The Hebrew term panim (face) is homonymous; most of its various
meanings have a figurative character. It denotes in the first place the
face of a living being; comp. “And all faces are turned into paleness”
(Jer. xxx. 6); “Wherefore are your faces so sad?” (Gen. xl. 7). In this
sense the term occurs frequently.
The next meaning of the word is “anger”; comp. “And her anger (paneha)
was gone” (1 Sam. i. 18). Accordingly, the term is frequently used in
reference to God in the sense of anger and wrath; comp. “The anger
(pene) of the Lord hath divided them” (Lam. iv. 16); “The anger (pene)
of the Lord is against them that do evil” (Ps. xxxiv. 17); “Mine anger
(panai) shall go and I will give thee rest” (Exod. xxxiii. 14); “Then
will I set mine anger” (panai) (Lev. xx. 3); there are many other
instances.
Another meaning of the word is “the presence and existence of a
person”; comp. “He died in the presence (pene) [i.e., in the lifetime]
of all his brethren” (Gen. xxv. 18); “And in the presence (pene) of all
the people I will be glorified” (Lev. x. 3); “He will surely curse thee
in thy very presence” (paneka) (Job i. 11). In the same sense the word
is used in the following passage, “And the Lord spake unto Moses face
to face,” i.e., both being present, without any intervening medium
between them. Comp. “Come, let us look one another in the face” (2
Kings xiv. 8); and also “The Lord talked with you face to face” (Deut.
v. 4); instead of which we read more plainly in another place, “Ye
heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a
voice” (ib. iv. 12). The hearing of the voice without seeing any
similitude is termed “face to face.” Similarly do the words, “And the
Lord spake unto Moses face to face” correspond to “There he heard the
voice of one speaking unto him” (Num. vii. 89), in the description of
God’s speaking to Moses. Thus it will be clear to you that the
perception of the Divine voice without the intervention of an angel is
expressed by “face to face.” In the same sense the word panim must be
understood in “And my face (panai) shall not be seen” (Exod. xxxiii.
23); i.e., my true existence, as it is, cannot be comprehended.
The word panim is also used in Hebrew as an adverb of place, in the
sense of “before,” or “between the hands.” In this sense it is
frequently employed in reference to God; so also in the passage, “And
my face (panai) shall not be seen,” according to Onkelos, who renders
it, “And those before me shall not be seen.” He finds here an allusion
to the fact, that there are also higher created beings of such
superiority that their true nature cannot be perceived by man; viz.,
the ideals, separate intellects, which in their relation to God are
described as being constantly before Him, or between His hands, i.e.,
as enjoying uninterruptedly the closest attention of Divine Providence.
He, i.e., Onkelos, considers that the things which are described as
completely perceptible are those beings which, as regards existence,
are inferior to the ideals, viz., substance and form; in reference to
which we are told, “And thou shalt see that which is behind me”
(ibid.), i.e., beings, from which, as it were, I turn away, and which I
leave behind me. This figure is to represent the utter remoteness of
such beings from the Deity. You shall later on (chap. liv.) hear my
explanation of what Moses, our teacher, asked for.
The word is also used as an adverb of time, meaning “before.” Comp. “In
former time (le-phanim) in Israel” (Ruth iv. 7); “Of old (le-phanim)
hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth” (Ps. cii. 25).
Another signification of the word is “attention and regard.” Comp.
“Thou shalt not have regard (pene) to the poor” (Lev. xx. 15); “And a
person receiving attention (panim)” (Isa. iii. 3); “Who does not show
regard (panim),” etc. (Deut. x. 17, etc.). The word panim (face) has a
similar signification in the blessing, “The Lord turn his face to thee”
(i.e., The Lord let his providence accompany thee), “and give thee
peace.”