Topical Bible: Ear: Anthropomorphic Uses of

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In the Bible, the term "ear" is often used anthropomorphically to describe God's attentiveness and responsiveness to human prayers and actions. This figurative language helps convey the relational nature of God, emphasizing His ability to hear and respond to His creation, despite His transcendent nature.

1. God's Attentiveness to Prayer: The Bible frequently uses the imagery of God's "ear" to illustrate His readiness to listen to the prayers of the faithful. In 2 Chronicles 7:15, God declares, "Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place." This passage underscores the belief that God is not distant or indifferent but is actively engaged with His people, listening to their supplications.

2. Divine Judgment and Justice: The concept of God's ear is also employed to express His awareness of injustice and wrongdoing. In Isaiah 59:1, it is written, "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear." Here, the prophet reassures the people that God is fully aware of their plight and is capable of delivering justice, countering any notion that He is oblivious or powerless.

3. Covenantal Relationship: The anthropomorphic use of "ear" also highlights the covenantal relationship between God and His people. In Psalm 34:15, it is stated, "The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry." This verse reflects the intimate bond between God and those who follow His ways, suggesting that He is particularly attentive to the cries of the righteous, reinforcing the idea of a reciprocal relationship based on faithfulness and obedience.

4. Warnings Against Disobedience: Conversely, the Bible warns that persistent disobedience can lead to God turning His ear away. In Zechariah 7:11-13, the people are admonished for their stubbornness: "But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts." This passage serves as a caution that ignoring God's commands can result in a breakdown of communication, where God may choose not to listen to the pleas of the unrepentant.

5. Symbol of Divine Favor: The ear is also a symbol of divine favor and blessing. In Psalm 116:1-2, the psalmist expresses gratitude, saying, "I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice; He has heard my cry for mercy. Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live." This imagery of God inclining His ear suggests a deliberate act of grace, where God chooses to listen and respond favorably to the cries of His people.

In summary, the anthropomorphic use of "ear" in the Bible serves to illustrate God's personal and relational nature, His justice, and His covenantal faithfulness. It emphasizes that God is not a distant deity but one who is intimately involved in the lives of His people, attentive to their prayers, and responsive to their needs.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 17:6
I have called on you, for you will hear me, O God: incline your ear to me, and hear my speech.
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Psalm 39:12
Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with you, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
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Psalm 77:1
I cried to God with my voice, even to God with my voice; and he gave ear to me.
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Psalm 80:1
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you that lead Joseph like a flock; you that dwell between the cherubim, shine forth.
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Psalm 84:8
O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
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Library

Chapter i
... In (De 32:10) the parallel thought is "wilderness." Isaiah uses it to describe ... God,
and the author of chapter two as presenting a more anthropomorphic and less ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter i.htm

The Doctrine of God
... (2) What is meant by the anthropomorphic expressions used ... God often uses plural pronouns
in speaking of Himself ... that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry ... It is the old anthropomorphic idea
of God"the idea of the Prophet and Psalmist, wholly untouched by the ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm