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

Deuteronomy 7:10

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

Job 11:15

Slapping someone's face as a challenge or insult

1 Kings 22:24; John 18:22

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

Exodus 10:28

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
5141  cheeks
5148  ear
5149  eyes
5154  forehead
5164  lips
5167  mouth
5865  gestures
5947  shame
8469  respect