Abstract:
The attribution of anthropomorphic characteristics to God in the Hebrew Bible has been
a subject of considerable debate among scholars, especially regarding its implications
for comprehending divine transcendence and immanence. This study examines the
anthropomorphic features of God as depicted in the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament),
while addressing the ongoing theological and philosophical debate about attributing
human characteristics to a transcendent being. The research explores the tension between
God’s transcendence and immanence by investigating whether anthropomorphic
depictions are literal, figurative, or reflective of the divine self-revelation. The study
conducts a theological analysis of selected Old Testament scriptures, categorizing
anthropomorphism into four distinct forms: structural, gestural, character-based, and
aware anthropomorphism. A literature-based research methodology was used which
involved analysis of selected biblical texts, engaging scholarly interpretations and
comparative perspectives within the broader Ancient Near Eastern context. The paper
contends that anthropomorphic depictions within the Bible are not solely metaphorical
devices or projections of human qualities; instead, they serve as a fundamental
theological framework that articulates God’s relational and communicative presence. It
found that biblical authors employed human characteristics such as physical attributes,
emotions, gestures, and cognitive awareness, not to confine God’s nature to human
limitations, but to bridge the gap between divine mystery and human understanding. The
main conclusion is that anthropomorphism in biblical texts serves as a theological tool
to articulate God’s involvement in human affairs, underscoring divine immanence
without negating transcendence. The study contributes to biblical scholarship by
deducing implications from biblical anthropomorphism for contemporary theological
reflection, biblical interpretation, and Bible translation practices.
