Face of God

The face of God as a sign of blessing

Numbers 6:25–26 LEB

25 Yahweh will make shine his face on you and be gracious to you; 26 Yahweh will lift up his face upon you, and he will give you peace.’

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Parts of God’s face

His ears

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His eyes

Psalm 34:15 LEB

15 The eyes of Yahweh are toward the righteous, and his ears toward their cry for help.

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His hair

Daniel 7:9 LEB

9 “I continued watching until thrones were placed and an Ancient of Days sat; his clothing was like white snow and the hair of his head was like pure wool and his throne was a flame of fire and its wheels were burning fire.

His lips

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His mouth

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His nostrils

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The visibility of God’s face

His face cannot be seen

“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

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.

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The angels in heaven look upon the face of God

Matthew 18:10 LEB

10 “See to it that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven constantly see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

God must reveal himself if people are to see his face

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

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When God hides his face blessing is withheld

Complaints at God hiding his face

Psalm 44:24 LEB

24 Why do you hide your face? Have you forgotten our misery and our oppression?

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Cries for help

Psalm 27:9 LEB

9 Do not hide your face from me; do not turn your servant away in anger. You have been my help; do not abandon nor forsake me, O God of my salvation.

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Statements concerning God’s anger and judgment

Isaiah 54:8 LEB

8 I hid my face from you for a moment, in the flowing of anger, but I will have compassion on you with everlasting faithfulness” says your redeemer, Yahweh.

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Other phrases synonymous with God hiding his face

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God sets his face against sinners

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God’s face as a symbol of his favour

Seeking the face of God in prayer

2 Chronicles 7:14 LEB

14 then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and will pray and will seek my face and will turn from their evil ways, then I myself shall hear from the heavens and will forgive their sins and heal their land.

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Seeking the favour of God

Exodus 32:11 LEB

11 And Moses implored Yahweh his God, and he said, “Why, Yahweh, should your anger blaze against your people whom you brought up from the land of Egypt with great power and with a strong hand?

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Appearing before God in worship

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.

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

Numbers 6:25–26 LEB

25 Yahweh will make shine his face on you and be gracious to you; 26 Yahweh will lift up his face upon you, and he will give you peace.’

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

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).

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