1210 God, human descriptions of

Figures of speech which describe God in human terms, sometimes referred to as anthropomorphisms. Since God is Spirit, these expressions help the human mind to understand God, and enable God to reveal himself to human beings.

Bodily form ascribed to God

Ex 33:23 See also Ge 18:2-14; Jos 5:13-15; Eze 1:26-28

His face Nu 6:25-26 See also Ps 27:8; Ps 51:9; Mt 18:10; Rev 22:4

His heart 2Ch 7:16 See also Ge 6:6; Ge 8:21; 1Sa 13:14; Ac 13:22

His hands Isa 14:27 See also 1Ch 28:19; 1Ch 29:14,16; Ps 45:4; Ac 2:33-34; 1Pe 3:22; 1Pe 5:6

His eyes 2Ch 16:9 See also Dt 11:12; Pr 15:3; Am 9:8; Zec 4:10; 1Pe 3:12; Ps 34:15

His feet Eze 43:7 See also Dt 33:3; 2Sa 22:10 pp Ps 18:9; Ps 45:5; Isa 60:13

His arm Isa 59:1; Jer 32:21 God’s arm is particularly used as a symbol of his power at the exodus. See also Ex 6:6; Dt 5:15; Job 40:9; Isa 51:9; Isa 52:10; Isa 63:5; Lk 1:51; Jn 12:38; Isa 53:1

His mind Ro 11:34 See also Isa 40:13; 1Sa 15:29; Jer 7:31; Heb 7:21; Ps 110:4

Human actions ascribed to God

He walks Ge 3:8 See also Lev 26:12; 2Co 6:16

He speaks Dt 4:12 See also Job 40:6; Ps 29:3-9; Ps 33:6,9; Eze 1:24; Mt 3:17 pp Mk 1:11 pp Lk 3:22; Ac 7:6

He rests Ge 2:2 See also Ex 20:11; Heb 4:4

He rides Ps 68:4 See also Dt 33:26; 2Sa 22:11 pp Ps 18:10; Ps 68:33; Hab 3:8

He laughs Ps 59:8 See also Ps 2:4; Ps 37:13

Other actions Isa 5:26 God whistles; Rev 3:20 God knocks

Human senses ascribed to God

He hears Ps 4:3 God’s hearing usually refers to his answering of prayer. See also Ge 16:11; 2Ch 7:14; Ps 94:9; Lk 1:13; Jn 11:42; Heb 5:7

He sees Ge 16:13 See also Ge 1:4; 2Ch 12:7; Ne 9:9; Pr 24:18; Eze 8:12-13; Jnh 3:10

He smells Ge 8:21 God’s smelling refers to his acceptance of sacrifices. See also Lev 1:9

God experiences emotion

He shows delight Zep 3:17 See also Dt 30:9; Ps 149:4; Isa 5:7; Isa 62:4

He is compassionate Jas 5:11 See also Ps 145:9; Isa 54:10; Hos 2:19; Hos 11:8; 2Co 1:3

He is angry Ps 95:10-11 See also 2Ki 17:11; Ps 78:58; Ps 106:29; Isa 5:25; Isa 54:8

He experiences pain Ge 6:6 See also 1Sa 15:11,35; 2Sa 24:16 pp 1Ch 21:15; Eze 6:9

Human occupations ascribed to God

Isa 29:16 God as a potter. See also Ex 15:3 God as a warrior; Ps 23:1 God as a shepherd; Heb 11:10 God as a builder

Human relationships ascribed to God

God as a loving husband Isa 54:5-8 See also Jer 3:14; Jer 31:32; Hos 2:16

God as a loving father Ps 103:13 See also Isa 1:2-3; Jer 31:9; Hos 11:1-4; Mt 11:27; Jn 16:27

God is not to be brought down to human levels

Hos 11:9 See also Nu 23:19; Job 9:32; Ps 50:21; Isa 55:8-9

See also