Meaning:

• Face
• Presence
• Front or surface

Noun. Masculine. Although it looks plural in form (ending in -ים), it is almost always used as a singular in meaning - a type of plural of intensity or plural of form common in Hebrew for body parts that come in pairs or have multiple aspects.

The physical face of a person or creature.

Genesis 32:20 (21) – “I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face (פָּנָיו); perhaps he will accept me.” → “Face” here is literal but also relational — it represents encounter and favour.

Reflecting mood, emotion, or attitude.

Genesis 4:5 – “But for Cain and his offering He had no regard. So Cain's face (פָּנָיו) fell.” → The face mirrors the inner state.

The word פָּנִים is sometimes used to indicate the presence of God, showing His nearness or relational favour.

Exodus 33:14–15 – “My presence (פָּנַי) will go with you, and I will give you rest.” → Literally, “My face will go with you.” → The idiom “before the face of Yahweh” (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה) means “in the presence of the LORD.”

This is one of the most sacred uses: to be before God's face is to stand in His presence and favour; to have His face hidden is to experience His withdrawal or displeasure (consider Psalm 13:1).

Used spatially for the “front of” or “surface of” something.

Genesis 1:2 – “Darkness was upon the face (פְּנֵי) of the deep.” → Here it means “surface.”

Genesis 23:3 – “Abraham rose up from before (מֵעַל פְּנֵי) his dead.” → Spatial sense: “in front of” or “from before.”