Topical Encyclopedia
The forehead, in biblical literature, often symbolizes identity, character, and allegiance. It is a prominent part of the human body and serves as a visible marker in various scriptural contexts, both literal and metaphorical.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, the forehead is frequently mentioned in contexts of consecration and identity. For instance, in
Exodus 28:36-38, the high priest Aaron is instructed to wear a gold plate on his forehead inscribed with "Holy to the LORD." This signifies the dedication and sanctity required of those who serve in the priestly office. The forehead here represents the visible commitment to God’s holiness.
Ezekiel 9:4-6 provides another significant reference, where God commands a mark to be placed on the foreheads of those who lament over the abominations committed in Jerusalem. This mark serves as a sign of protection and divine favor, distinguishing the righteous from the wicked during the impending judgment.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the forehead continues to symbolize allegiance and identity, particularly in the apocalyptic literature of Revelation.
Revelation 7:3 and 14:1 describe the sealing of the servants of God on their foreheads, indicating divine ownership and protection. This seal contrasts with the mark of the beast mentioned in
Revelation 13:16-17, which is also placed on the forehead (or the right hand) and signifies allegiance to the beast and participation in its economic system.
The imagery of the forehead in Revelation underscores the theme of spiritual warfare and the ultimate division between those who belong to God and those who align with evil. The forehead, as a visible and prominent part of the body, serves as a metaphor for the public and undeniable nature of one's allegiance.
Symbolism and InterpretationThroughout the Bible, the forehead is a symbol of one's inner character and outward identity. It represents the mind and thoughts, as seen in the metaphorical use of "hard forehead" or "stiff-necked" to describe stubbornness and rebellion against God (
Ezekiel 3:7-9). The forehead, therefore, is not just a physical feature but a representation of one's spiritual state and relationship with God.
In biblical symbolism, the forehead often serves as a canvas for divine or demonic marks, indicating the spiritual realities that govern human lives. Whether it is the mark of protection for the faithful or the mark of allegiance to the beast, the forehead signifies the visible and public declaration of one's spiritual standing.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Near Eastern cultures, the forehead was often associated with identity and status. Marks or inscriptions on the forehead could denote ownership, servitude, or religious devotion. This cultural understanding provides a backdrop for the biblical use of forehead imagery, where marks signify deeper spiritual truths and divine claims over individuals.
The biblical emphasis on the forehead as a site of marking and identity reflects the broader theological themes of covenant, consecration, and judgment. It serves as a reminder of the visible and public nature of one's faith and the ultimate accountability to God.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
ForeheadThe practice of veiling the face (forehead) in public for women of the high classes, especially married women, in the East, sufficiently stigmatizes with reproach the unveiled face of women of bad character. (Genesis 24:64;Jeremiah 3:3) The custom among many Oriental nations both of coloring the face and forehead and of impressing on the body marks indicative of devotion to some special deity or religious sect is mentioned elsewhere. The "jewels for the forehead," mentioned by Ezekiel, (Ezekiel 16:12) and in margin of Authorized Version, (Genesis 24:22) were in all probability nose-rings. (Isaiah 3:21)
ATS Bible Dictionary
ForeheadEzekiel 9:1-11;Revelation 7:3. The devotees of different idols in India receive at this day different marks on the forehead, distinguishing them one from another. By a similar method the slaves claimed by different owners were sometimes designated.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The practice common among Oriental nations of colouring the forehead or impressing on it some distinctive Mark as a sign of devotion to some deity is alluded to in
Revelation 13:16, 17;
14:9;
17:5;
20:4.
The "jewel on thy forehead" mentioned inEzek. 16:12 (R.V., "a ring upon thy nose") was in all probability the "nose-ring" (Isaiah 3:21).
InEzek. 3:7 the word "impudent" is rightly rendered in the Revised Version "an hard forehead." (See also ver. 8, 9.)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The front of that part of the head which encloses the brain; that part of the face above the eyes; the brow.
2. (n.) The aspect or countenance; assurance.
