Face and presence, expressed by the same word in Hebrew, are often put for the person himself, Genesis 48:11 Exodus 33:14 Isaiah 63:9. No man has seen the face of God, that is, had a full revelation of his glory, Exodus 33:20 John 1:18 1 Timothy 6:16. To see him "face to face," is to enjoy his presence, Genesis 32:30 Numbers 14:14 Deuteronomy 5:4, and have a clear manifestation of his nature and grace, 1 Corinthians 13:12.

Means simply presence, as when it is recorded that Adam and Eve hid themselves from the "face [RSV, 'presence'] of the Lord God" (Genesis 3:8; Compare Exodus 33:14,15, where the same Hebrew word is rendered "presence"). The "light of God's countenance" is his favour (Psalms 44:3; Daniel 9:17). "Face" signifies also anger, justice, severity (Genesis 16:6,8; Exodus 2:15; Psalms 68:1; Revelation 6:16). To "provoke God to his face" (Isaiah 65:3) is to sin against him openly.

The Jews prayed with their faces toward the temple and Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:38,44,48; Daniel 6:10). To "see God's face" is to have access to him and to enjoy his favour (Psalms 17:15; 27:8). This is the privilege of holy angels (Matthew 18:10; Luke 1:19). The "face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6) is the office and person of Christ, the revealer of the glory of God (John 1:14,18).

FACE, n. L., to make.

1. In a general sense, the surface of a thing, or the side which presents itself to the view of a spectator; as the face of the earth; the face of the waters.

2. A part of the surface of a thing; or the plane surface of a solid. Thus, a cube or die has six faces an octahedron has eight faces.

3. The surface of the fore part of an animals head, particularly of the human head; the visage.

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread. Genesis 3.

Joseph bowed himself with his face to the earth. Genesis 48.

4. Countenance; cast of features; look; air of the face.

We set the best face on it we could.

5. The front of a thing; the forepart; the flat surface that presents itself first to view; as the face of a house. Ezekiel 41.

6. Visible state; appearance.

This would produce a new face of things in Europe.

7. Appearance; look.

Nor heaven, nor sea, their former face retained.

His dialogue has the face of probability.

8. State of confrontation. The witnesses were presented face to face.

9. Confidence; boldness; impudence; a bold front.

He has the face to charge others with false citations.

10. Presence; sight; as in the phrases, before the face, in the face, to the face, from the face.

11. The person.

I had not thought to see thy face. Genesis 48.

12. In scripture, face is used for anger or favor.

Hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne. Revelations 6.

Make thy face to shine on thy servant. Psalm 31.

How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? Psalm 8.

Hence, to seek the face, that is, to pray to, to seek the favor of.

To set the face against, is to oppose.

To accept ones face, is to show him favor or grant his request. So, to entreat the face, is to ask favor; but these phrases are nearly obsolete.

13. A distorted form of the face; as in the phrase, to make faces, or to make wry faces.

Face to face

1. When both parties are present; as, to have accusers face to face. Acts 25.

2. Nakedly; without the interposition of any other body.

Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face. 1 Corinthians 13.