The "Faces" of God
Within the Hebrew text, the term, “The face of God” is always plural but never translated correctly as "The Faces of God.” This is not simply a Hebrew idiom but a reference to the Godhead, and scholars should not hide this.
The Faces of Yahweh speaks to the Godhead. The name Yahweh is a plural word, i.e., the Godhead.
The plural word Elohiym [Gods], when referring to YHWH is the plural Godhead.
The plural word Adonai [Lords], when referring to YHWH, is the plural Godhead.
The term “The Faces of God” is not idiomatic. Anywhere the Hebrew uses the term “faces,” there is indeed a plurality present within the context. The Hebrew text refers to the faces of mortals, the faces of the sea, the faces of the earth. All of these are indeed pluralities.
Mortals are plural beings made in the image of their Creator, who is a plural being. We are body, soul, and spirit. From the perspective of our Creator, we have more than one “face.” The earth, as well, has more than one face, as does the sea.
If the literal and correct translation, Faces of God, was used—as it should be—there might be less controversy over the existence of the Godhead. We serve ONE God and ONE Lord, … who just happens to be a plural being.
Hear O Israel, YHWH our ELOHIM is ONE YHWH….
Jocelyn Andersen is the author of several non-fiction books, including, Redemption: Bible Prophecy Simplified, a Study of HOPE.
She will be releasing e-book and print [comprehensive] commentaries on every book of the Bible she features in this column. Click HERE to subscribe to book release announcements via her newsletter and for links to all her Substack columns. Connect with Jocelyn on Goodreads and LinkedIn.
Note from the editor: I read my Bible every day, always picking up today where I left off yesterday. I have been doing that for over 44 years. The posts on this column are notes on whatever passage I happen to be reading on that particular day. Read more about this commentary HERE.