3. (n.) The front or fore part of anything.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FOREHEADfor'-ed (metsach; metopon):
(1) In a literal sense the word is used frequently in the Scriptures. Aaron and after him every high priest was to wear on the forehead the golden frontlet having the engraved motto, "Holy to Yahweh" (Exodus 28:36, 38). The condition of the forehead was an important criterion in the diagnosis of leprosy by the priest (Leviticus 13:42, 432 Chronicles 26:20). It was in the forehead that brave young David smote Goliath with the stone from his sling (1 Samuel 17:49). The faulty translation of the King James Version inEzekiel 16:12 has been corrected in the Revised Version (British and American), reference being had in the passage to a nose-ring, not to an ornament of the forehead. While the cutting or tattooing of the body was strictly forbidden to the Israelite on account of the heathen associations of the custom (Leviticus 19:28), we find frequent mention made of markings on the forehead, which were especially used to designate slaves (see Philo, De Monarchia, I) or devotees of a godhead (Lucian, De Syria Dea, 59). In 3 Maccabees 2:29 we read that Ptolemy IV Philopator branded some Jews with the sign of an ivy leaf, marking them as devotees of Bacchus-Dionysos. Possibly we may compare herewith the translation ofIsaiah 44:5 (Revised Version margin): "And another shall write on his hand, Unto Yahweh" (or Yahweh's slave). Very clear is the passageEzekiel 9:4, 6 (and perhapsJob 31:35), where the word used for "mark" is taw, the name of the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet which in its earliest form has the shape of an upright plus sign (Baal Lebanon Inscr; 11th century B.C.) or of a lying (St Andrew's) cross X (Moabite Inscr, 9th century B.C.), the simplest sign in the old Israelite alphabet, and at the same time the character which in the Greek alphabet represents the X, the initial of Christ. In the New Testament we find a clear echo of the above-mentioned Old Testament passage, the marking of the foreheads of the righteous (Revelation 7:3;Revelation 9:4;Revelation 14:1;Revelation 22:4). The godless followers of the beast are marked on the (right) hand and on the forehead (Revelation 13:16;Revelation 14:9;Revelation 20:4), and the apocalyptic woman dressed in scarlet and purple has her name written on her forehead (Revelation 17:5).
(2) In a metaphorical sense the expression, "a harlot's forehead," is used (Jeremiah 3:3) to describe the shameless apostasy and faithlessness of Israel. Ezekiel speaks of the stiff-necked obstinacy and the persistent unwillingness of Israel to hear the message of Yahweh: "All the house of Israel are of a hard forehead and of a stiff heart" (Jeremiah 3:7), and God makes his prophet's "forehead hard. as an adamant harder than flint," whereby an unflinching loyalty to God and a complete disregard of opposition is meant (Jeremiah 3:8, 9). Compare the phrase: "to harden the face," under the word FACE.
H. L. E. Luering
Greek
3359. metopon -- theforehead... the
forehead. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: metopon Phonetic Spelling:
(met'-o-pon) Short Definition: the
forehead Definition: the
forehead...5440. phulakterion -- an outpost, fortification, an amulet
... a phylactery, an amulet, a parchment capsule containing little parchment rolls with
the Hebrew texts, affixed to the left upper arm or theforehead of men at...
3790. ophrus -- an eyebrow
... Perhaps from optanomai (through the idea of the shading or proximity to the organ
of vision); the eye-"brow" orforehead, ie (figuratively) the brink of a...
Strong's Hebrew
1371. gibbeach -- having a baldforehead... 1370, 1371. gibbeach. 1372 . having a bald
forehead. Transliteration: gibbeach
Phonetic Spelling: (ghib-bay'-akh) Short Definition:
forehead.
...4696. metsach -- brow,forehead
... 4695, 4696. metsach. 4697 . brow,forehead. Transliteration: metsach
Phonetic Spelling: (may'-tsakh) Short Definition:forehead....
1372. gabbachath -- a baldforehead
... 1371, 1372. gabbachath. 1373 . a baldforehead. Transliteration: gabbachath
Phonetic Spelling: (gab-bakh'-ath) Short Definition:forehead....
639. aph -- a nostril, nose, face, anger
... anger (1). angry, before, countenance, face, forbearing,forehead,
longsuffering, nose,. From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril...
