Lexical Summary liphnay: Before, in the presence of, in front of Original Word: לִפְּנַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance before From the prepositional prefix (to or for) and paniym; anterior -- before. see HEBREW paniym NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a preposition prefix and panim, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs לִפְנָָֽי 1 Kings 6:17 see below [ מָּנֶה], מָּנִים. לִפְנָ֑י 1 Kings 6:17, Ew§ 164 a Ke as adjective, anterior, but read, with ᵐ5, לִפְנֵי הַדְּבִיד Th Sta Kit and others Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 3942 לִפְּנַי (lippənay) represents the idea of being “before me” or “in my presence.” Although this exact orthographic form is not recorded in any preserved Old-Testament verse, it is a natural grammatical development of the root פָּנִים (pānîm, “face, presence”). The phrase encapsulates a covenantal posture in which a person or object stands directly before the face of another—most significantly, before the face of the LORD. Theological Theme: Living Before God’s Face 1. Covenant loyalty. The first commandment captures the essence: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). Life “before” the LORD demands exclusive allegiance. Canonical Context and Key Passages • Genesis 6:11 – The earth is corrupt “before God,” underscoring universal accountability. Historical and Cultural Considerations Ancient Near-Eastern vassal treaties stressed duty to appear “before” the suzerain. Israel’s covenant adopts the imagery but transforms it: the Suzerain is holy, merciful, and personally present. Regular pilgrim festivals required Israelites to “appear before the LORD” (Exodus 34:23), reinforcing national unity around divine presence rather than a human throne. Practical Ministry Applications • Personal discipleship. Believers cultivate coram Deo living—conscious awareness that every thought and deed unfolds before the Father’s face (Hebrews 4:13). Christological and Eschatological Reflections Jesus embodies perfect obedience “before” the Father: “I always do what is pleasing to Him” (John 8:29). Through His atoning death and resurrection He grants believers bold access “before the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16). Eschatologically, redeemed humanity will “see His face” (Revelation 22:4), fulfilling the longing of every covenant generation to dwell eternally before God. Summary Though Strong’s 3942 does not surface in a specific verse, the concept saturates Scripture. To be לִפְּנַי is to live, worship, serve, and hope in the immediate presence of the covenant-keeping LORD—a reality fulfilled in Christ and destined to culminate in the unveiled glory of the new creation. Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance bal·lap·pi·ḏîm — 2 Occ.hal·lap·pî·ḏim — 2 Occ. kal·lap·pî·ḏim — 1 Occ. kə·lap·pîḏ — 1 Occ. kə·lap·pî·ḏê — 1 Occ. lap·pîḏ — 2 Occ. lap·pi·ḏîm — 2 Occ. ū·ḵə·lap·pîḏ — 1 Occ. wə·lap·pîḏ — 1 Occ. wə·lap·pi·ḏîm — 1 Occ. way·yil·lā·p̄êṯ — 1 Occ. way·yil·pōṯ — 1 Occ. yil·lā·p̄ə·ṯū — 1 Occ. lā·ṣō·wn — 3 Occ. lō·ṣə·ṣîm — 1 Occ. laq·qūm — 1 Occ. bə·qaḥ·têḵ — 1 Occ. bə·qaḥ·tōw — 2 Occ. ’eq·ḥāh- — 1 Occ. ’eq·qaḥ — 8 Occ. |