What Does God Look Like?

The Bible says God is a Spirit (John 4:24John 4:24 · King James VersionGod is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.John 4:24 · King James VersionOpen source) whom “no man hath seen, nor can see” (1 Timothy 6:161 Timothy 6:16 · King James VersionWho only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.1 Timothy 6:16 · King James VersionOpen source), yet it records men who saw the LORD on a throne, the God of Israel standing on a pavement of sapphire, and the Angel of the LORD who spoke as God. It describes God in light, fire, precious stones, and a rainbow, and calls Jesus “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15Colossians 1:15 · King James VersionWho is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:Colossians 1:15 · King James VersionOpen source). This page prints those passages from the King James Version, 48 verses in all.

Key Points

• Isaiah saw “the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up” (Isaiah 6:1Isaiah 6:1 · King James VersionIn the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.Isaiah 6:1 · King James VersionOpen source). Ezekiel saw “the likeness as the appearance of a man” above the throne, with fire and a rainbow (Ezekiel 1:26–28Ezekiel 1:26 · King James VersionAnd above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.Ezekiel 1:26 · King James VersionOpen source).
• Daniel saw the Ancient of days, whose garment was white as snow and “the hair of his head like the pure wool” (Daniel 7:9Daniel 7:9 · King James VersionI beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.Daniel 7:9 · King James VersionOpen source).
• John saw one like the Son of man whose “head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow” (Revelation 1:14Revelation 1:14 · King James VersionHis head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;Revelation 1:14 · King James VersionOpen source). Revelation gives Jesus the white hair Daniel gives the Ancient of days.
• In Revelation 4:3Revelation 4:3 · King James VersionAnd he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.Revelation 4:3 · King James VersionOpen source the one on the throne “was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone,” with a rainbow “like unto an emerald.”
• Moses was told, “Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live” (Exodus 33:20Exodus 33:20 · King James VersionAnd he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.Exodus 33:20 · King James VersionOpen source). John 1:18John 1:18 · King James VersionNo man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.John 1:18 · King James VersionOpen source says, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son… hath declared him.”
• Hagar, Jacob, and Manoah say they have seen God after the Angel of the LORD or a man appears to them (Genesis 16:13Genesis 16:13 · King James VersionAnd she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?Genesis 16:13 · King James VersionOpen source; Genesis 32:30Genesis 32:30 · King James VersionAnd Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.Genesis 32:30 · King James VersionOpen source; Judges 13:22Judges 13:22 · King James VersionAnd Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.Judges 13:22 · King James VersionOpen source). Gideon says, “I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face” (Judges 6:22Judges 6:22 · King James VersionAnd when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O LORD God! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.Judges 6:22 · King James VersionOpen source).

The Passages by Theme

God on the Throne

God on the Throne (11 verses)

Reference	King James Version
Isaiah 6:1	In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Isaiah 6:2	Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
Isaiah 6:3	And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Isaiah 6:4	And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
Ezekiel 1:26	And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
Ezekiel 1:27	And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.
Ezekiel 1:28	As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
Daniel 7:9	I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
Daniel 7:10	A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
Revelation 4:2	And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
Revelation 4:3	And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.

The beings around the throne in these visions are on Cherubim and Seraphim.

The Glorified Christ

The Glorified Christ (9 verses)

Reference	King James Version
Daniel 7:13	I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Daniel 7:14	And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Matthew 17:2	And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Revelation 1:13	And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Revelation 1:14	His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
Revelation 1:15	And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
Revelation 1:16	And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Colossians 1:15	Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Hebrews 1:3	Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

White Hair Like Wool

Daniel and Revelation use the same picture. Of the Ancient of days, Daniel 7:9Daniel 7:9 · King James VersionI beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.Daniel 7:9 · King James VersionOpen source says “his garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame.” Of one like the Son of man, Revelation 1:14Revelation 1:14 · King James VersionHis head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;Revelation 1:14 · King James VersionOpen source says “his head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire.” In Daniel 7 the Son of man comes to the Ancient of days (Daniel 7:13Daniel 7:13 · King James VersionI saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.Daniel 7:13 · King James VersionOpen source); in Revelation 1 the description of the Ancient of days is given to the Son of man, who then says, “I am the first and the last” (Revelation 1:17Revelation 1:17 · King James VersionAnd when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:Revelation 1:17 · King James VersionOpen source).

Theophanies and the Angel of the LORD

A theophany is an appearance of God. In several of these passages the Angel of the LORD speaks as God.

Theophanies and the Angel of the LORD (23 verses)

Reference	King James Version
Genesis 16:7	And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
Genesis 16:13	And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
Genesis 18:1	And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
Genesis 18:2	And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
Genesis 32:24	And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
Genesis 32:30	And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
Exodus 3:2	And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
Exodus 3:6	Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
Exodus 24:9	Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:
Exodus 24:10	And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.
Exodus 24:11	And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.
Exodus 33:18	And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
Exodus 33:19	And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
Exodus 33:20	And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
Exodus 33:21	And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
Exodus 33:22	And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
Exodus 33:23	And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.
Judges 6:12	And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
Judges 6:22	And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O LORD God! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.
Judges 13:20	For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground.
Judges 13:21	But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD.
Judges 13:22	And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.
Psalm 104:2	Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

No Man Has Seen God

No Man Has Seen God (6 verses)

Reference	King James Version
Exodus 33:20	And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
John 1:18	No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
John 4:24	God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
1 Timothy 1:17	Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 6:16	Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
1 John 4:12	No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does God Have a Body?

John 4:24John 4:24 · King James VersionGod is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.John 4:24 · King James VersionOpen source says “God is a Spirit.” The visions describe “the likeness” and “the appearance” of what was seen (Ezekiel 1:28Ezekiel 1:28 · King James VersionAs the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.Ezekiel 1:28 · King James VersionOpen source). Colossians 1:15Colossians 1:15 · King James VersionWho is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:Colossians 1:15 · King James VersionOpen source calls the Son “the image of the invisible God.”

How Did Moses See God If No Man Can?

Exodus 33:11Exodus 33:11 · King James VersionAnd the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.Exodus 33:11 · King James VersionOpen source says the LORD spoke to Moses “face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend,” and Exodus 33:20–23Exodus 33:20 · King James VersionAnd he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.Exodus 33:20 · King James VersionOpen source says Moses could not see his face and saw his back parts. John 1:18John 1:18 · King James VersionNo man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.John 1:18 · King James VersionOpen source says the Son has declared him.

What Does Islam Say About How God Looks?

See What Does Allah Look Like?

Keep Reading

• Cherubim and Seraphim
• What Are the Attributes of God?
• The Names and Titles of Jesus