The Old Testament speaks of God, who is a Spirit, in human terms, i.e. His face, nostrils, finger, hand, and right arm. We know them as anthropomorphisms (“Anthropos” is the NT Greek word for human, and “morph” as in changing form). These figurative terms enable us to get a grasp on at least some of the many attributes and abilities of the Almighty. God is a spirit, but a spirit is intangible (John 4:24). So, in the Old Testament God speaks of Himself as having human-like characteristics
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 acceptance, His favour (Luke 1:28-30; Proverbs 16:15). In ancient times it was dangerous to be sad in a king’s presence! (Ezra 2:1, 2) Oriental potentates thought the sun shone out of them! When King Ahaseurus expressed his displeasure at Haman’s conduct, the king’s guards covered Haman’s face (Esther 7:8). From that moment he was as one dead.
2. God’s “right arm” is His saving power, when exercised on behalf of the helpless (Exodus 15:6; Psalm 118:16; Luke 1:51). The right arm of most people is stronger than the left. God’s “right arm” expresses His power to intervene on behalf of his people.
3. God’s “hand” refers to His “call” and His blessing on the life of those whom he calls (Ezekiel 1:3; 3:14; 8:1; 2 Kings 3:15). His “hand” expresses His personal covering, His sensitive touch, even on those who may at first be unresponsive.
4. God’s “finger” is His authority to direct. “Finger” in Luke 11:20 is translated “Spirit” in the parallel passage of Matthew 12:28. The Egyptians saw “the finger of God” in the judgemental signs that He had shown through Moses. The index finger also directed His people to the way they should go (Exodus 8:19).
5. God’s “nostrils” speaks of His indignation! Nostrils flare when a person becomes indignant. Does God get indignant? Yes! He snorts with anger! (2 Samuel 22:9; Psalm 18:8, 15) God doesn’t really have nostrils, of course — the expression reminds us that He can become very indignant!
When Isaiah prophesied “The government shall be upon his shoulder” he was saying that Messiah would bear the responsibility of governing the people. Responsibility is the ability to respond. The above-listed figurative expressions enabled God’s people to relate to Him in human terms. The ultimate expression of God to Man was Jesus, “the image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4).
Christians do not need anthropomorphisms to describe God, since in seeing Jesus, we see the Father (John 14:9). The indescribable God is portrayed perfectly in the Son of God. The glorified Jesus is also difficult to describe. When John the Apostle saw him, he found it necessary to use a cluster of magnificent metaphors to describe him — all of which were inadequate (Revelation 1:13-16); but then, no human expression can adequately describe the Risen Lord Jesus.
Those who cannot see the Father in His Son have to resort to those Old Testament anthropomorphisms. Those who are spiritual no longer need them, nor the tortuous six syllable word (which surely must have originated in the instructions found on the ancient equivalent of an IKEA flatpack).