King James Bible Dictionary

Means simply presence, as when it is recorded that Adam and Eve hid themselves from the "face [R.V., presence'] of the Lord God" (Genesis 3:8; comp. 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).

Character revealed in
Isaiah 3:9

Transfigured:

Of Moses
Exodus 34:29-35

Of Jesus
Matthew 17:2; Luke 9:29

Covering of
Isaiah 6:2

Disfiguring of, in fasting
Matthew 6:16

FACE, noun [Latin , 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 3:19.

Joseph bowed himself with his face to the earth. Genesis 48:11.

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 41:14.

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 48:11.

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. Psalms 31:16.

How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? Psalms 13:1.

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 25:16.

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

Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face 1 Corinthians 13:12.

FACE, verb transitive

1. To meet in front; to oppose with firmness; to resist, or to meet for the purpose of stopping or opposing; as, to face an enemy in the field of battle.

I'll face this tempest, and deserve the name of king.

2. To stand opposite to; to stand with the face or front towards. The colleges in New Haven face the public square.

3. To cover with additional superficies; to cover in front; as a fortification faced with marble; to face a garment with silk.

To face down, to oppose boldly or impudently.

FACE, verb intransitive

1. To carry a false appearance; to play the hypocrite.

To lie, to face to forge.

2. To turn the face; as, to face to the right or left.

FA'CECLOTH, noun [face and cloth.] A cloth laid over the face of a corpse.

FA'CED, participle passive Covered in front. In composition, denoting the kind of face; as full-faced.

FA'CELESS, adjective Without a face.

FA'CEPAINTER, noun A painter of portraits; one who draws the likeness of the face.

FA'CEPAINTING, noun The act or art of painting portraits.

FAC'ET, noun

A little face; a small surface; as the facets of a diamond.

FACE'TE, adjective [Latin facetus.] Gay; cheerful. [Not in use.]

FACE'TENESS, noun Wit; pleasant representation. [Not used.]

FACE'TIOUS, adjective [Latin facetus; facetia, or plural ]

1. Merry; sportive; jocular; sprightly with wit and good humor; as a facetious companion.

2. Witty; full of pleasantry playful; exciting laughter; as a facetious story; a facetious reply.

FACE'TIOUSLY, adverb Merrily; gaily; wittily; with pleasantry.

FACE'TIOUSNESS, noun Sportive humor; pleasantry; the quality of exciting laughter or good humor.