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Countenance: The Art and Science of Reading Facial Expressions



From Middle English contenaunce, countenaunce, from Anglo-Norman countenance and Old French contenance, from the present participle of contenir, or from Late Latin continentia, and therefore a doublet of continence.




countenance




In Judaism and Christianity, the concept is the manifestation of God rather than a remote immanence or delegation of an angel, even though a mortal would not be able to gaze directly upon him.[4] In Jewish mysticism, it is traditionally believed that even the angels who attend him cannot endure seeing the divine countenance directly.[5] Where there are references to visionary encounters, these are thought to be either products of the human imagination, as in dreams or, alternatively, a sight of the divine glory which surrounds God, not the Godhead itself.[6]


The "countenance divine" appears in the lines of the famous poem, And did those feet in ancient time, by William Blake which first appeared in the preface to his epic Milton: A Poem in Two Books. Blake thought highly of Milton's work saying, "I have the happiness of seeing the Divine countenance in ... Milton more distinctly than in any prince or hero."[16]


Hence in scriptural language, the light of Gods countenance is his smiles or favorable regards, his favor and grace; and to hide his face or countenance is to manifest his displeasure, and withdraw his gracious aids. So the rebuke of his countenance indicates his anger and frowns. Psalms 80:16.


This application of face or countenance which seems to be of high antiquity, proceeded probably from the practice of turning away the face to express anger, displeasure and refusal; a practice still common, but probably universal among rude nations. The opposite conduct would of course express favor. The grant of a petition is accompanied with a look directed to the petitioner; the refusal or denial, with an averted face. Hence,


The authors of this paper wish to draw attention to certain not-so-well-known aspects concerning the epithet "Knight of the Woeful Countenance", by which Cervantes' character Don Quixote is universally known. Cervantes used it to highlight the loss of his hero's molars and incisors; thus, the reduced vertical dimension of his face, along with his sagging cheeks and deepened facial furrows, was the reason for his permanently sorrowful countenance. Luis Martínez, a professional illustrator following instructions from the authors of this paper, has recreated the face of Don Quixote as Miguel de Cervantes may well have imagined it for his celebrated character.


  • Appearance.And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his COUNTENANCE was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. ( Luke 9:28-29 ) Source: A King James Dictionary. (Used with permission. Copyright Philip P. Kapusta) Bibliography Information"Entry for 'Countenance'". A King James Dictionary. Encyclopedias - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Countenance COUNTENANCE koun'-te-nans: (1) The noun (see also under the word \FACE\) is the translation of a variety of Hebrew and Greek expressions, panim; prosopon, being the most frequent. Besides these there are found mar'eh, "appearance," "shape," "comeliness," "visage," `ayin, "the eye," to'ar, "appearance," "figure," etc., and Aramaic ziw. To the Oriental the countenance mirrors, even more than to us, the character and feelings of the heart. The countenance (mar'eh) is"fair" (1 Samuel 17:42; 2 Samuel 14:27; Daniel 1:15); in 1 Samuel 16:12, literally, "fair of eyes"; "comely" (Song of Solomon 2:14); "beautiful" (to'ar, 1 Samuel 25:3); "cheerful" (panim, Proverbs 15:13); "angry" (Proverbs 15:23); "fierce" (Daniel 8:23); "troubled" (Ezekiel 27:35); "sad" (1 Samuel 1:18; Nehemiah 2:2,3; Ecclesiastes 7:3). The countenance is "sharpened" i.e. made keen (Proverbs 27:17); it "falls," i.e. looks despondent, disappointed (Genesis 4:5,6); is "cast down" (Job 29:24); "changed" (Job 14:20; compare "altered" into glory, Luke 9:29; Daniel 5:6,9,10; 7:28, Aramaic ziw). To settle one's countenance stedfastly upon a person (2 Kings 8:11) is synonymous with staring or gazing at a person. Not infrequently we find compound expressions such as "light of countenance," i.e. favor (Job 29:24; Psalms 4:6; 44:3; 89:15; 90:8); "health of countenance" (Psalms 41:11; 43:5); "help of countenance" (Psalms 42:5); "rebuke of countenance" (Psalms 80:16); "pride of countenance" (Hebrew 'aph, literally, "haughty," "lofty nose," Psalms 10:4). (2) As verb (Hebrew hadhar, "to countenance") we find the word in the King James Version of Exodus 23:3, where the Revisers translate "Neither shalt thou favor (the King James Version "countenance") a poor man in his cause." Here the meaning seems to be that no distinction of persons shall be made by the judge. See Leviticus 19:15, where, however, a different word is used. There is therefore no need of the emendation proposed by Knobel and accepted by Kautzsch, who would read gadhol, "great," for wedhal, "and the poor" of the text. The Septuagint has penes, "poor." H. L. E. LueringCopyright StatementThese files are public domain.Bibliography InformationOrr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'COUNTENANCE'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915. if (typeof(allpass_containerRequests) !== 'undefined') allpass_containerRequests.push([document.getElementById('allpass_container683'), 'Narrow', null, null]); Popular Articles Where Is God in Times of Loneliness? Ruth Clemence What Is the Day of Atonement? Lisa Loraine Baker Why Is Vulnerability So Crucial to Growing Our Faith? Ruth Clemence How to Share the Gift of Hope with Others Frank Santora 5 Ways to Truly Enjoy Christ Clarence L. Haynes Jr. What Is Epiphany? Clarence L. Haynes Jr. Featured Verse Topics Healing Bible Verses Worry and Anxiety Bible Verses Bible Verses About Grief Comforting Bible Verses God's Promises in the Bible Bible Verses For Faith in Hard Times Encouraging Bible Verses Friendship Bible Verses Forgiveness Bible Verses Strength Bible Verses Love Bible Verses Inspirational Bible Verses About Online Bible Sitemap Link to Us Advertise with Us Feedback

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