UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: face

Semantic entry: 8.18

Semantic domains: Body, Body Parts, and Body Products

Subdomains: Parts of the Body

Definition: the front part of the human head

Sense 2: person, individual

Semantic entry: 9.9

Semantic domains: People

Subdomains: Human Beings

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of πρόσωπον[a] face, 8.18: ὄψις / 8.18: πρόσωπον)

Sense 3: surface, face

Semantic entry: 79.93

Semantic domains: Features of Objects

Subdomains: Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Shapes

Definition: the two-dimensional surface of an object

Notes: In a number of cases one does not translate πρόσωπον in the sense of ‘surface’ since it is an implied component of other terms. For example, the phrase ‘on the earth’ implies the surface of the earth.

Sense 4: appearance

Semantic entry: 24.24

Semantic domains: Sensory Events and States

Subdomains: See

Definition: the form or characteristics of something as seen

Sense 5: presence, being at a place

Semantic entry: 85.26

Semantic domains: Existence in Space

Subdomains: Be in a Place

Definition: (a figurative extension of meaning of πρόσωπον[a] ‘face,’ 8.18: ὄψις / 8.18: πρόσωπον) the personal presence of an individual at a particular place

Sense 6: in front of, before

Semantic entry: 83.33

Semantic domains: Spacial Positions

Subdomains: In Front Of, Face To Face, In Back Of, Behind

Definition: a position in front of an object, whether animate or inanimate, which is regarded as having a spacial orientation of front and back{N:001}

Sense 7: face to face

Semantic entry: 83.37

Semantic domains: Spacial Positions

Subdomains: In Front Of, Face To Face, In Back Of, Behind

Definition: (an idiom, literally: face to face) the position of one person facing another, with the implication of direct, personal interaction

Notes: The implication of this idiom in OET CO1 13:12 is that there will be clear understanding, and in some languages it is necessary to shift somewhat the figurative expression. For example, it may be necessary to render this passage as ‘how we now understand is like seeing a dim image in a mirror, but then we shall understand as clearly as though we were seeing face to face’ or ‘… as though we were seeing something directly.’

Collocations: πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον

Sense 8: to judge on the basis of appearance, to render a superficial judgment, to pay no attention to a person’s status, to judge on the basis of reputation

Semantic entry: 30.120

Semantic domains: Think

Subdomains: To Distinguish, To Evaluate, To Judge

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to see into the face) to judge on the basis of external appearances

Notes: In some languages an equivalent of this expression in OET MAT 22:16 may be ‘when you judge, you look into a man’s heart’ or ‘when you judge you see more than a person’s face’ or ‘when you judge a person, who he appears to be doesn’t count.’

Collocations: βλέπω εἰς πρόσωπον

Sense 9: before, previous

Semantic entry: 67.19

Semantic domains: Time

Subdomains: A Point of Time with Reference to Other Points of Time: Before, Long Ago, Now, At the Same Time, When, About, After

Definition: (an idiom, literally: before the face, equivalent in meaning to πρό [source selector 000001][b] ‘before,’ 67.17: ἄχρι(ς) / 67.17: πρίν / 67.17: πρό, but a somewhat more elaborate phrase rhetorically) a point of time, possibly only a short time before another point of time

Collocations: πρὸ προσώπου

Sense 10: to decide firmly, to resolve, to make up one’s mind definitely

Semantic entry: 30.80

Semantic domains: Think

Subdomains: To Decide, To Conclude

Definition: (a Semitic idiom, literally: to fix one’s face) to make a decision, with emphasis upon finality

Notes: In order to express the meaning of ‘to decide firmly,’ it may be useful in some instances to translate ‘to decide and to refuse to change one’s mind’ or ‘to decide and not to change.’

Collocations: στηρίζω τὸ πρόσωπον

Sense 11: outward appearance, what things seem to be

Semantic entry: 31.31

Semantic domains: Hold a View, Believe, Trust

Subdomains: Suppose, Think Possible

Definition: (an idiom, literally: those things according to the face) that which seems to be so

Collocations: τὰ κατὰ πρόσωπον

Sense 12: to show favoritism, to be partial, partiality

Semantic entry: 88.238

Semantic domains: Moral and Ethical Qualities and Related Behavior

Subdomains: Show Favoritism, Prejudice

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to take face) to make unjust distinctions between people by treating one person better than another

Notes: ‘To show favoritism’ or ‘to be partial’ is expressed in an idiomatic manner in some languages, for example, ‘to look only upon a person’s face,’ ‘to call a sparrow a chicken,’ or ‘to give one’s clansman the best piece of meat.’

Collocations: λαμβάνω πρόσωπον

Sense 13: to flatter

Semantic entry: 33.365

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Flatter

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to admire the face) to praise someone, normally in an exaggerated or false manner and with insincere purpose{N:002}

Collocations: θαυμάζω πρόσωπον