What is the difference between the LORD'S face and His countenance in Numbers 6:24-27, which is known as the "priest's blessing"?
24 The Lord a bless you and b keep you; 25 the Lord c make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord d lift up his countenance 3 upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24 - 27
ESV - 24 The Lord bless you and keep you. 25 The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
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Asked January 14 2019
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Lena Wms
Supporter
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Tim Maas
Supporter
Without reference to any aspects of the Hebrew vocabulary or grammar used, I would say that (just in my opinion), the LORD making His face to shine upon and to be gracious to the person(s) being blessed would denote a more general condition of blessing and grace, in response to a universal need for that blessing and grace (comparable to the wide scope of the benefits of the sun's light), whereas the LORD lifting up His countenance upon the person(s) being blessed would describe a more personalized attention of looking with favor upon each specific individual, and the meeting of that individual's particular needs.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
Good question, Lena! “Face” according to Dr. Warren Wiersbe in Num. 6:25 is a symbol for Acceptance/Blessing (Face Shine on You). The last line of the blessing also has first the image and then the parallel interpretation – for God to lift up his face (countenance) is for God to give peace. The idea of the fallen face is one of anger (see Gen 4:6,7); and the idea of the hidden face is that of withholding support, favor, or peace (see Deut 31:18; Ps 30:8; Ps 44:25). If God lifts his face toward his people, it means he has given them peace – peace, prosperity, completeness, health, safety, general well-being, and the like. "Face" and "countenance" are the same thing, I think.
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