In biblical literature, the forehead holds significant symbolic and spiritual meaning, often representing identity, allegiance, and divine ownership. The concept of the forehead appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, serving as a marker of both blessing and judgment.

Old Testament References

1. Priestly Garments: In the Old Testament, the forehead is notably mentioned in the context of the high priest's garments. Exodus 28:36-38 describes the golden plate inscribed with "HOLY TO THE LORD" that Aaron, the high priest, was to wear on his forehead. This inscription symbolized the consecration and holiness required of those who served in the presence of God.

2. Mark of Protection: In Ezekiel 9:4, the Lord instructs a man clothed in linen to go through Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over the detestable things done in the city. This mark served as a sign of divine protection against the coming judgment.

3. Stubbornness and Rebellion: The forehead is also used metaphorically to describe stubbornness and rebellion. In Isaiah 48:4, God says, "Because I knew that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew and your forehead bronze." Here, the forehead symbolizes the unyielding and rebellious nature of the people.

New Testament References

1. Seal of God: In the Book of Revelation, the forehead is a prominent symbol of divine sealing and protection. Revelation 7:3 states, "Do not harm the land or sea or trees until we have sealed the foreheads of the servants of our God." This seal signifies God's ownership and protection of His faithful servants during times of tribulation.

2. Mark of the Beast: Conversely, the forehead is also associated with allegiance to evil in Revelation 13:16-17, where the beast forces all people to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead. This mark represents loyalty to the beast and is a counterfeit to the divine seal.

3. Name of God: Revelation 22:4 speaks of the redeemed in the New Jerusalem, stating, "They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads." This imagery conveys the intimate relationship and eternal belonging of the redeemed to God.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The forehead, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a visible and symbolic representation of one's spiritual state and allegiance. It is a place of marking, whether for holiness and protection or for rebellion and judgment. The use of the forehead as a site for divine or demonic marks underscores the importance of identity and loyalty in the spiritual realm.

Throughout Scripture, the forehead is a canvas upon which the spiritual realities of consecration, protection, rebellion, and allegiance are vividly portrayed. Whether through the priestly inscription of holiness, the protective mark in Ezekiel, or the seals and marks in Revelation, the forehead remains a powerful symbol of one's relationship with the divine.3359. metopon -- the forehead
... the . Word Origin from meta and ops (an eye, face) Definition the forehead
NASB Word Usage forehead (4), foreheads (4). forehead. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3359.htm - 6k6596. poth -- perhaps a hinge
... 6595, 6596. poth. 6597 . perhaps a hinge. Transliteration: poth Phonetic
Spelling: (pohth) Short Definition: foreheads. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6596.htm - 6k

4696. metsach -- brow, forehead
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition brow, forehead NASB Word Usage forehead
(10), foreheads (2), stubborn* (1). brow, forehead, impudent. ...
/hebrew/4696.htm - 6k

That in this Sign of the Cross is Salvation for all People who are ...
... Second Book. 22. That in this sign of the Cross is salvation for all people
who are marked on their foreheads. In Ezekiel the Lord ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/22 that in this sign.htm

The Sealing of the Servants of God.
... given to injure the earth and the sea, saying, Injure not the earth, nor the sea,
nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the sealing of the servants.htm

The 144,000 Sealed in the Apocalypse are Converts to Christ from ...
... These, then, who are sealed on their foreheads [4458] from every tribe of the children
of Israel, are a hundred and forty-four thousand in number; and these ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/2 the 144000 sealed in.htm

Three Inscriptions with one Meaning
... 'His name shall be in their foreheads.'"Revelation 22:4. You will have perceived
my purpose in putting these three widely separated texts together. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture k/three inscriptions with one meaning.htm

How Christians are the Spiritual Israel.
... given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not either the earth, or the sea,
or the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/1 how christians are the.htm

The Antichrist Will be the Son of Satan
... Are we told that God, by His angel, will "seal" His servants in their foreheads
(Rev.7:3), so also we read that Satan, by his angels, will set a mark in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/ii the antichrist will be.htm

The Fifth vision "In Heaven"
... The worshippers of the Beast received his mark; and these received the mark
of the Lamb (Christ) and of His Father in their foreheads. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the fifth vision in heaven.htm

The Success of the Apostles, and their Sufferings in the Cause of ...
... very seal of which Ezekiel spake: "The Lord said unto me, Go through the gate, through
the midst of Jerusalem, and set the mark Tau upon the foreheads of the ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxii the success of the.htm

March 18 Evening
... MARCH 18 EVENING. His name shall be in their foreheads."REV.22:4. I am
the good shepherd, and know my sheep."The foundation of ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/march 18 evening.htm

Whether the Sacramental Character is the Character of Christ?
... And for this purpose they are marked with the seal of grace according to
Ezech.9:4: "Mark Thou upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and mourn"; and Apoc. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sacramental character is.htm

Foreheads (14 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Foreheads (14 Occurrences). Revelation 7:3 saying,
"Don't harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees ...
/f/foreheads.htm - 10k

Forehead (23 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/f/forehead.htm - 19k

Injure (16 Occurrences)
... (WEY YLT). Revelation 7:3 "Injure neither land nor sea nor trees," he said, "until
we have sealed the bondservants of our God upon their foreheads." (WEY YLT). ...
/i/injure.htm - 11k

Seal (47 Occurrences)
... The seal of God on the foreheads of His servants (Revelation 7:2-4) marks them off
as His own, and guarantees their eternal security, whereas those that "have ...
/s/seal.htm - 38k

Yoke (79 Occurrences)
... Egyptian monuments show a yoke that consisted of a straight bar fastened to the
foreheads of the cattle at the root of the horns, and such yokes were no doubt ...
/y/yoke.htm - 40k

144000 (3 Occurrences)
... 14:1 Then I looked, and I saw the Lamb standing upon Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000
people, having His name and His Father's name written on their foreheads. ...
/num/144000.htm - 7k

Green (72 Occurrences)
... that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither
any tree, but only those people who don't have God's seal on their foreheads...
/g/green.htm - 31k

Inkhorn (4 Occurrences)
... at his loins, and Jehovah saith unto him, 'Pass on into the midst of the city, into
the midst of Jerusalem, and thou hast made a mark on the foreheads of the ...
/i/inkhorn.htm - 10k

Forty-four (5 Occurrences)
... the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand,
having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads...
/f/forty-four.htm - 8k

Forehead-bald (1 Occurrence)
Forehead-bald. Forehead, Forehead-bald. Foreheads . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY JPS WBS). Forehead, Forehead-bald. Foreheads . Reference Bible.
/f/forehead-bald.htm - 6k

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