What Does God Look Like In The Bible?
What does God look like according to the Bible – and how do we decide? While the Bible does not specify exact physical features, it does describe God’s character, what He is like, and how we should express our love and reverence for Him. The Bible gives us clues as to who, or what God looks like, by portraying Him as a loving, powerful and merciful King.
The Bible illustrates God’s attributes as a Father and a King and His human-like qualities such as love, mercy and justice. In Exodus 34:6-7, God reveals himself to Moses as He passes by and says, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.”
God is fully described in the Bible as a Spirit, and not physical. He is Creator and ruler of Heaven and Earth, and in the book of Genesis, God is described as highly creative. He is also spoken of as having a personal relationship with individuals and communities, appearing to them in human form, theophany, and engaging with them directly, as seen in Bible stories.
The Bible contains s few descriptions of a physical form that God might take on. He is said to have eyes (2 chronicles 16:9), a mouth (Exodus 33:11), feet and hands ( Exodus 24:10) and a face (Exodus 33:20). He is described as having a back (Exodus 33:23) and a chest ( Exodus 33:22). He is also said to be wearing a robe with a belt and a crown (Isaiah 62:3).
Beyond this, God is an invisible Spirit, which cannot be seen by human eyes. This suggests that God is not a physical being, but a divine being of light, with the power to shape the universe and command legions of angels. In John 4:24, Jesus says, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” So, how we worship God doesn’t pertain to physical appearance, but to how we reverence and obey Him.
God also appears in dreams, visions and in different forms. In Genesis 18, three men appear to Abraham, and are later identified as angels. In Daniel chapter 10, Daniel has a vision of a “man dressed in linen,” whose appearance terrified him. This “man” is later identified as the Angel Gabriel. In Judges 13, God appears to Samson’s parents as “an angel of the Lord” and in Ezekiel 1:26-28, Ezekiel sees the throne room of God, with a figure like the “likeness of a human being.”
Part of the mystery of God is that He can appear any way He chooses, including in physical form. He is not limited to our human expectations and imagination. John 1:18 says, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” This underscores the belief that, to some degree, God’s appearances in the Bible remind us of His love and mercy, while simultaneously leaving room for mystery and awe.
God’s Characteristics As Described In the Bible
God is lovingly described in the Bible as all-powerful, all-seeing and all-knowing. He is infinite in His knowledge and understanding and can see the future. He is also infinite in His love and mercy, showing mercy towards people even when they have wronged Him. He is also just and will punish those who disobey Him.
He responds to the prayers of His people. He is concerned for their well-being and will protect them from harm. He is a provider, a source of strength and comfort in times of need. He is patient and listens when people call on Him. He is gracious and forgiving, and gives copies when people repent.
God is also described as being faith-filled and faithful. In Hebrews 11:6 we are reminded that “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” He is loyal to His people and will never forsake them, even when they reject Him.
God is holy and righteous. He is “of purer eyes than to behold evil and cannot look at wrong” (Habakkuk 1:13). He is perfect in all His ways and hates sin. God is also described as being a source of strength, wisdom, and compassion. In 2 Chronicles 16:9, we see a majestic description of God: “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”
God’s Messengers as Described in the Bible
God sends messengers to interact with humans and to provide them with spiritual guidance. These messengers are often referred to as angels. The Bible mentions more than 300 times the existence of angels and the roles they play. Some angels serve as attendants behind God’s throne. Others serve God by bringing messages, protecting humans, and engaging in spiritual warfare against evil forces.
The Bible speaks of three different kinds of angels: cherubs, seraphs, and archangels. Cherubs are typically depicted as having the body of a human with four wings and four faces. Seraphs are six-winged warriors who protect and carry out the will of God. The most famous archangel is Michael, who is described in Daniel 10:13 as “one of the chief princes.”
Angels are commonly seen in the Bible as they are sent by God to represent Him in times of need or crisis. They are often seen as messengers of hope and comfort, such as the angel who appeared to Hagar in Genesis 16:7-12 to deliver a message of promise, or the angels who appeared to the shepherds in the Christmas story.
God also sends people, known as prophets, to instruct his people. The Bible mentions dozens of them, such as Abraham, Moses, Isaiah and Jeremiah. They were given the task of speaking for God, serving as His messengers, and teaching His people about righteousness.
How Should We Picture God?
Though the Bible does not give an exact physical description of God, it does show Him in action and in relation to His creation. While we should not seek to picture God in human terms, a physical representation of Him may help us to connect to His character and will.
We can picture God as our loving Father, a King, or a spirit of holy fire. We can also see Him as a wise, faithful and righteous leader. He is our provider, our protector, our guide and our hope. We can also see Him as our friend, our confidante, our teacher and our companion.
The Bible describes many of His attributes, in terms of character and emotion, that can help us to understand God on a deeper level. We can use these descriptions to form a personal understanding of who God is and how to worship Him. We can look to His life and His word to form a relationship with Him and be in awe of his power and divine nature.
God’s Relationship With His People
God, through the Bible, reveals Himself as a loving Father who desires to have a personal, close relationship with His people. He is patient and forgiving in His dealings with them and has provided a way for them to be reconciled to Him. He is a source of hope, healing, and joy and longs to draw closer to His people.
The Bible often speaks of God’s love and desire to protect us. Psalm 91:4 declares, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” In Jeremiah 29:11, God says, “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God desires His people to trust in Him, lean on Him and live according to His instructions. In Proverbs 3:5-6, He tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” This verse encourages us to trust in God and rely on Him for everything. He will be our source of strength and comfort in times of need.
God’s Plan for Us
God has an ultimate plan for us and wants us to understand His love, have faith in Him, and live lives that glorify Him. He has given us a path to follow, through His Word and through His Son, Jesus Christ. According to the Bible, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and God wants us to believe in Him and humbly accept His invitation to follow Him.
The Bible promises that those who follow Jesus faithfully will receive an inheritance in heaven. In Ephesians 1:18, the Bible says, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints.” This verse speaks of the hope and promise God has for us, if we trust in Him and seek Him.
God’s ultimate plan for us is to be with Him eternally and to understand His fullness and glory. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, it says, “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” This shows us that transformation is possible, if only we submit to God and accept His perfect plan.
