International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Respect of Persons
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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Respect of Persons
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reÌ„Ì-spekt´: The phrase ×¤× ×™× × ×©×‚×, naÌ„saÌ„' phaÌ„nı̄m, means literally, “lift up the face,†and, among other translations, is rendered indifferently “accept†or “respect the person†in the King James Version (contrast and ). As applied to a (prostrate) suppliant, the phrase means “receive him with favor,†and is so used in ; , (compare , etc.). By a shift in force the phrase came to mean “accept the person instead of the cause†or “show partiality†(, the American Standard Revised Version), and is so used commonly. A literal translation into Greek gave λαμβαÌνω Ï€ÏοÌσωπον, lambaÌnoÌ„ proÌsoÌ„pon (Sirach 35:13 (32:16); ; ), with the noun Ï€ÏοσωπολημψιÌα, prosoÌ„poleÌ„mpsıÌa, “face-taking†(; ; ; ), rendered uniformly “respect of persons†in English Versions of the Bible. A noun Ï€ÏοσωποληÌμπτης, prosoÌ„poleÌ„ÌmpteÌ„s, “respecter of persons,†and a verb Ï€ÏοσωπολημπτεÌω, prosoÌ„poleÌ„mpteÌoÌ„, are found ; . God's judgment rests solely on the character of the man and will be influenced by no worldly () or national () considerations. See also ACCEPT.