GOD, JUST LIKE US

𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗺

Anthropomorphism is “attributing human characteristics to God. God is a spirit and does not have a physical body like human beings. However, the only way we human beings can understand God is to think of Him in the sphere we know—having a body like we have.” (Cain and Keener, 2012). Here, God is described as if He has a body like man. The writers of the Bible often used such idiomatic expressions to help readers better understand who God is and how He interacts with us.

We know that God is spirit (Jn 4:24), and a spirit does not have a physical body (Lk 24:39). Obviously, Christ is an exception because He is God who became man. The following examples of passages must not be taken literally, as if God has physical body parts, but we still need to understand the point of comparison.

Face (Ex 33:23; Ps 10:11; Jer 21:10)

Eyes (2 Chron 7:16; Ps 11:4; Jer 16:17)
Ear (Ps 10:17; Isa 37:17; Dan 9:18)
Nose (Ex 15:8; Ps 18:15; Isa 65:5)
Mouth (1 Kgs 8:24; Isa 34:16; Mic 4:4)
Voice (Job 40:9; Dan 9:11, 14)
Arm (Deut 11:2; Isa 62:8; Jer 21:5)
Hand (Ex 33:23; Isa 50:2; Jer 1:9)
Back (Ex 33:23; Isa 38:17; Jer 18:17)
Soul and heart (Gen 6:6; 2 Chron 7:16; Ps 11:5)
Feet (Ex 24:10; Ps 77:19; Isa 60:13)
Form (Ps 17:15)

The key is to understand the function of the body part so we can relate it to God. We use our hands and arms to do many things, so they can represent strength. When the Bible mentions “His mighty hand and His outstretched arm” (Deut 11:2), it demonstrates God’s strength in fulfilling His purposes. Through our eyes, we see, observe, and watch over. That helps us understand the statement, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” (2 Chron 16:9), meaning God watches over those who fear Him and is ready to help them.

𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗺

Biblical writers also described God as having emotions and thoughts like us. This is called Anthropopathism. These verses reveal a deeper reality about God that goes beyond the actual emotions or thoughts mentioned. Let’s look at some examples:

God remembers (Gen 8:1; 19:29; 30:22; 1 Sam 1:19, etc.). This does not mean God forgets and later recalls someone. Rather, it often means God chose to act at a specific time after seemingly being quiet. God “remembered” Noah and those with him (Gen 8:1), not because He forgot them, but because for a time He allowed the waters to prevail (7:24). Then God caused the waters to recede (8:1–3) so that Noah and his family could leave the ark. The simplest way to describe this is: God remembered them after some time, though in reality, He was always aware of them. After all, He was the One who commanded them to enter the ark! God also remembered Hannah (1 Sam 1:19), and she conceived. After what seemed like a long wait, God decided to give her a son (see also 1:5–6).

God repents/changes His mind (Gen 6:6–7; Ex 32:14; Jer 26:19; 1 Sam 15:11, etc.). This does not mean God made a mistake, regretted it, and changed His mind. Nor does it mean God learned something He did not previously know. The simplest explanation is that God’s response or attitude changed because human behavior changed. In Gen 6:6, God “regretted” creating mankind—not because His creation was a mistake, but because people had become corrupt and evil (6:5). Therefore, He changed His attitude toward them. God also “relented” from destroying Nineveh (Jonah 3:10), not because He suddenly viewed their sin differently, but because they repented. From a human perspective, it looks like God changed His mind. In reality, He already knew they would repent. Nothing in God’s knowledge changed; only His dealings with people did, in response to their change.

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The biblical writers’ use of these descriptions leads us to a beautiful truth: God can relate to us, and we can relate to Him. This makes the incarnation of Jesus even more significant. We came to know more fully who God is because He also became human like us. In Christ, we can relate to God, and He can relate to us. Stay Curious.

Sources and Studies:

McCain D. and, Keener, C. (2012). “The Rule of Figurative Language”. 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴. (pp. 201-218). African Christian Books
Sterrett, N.T. (1974). “Hebrew Idioms” . 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. (pp. 123-130). InterVarsity Press