CHAPTER 37

Face [panim] is an equivocal term, its equivocality being mostly with respect to its figurative use. It is the term designating the face of all living beings. Thus: And all faces are turned into paleness;¹ Wherefore are your faces so sad.² This use is frequent. It is also a term denoting anger. Thus: And her face³ was gone.⁴ The term is frequently used in this sense to denote the anger and wrath of God. Thus: The face⁵ of the Lord hath divided them;⁶ The face⁷ of the Lord is against them that do evil;⁸ My face⁹ shall go, and I will give thee rest;¹⁰ Then I will set My face¹¹ against that man and his family.¹² This use is frequent. It is also a term denoting the presence and station of an individual. Thus: He settled in the face of all his brethren;¹³ And in the face of all the people, I will be glorified¹⁴—meaning, while they are present; Surely he will blaspheme Thee to Thy face¹⁵—meaning, while Thou art present and existent. In this sense it is said: And the Lord spoke unto Moses face to face16—which means, as a presence to another presence without an intermediary, as is said: Come, let us look one another in the face.¹⁷ Thus Scripture says: The Lord spoke with you face to face.¹⁸ In another passage it explains, saying: Ye heard the voice of words, but ye saw no figure, only a voice.¹⁹ Hence this kind of speaking and hearing are described as being face to face. Similarly the words, And the Lord spoke unto Moses face to face, describe His speaking as being in the form of an address.²⁰ Accordingly it is said: Then he heard the voice speaking to him.²¹ It has accordingly been made clear to you that the hearing of a speech without the intermediary of an angel is described as being face to face. In this sense it is also said: But My face shall not be seen,²² meaning that the true reality of My existence [45a] as it veritably is cannot be grasped. Face is also an adverb of place that is rendered in Arabic by the words: “in front of thee”23 or “in thy presence.”²⁴ It is often used in this sense with regard to God, may He be exalted. Thus: In the face²⁵ of the Lord.²⁶ The biblical expression, But My face shall not be seen,²⁷ is understood in this sense in the interpretation of Onqelos, who translates: And those in front of Me shall not be seen. He indicates by this that there are likewise great created beings whom man cannot apprehend as they really are. These are the separate intellects. They have been thought to be in a relation to God as being constantly in front of Him and in His presence because of the power of the providence constantly watching over them. On the other hand, the things that in his opinion, I mean that of Onqelos, can be grasped in their true reality are such as are beneath the separate intellects with respect to their rank in that which exists. I mean things endowed with matter and form. Of them [Onqelos] has said: And thou shalt see that which is behind Me.²⁸ He means the beings from which I have, as it were, turned away, and upon which, speaking in parables, I have turned My back, because of their remoteness from the existence of God, may He be exalted. Further on you shall hear my interpretation of that which was demanded by Moses our Master, peace be on him. Face is also an adverb of time having the meaning: before or ancient.²⁹ Thus: In the face in Israel;³⁰ In the face³¹ Thou didst lay the foundation of the earth.32 Face is also a term denoting protection and providence. Thus: Thou shalt not bear the face of the poor;³³ And the honorable man;³⁴ Who does not bear the face.³⁵ This use is frequent. In this sense it is also said: The Lord bear His face³⁶ to thee and give thee peace,³⁷ which refers to His making providence accompany us.