The Light of Your Face
Cannot see God face-to-face
Book of Exodus 33:20 God says "Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see Me and live", echoed in the Christian New Testament in the Gospel of John 1:18: "No man hath seen God at any time".
Jacob and the Mysterious Stranger
Jacob wrestling with the Angel is a biblical story commonly depicted in art. The story appears in chapter 32 of Genesis, and chapter 12 of the Book of Hosea. In Genesis 35:1-7 there is again a reference to the story.
Peniel = "Face of God"
Israel = "He fought God"
Shining Faces
- ×וֹר Make to shine, enkindle.
New Testament
Transfiguration of Jesus
Face of Stephen during martyrdom?
Priestly blessing
- May the LORD (YHWH) bless you and guard you -
- יְבָרֶכְךָ יהוה, וְיִשְ×מְרֶךָ
- ("YebhÄrÄ“kh-khÄ AdhÅnÄy weyishmerÄ“khÄ ...)
- May the LORD make His face shed light upon you and be gracious unto you -
- ×™Ö¸×ֵר יהוה ×¤Ö¸Ö¼× Ö¸×™×• ×ֵלֶיךָ, ×•Ö´×™×—Ö»× Ö¶Ö¼×šÖ¸Ö¼
- ("YÄʾēr AdhÅnÄy pÄnÄw Ä“lekhÄ wiḥunnékkÄ ...)
- May the LORD lift up His face unto you and give you peace -
- ×™Ö´×©Ö¸Ö¼×‚× ×™×”×•×” ×¤Ö¸Ö¼× Ö¸×™×• ×ֵלֶיךָ, ×•Ö°×™Ö¸×©Öµ×‚× ×œÖ°×šÖ¸ שָ×לוֹ×
- ("YissÄ AdhÅnÄy pÄnÄw Ä“lekhÄ wiyÄsÄ“m lekhÄ shÄlÅm.")
NAB
24 The LORD bless you and keep you!
25 The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
26 The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!
Our culture
- Beaming with pleasure: children on Christmas day, a proud parent watching a child perform well, "the look of love."
- Happiness makes our faces "light up." "Women aglow."
- Halos.
- New age religion: auras. (Just a parallel, not something I affirm.)
- Beatific vision.
- Sung by Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Michael Buble ...
- Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile.
- Light up your face with gladness
References