God’s description of Himself as having “nostrils”, “a face” “a hand” and a strong “right arm” are anthropomorphisms. (In NT Greek, “anthros” is generic for man, and “morph” refers to a change in form or fashion.) Together with other human body parts, these word pictures help us to understand His attributes.
An abstract concept is a thing that exists in the mind and so is not visible to the human eye and even incomprehensible.
Jesus said that God is a spirit– an abstract and indefinable statement. (John 4:24) In the scriptures, human characteristics are attributed to God so that human experiences and encounters with Him can be described and understood. The five major anthropomorphisms in the Bible are:
1. God’s “face”. Often referred to as His “countenance” (a little used word these days). God’s “face’ is His favour, His acceptance. (Luke 1:28-30; Proverbs 16:15) In ancient days, it was dangerous to be sad of face in a king’s presence! (Ezra 2:1,2) Oriental potentates thought the sun shone out of their face! When King Ahasuerus expressed his displeasure at Haman’s conduct, the king’s guards covered the evil man’s face and when they did so he was as good as dead (Esther 7:8).
2. God’s “right arm”. This is His saving power exercised on behalf of a person or persons (Exodus 15:6; Psalm 118:16; Luke 1:51). The right arm is normally the strongest. When God intervenes and rescues, the expression “right arm” pictures God’s mighty power at work.
3. God’s “hand”. *This expression refers both to God’s “call” and to His blessing on a person’s life, especially in revelation. (Ezekiel 1:3; 3:14; 8:1; 2 Kings 3:15) God’s “hand” expresses His very personal, sensitive touch on a person’s life, and when resisted, His “hand” rests heavily.
4. God’s “finger”. *His directive authority. Translated as “finger” in Luke 11:20 and “Spirit” in the parallel passage of Matthew 12:28. The Egyptians saw “the finger of God” in the signs that He showed through Moses (Exodus 8:19). The expression refers to the pointing index finger of accusation.
5. God’s “nostrils”. *His indignation! The nostrils flare when a person is indignant. Does God get indignant? Yes! He snorts, so to speak, with anger! (2 Samuel 22:9; Psalm 18:8,15) It’s a powerful word picture.
An anthropomorphism is a figurative expression which enables us to relate to the Divine in human terminology. The ultimate expression of God was Jesus – “God manifest in the flesh”. No anthropomorphism but God in a man, and so one who could be touched! (1 John 1:1) “He that has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)
God in Christ made anthropomorphisms largely redundant. However, they do serve to express God in descriptive terms, which, to those who’ve not yet seen Him in Jesus, picture Him as more ‘human’, and so more relatable.
Those who are spiritual see the Father in the Son, the Son in the Father, and themselves as in the Father and the Son. (John 17:21) A tri-unity of love!