5869. ayin -- an eye
... 1), disdained* (1), displease* (2), displeased* (4), disregard* (1), eye (68), eyebrows*
(1), eyelids* (1), eyes (372), eyesight (1),forehead* (5), generous...
996. bayin -- an interval, space between
... bin Definition an interval, space between NASB Word Usage above* (1), among (30),
among* (1), between (204), champion* (2), either (2),forehead* (5), midst (3...
6285. peah -- corner, side
... Word Origin from paah Definition corner, side NASB Word Usage boundary (1), corner
(1), corners (6), edges (2),forehead (2), sector (1), side (69), side...
2903. totaphoth -- bands
... frontlet. From an unusued root meaning to go around or bind; a fillet for theforehead
-- frontlet. 2902, 2903. totaphoth. 2904 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Whether this Sacrament Should be Given to Man on theForehead?
... CONFIRMATION (Q ) Whether this sacrament should be given to man on theforehead?...
Therefore this sacrament should not be given on theforehead only....
Ninth Day. Holiness and Mediation.
... And it shall be upon Aaron'sforehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy
things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts...
On the Sacramentals
... A. We make the Sign of the Cross by putting the right hand to theforehead, then
on the breast, and then to the left and right shoulders; saying, In the name...
Epistle xxvi. To Januarius, Bishop.
... by presbyters both in the East and West: the second for confirmation after baptism,
was with chrism (a mixture of oil and balsam), on theforehead, and in the...
On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xii. 15, "And He Said unto Them...
... then, Brethren, to whom as believers the Gospel is read, by whom He who spake these
things, is worshipped, whose mark is borne by us on ourforehead, and is...
Whether Only a Bishop Can Confer this Sacrament?
... custom of our Church: but if this trouble some so very much we permit priests, where
no bishop is to be had, to anoint the baptized on theforehead with chrism...
Psalm CXLII.
... way. So far am I from blushing at the Cross, that in no secret place do
I keep the Cross of Christ, but bear it on myforehead....
On Confirmation
... A. The bishop extends his hands over those who are to be confirmed, prays that they
may receive the Holy Ghost, and anoints theforehead of each with holy...
Then that Abominable one Will Send his Commands Throughout Every...
... to him." And by reason of the scarcity of food, all will go to him and worship him;
and he will put his mark on their right hand and on theirforehead, that no...
The Prince Returns
... the boy, with the exquisite beauty of sleep on his heavy lids, would creep over
from his vigil at the door and lay his cool hand on the sick man'sforehead....
Thesaurus
Forehead (23 Occurrences)... The practice common among Oriental nations of colouring the
forehead or impressing
on it some distinctive Mark as a sign of devotion to some deity is alluded
...Forehead-bald (1 Occurrence)
Forehead-bald.Forehead,Forehead-bald. Foreheads . Multi-Version
ConcordanceForehead-bald (1 Occurrence). Leviticus...
Bald (12 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Leviticus 13:41 If his hair has fallen
off from the front part of his head, he isforehead bald. He is clean....
White-reddish (4 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:42 And if there be in the bald head, or baldforehead, a white-reddish
sore, it is a leprosy which hath broken out in his bald head, or his bald...
Infectious (19 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:42 But if there is in the bald head, or the baldforehead, a
reddish-white plague; it is leprosy breaking out in his bald head, or his bald...
Frontlets (3 Occurrences)
... Those worn on theforehead were written on four strips of parchment, and put into
four little cells within a square case, which had on it the Hebrew letter...
Frontal (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) of or pertaining to theforehead or the anterior part of the roof
of the brain case; as, the frontal bones. 3. (n.) Something...
Reddish-white (4 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:42 But if there is in the bald head, or the baldforehead, a
reddish-white plague; it is leprosy breaking out in his bald head, or his bald...
Reddish (6 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:42 But if there is in the bald head, or the baldforehead, a
reddish-white plague; it is leprosy breaking out in his bald head, or his bald...
Printed (2 Occurrences)
... The use of the inkhorn in setting the mark upon theforehead (Ezekiel 9:3, 4, 6)
certainly points to marking with color rather than branding. See INK-HORN....
Resources
What is Ash Wednesday? | GotQuestions.orgSign of the cross - what is the meaning? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the mark of the beast? | GotQuestions.orgForehead: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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