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 parallels Mark 14:66–67, Luke 22:56 See also Esther 5:2, Esther 5:9; Matthew 13:55 parallel Mark 6:3; Matthew 14:35 parallel Mark 6:54; John 1:36, John 1:47–48
When Peter had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
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.
Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.
The face may be used symbolically to represent the whole person
The physical appearance of faces
Attractive faces
Song of Solomon 1:15–16 See also 1 Samuel 16:12; Ecclesiastes 8:1; Daniel 1:4
How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how very beautiful! Your eyes are like doves. How handsome you are, my beloved! Oh, how delightful! The soft grass is our bed.
Disfigured faces
Isaiah 52:14 See also Job 2:12; Matthew 27:29–30 parallels Mark 14:65, Luke 22:63; John 18:22
Just as many were appalled at Him— His appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man, and His form was marred beyond human likeness—
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, Daniel 5:9; Luke 24:17; John 20:15
but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.
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
Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
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
But Jacob insisted, “No, please! If I have found favor in your sight, then receive this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me favorably.
Indicating confrontation
Galatians 2:11 See also 2 Samuel 14:24–32; 2 Kings 14:8
When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
Not seeing someone's face may indicate rejection
Examples of supernatural facial appearance
Matthew 17:2 parallels Mark 9:2–3, Luke 9:29 See also Exodus 34:30; Matthew 28:3 parallels Mark 16:5, Luke 24:4; Acts 6:15; 2 Corinthians 3:7–8, 2 Corinthians 3:18; Revelation 1:14, Revelation 1:16
There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
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
may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’
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
On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, so that they will be consumed, and many troubles and afflictions will befall them. On that day they will say, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’
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
But He added, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.”
Because the Lord GOD helps Me, I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame.
``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
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.