Meaning
Face means simply presence, as when it is recorded that Adam and Eve hid themselves from the "face [R.V., 'presence'] of the Lord God" (Gen 3:8; comp. Ex 33:14, 15, where the same Hebrew word is rendered "presence"). The "light of God's countenance" is his favour (Ps 44:3; Dan 9:17). "Face" signifies also anger, justice, severity (Gen 16:6, 8; Ex 2:15; Ps 68:1; Rev 6:16). To "provoke God to his face" (Isa 65:3) is to sin against him openly.
The Jews prayed with their faces toward the temple and Jerusalem (1Kings 8:38, 44, 48; Dan 6:10). To "See God's face" is to have access to him and to enjoy his favour (Ps 17:15; 27:8). This is the privilege of holy angels (Matt 18:10; Luke 1:19). The "face of Jesus Christ" (2Cor 4:6) is the office and person of Christ, the revealer of the glory of God (John 1:14, 18).
