Kings 13:4; 2 Chronicles 33:12; Jeremiah 26:19; Daniel 9:13; Zechariah 7:2; Zechariah 8:21; Malachi 1:9

Appearing before God in worship

Exodus 23:15 The 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. See also Exodus 23:17; Exodus 34:20; Deuteronomy 16:16; Deuteronomy 31:11; Psalm 42:2; Isaiah 1:12

The shining of God's face upon his people indicates his blessing

Numbers 6:25-26 See also Psalm 4:6; Psalm 31:16; Psalm 44:3; Psalm 67:1; Psalm 80:3,19; Psalm 119:135

God's face accompanies Israel as a symbol of his presence

Exodus 33:14 Literally “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). See also Deuteronomy 4:37; Isaiah 63:9