The long nose of Hebrew God
Hebrew metaphors are amazing and this insightful article explores of them!
As the Jewish year drew to a close, our community gathered to observe Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement—a day heavy with meaning, solemnity, and hope. This wasn’t just any gathering. It was a sacred moment, a collective pause to seek forgiveness, reflect on our failings, and lean into God’s mercy. Our crowded local synagogue was unable to accommodate everyone, so we relocated to the village community center located just down the road. The room was small, but the mood was full of respect. Throughout the day, as prayers and readings filled the air, one refrain kept rising above the rest—a Hebrew song echoing the words God spoke to Moses in a moment of divine revelation (Exodus 34:6-7). Those words, chanted with fervor, carried a truth about God that’s both profound and, frankly, somewhat quirky.
The heart of this song comes from a passage where God describes himself, passing before Moses while shielding him from the full weight of divine glory. It’s one of the most stunning self-portraits in Scripture: “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7, NASB). But tucked inside this declaration is a Hebrew phrase that doesn’t quite survive the jump to English. God calls himself erech apaim (אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם), pronounced roughly as “eh-rekh ah-pie-yim.” This phrase is a gem. Literally, erech apaim means “long of nose.” Yes, you read that right. God’s got a long “nose.” Plural, actually. What in the world is that about?
Before you picture God with a comically oversized schnoz, let’s unpack this. In ancient Hebrew, language was vivid, physical, and full of imagery. Unlike our abstract English terms, Hebrew often tied emotions to the body. When someone got frustrated, their face would flush, their nostrils would flare, and their nose—well, it seemed to take up more space. The Hebrew word af (nose) is even tied to anger in phrases like “burning nose” to describe rage (think Exodus 15:8 or Psalm 18:8). So when God states that he is erech apaim—long of nose—it is a vivid expression indicating that he is slow to anger. His nostrils don’t flare quickly. He doesn’t get angry right away. Instead, God’s patience stretches long, like a nose that refuses to puff up in fury. It’s a beautiful, almost playful image of divine restraint, and it’s at the heart of Yom Kippur’s message.
Think about the context of this declaration. In Exodus 34, Israel has made a significant mistake. They’ve worshipped a golden calf, breaking the covenant fresh off Sinai’s thunder (Exodus 32). Moses pleads for mercy, and God responds by revealing his character: compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and overflowing with steadfast love. This assertion isn’t a cold theological statement; it’s a lifeline. God’s unwavering patience ensures that he never abandons his people, even when they deserve it. On Yom Kippur, as we confess our failures—personal and communal—this truth becomes our anchor. God’s mercy outlasts our mess-ups. His patience is longer than our rebellion.
This phrase, erech apaim, isn’t just a cute linguistic quirk. It’s a window into God’s heart. Throughout Scripture, we see this “long nose” in action. When Israel grumbles in the wilderness, God provides manna instead of fire (Numbers 11). When David sins with Bathsheba, God forgives, even as he disciplines (2 Samuel 12). When Nineveh repents in Jonah’s day, God relents from judgment (Jonah 3:10). Over and over, God’s slowness to anger creates space for redemption. And on Yom Kippur, as we chant these words, we’re not just reciting history—we’re claiming that same mercy for ourselves. It’s a reminder that God’s patience is still at work, inviting us to turn back, to be made new.
But let’s delve into reality for a moment. This idea of a “long nose” isn’t just about God—it’s a challenge to us. If God is slow to anger, what about us? How quickly do we react when someone cuts us off in traffic, betrays our trust, or simply irritates us? Yom Kippur isn’t only about receiving God’s mercy; it’s about becoming people who reflect it. The Hebrew sages often linked God’s attributes in Exodus 34 to human behavior, urging us to “imitate God” by being compassionate, gracious, and, yes, long of nose (see the Talmud, Shabbat 133b). Imagine if our noses got a little longer—if we learned to pause, breathe, and choose patience over rage. That’s the kind of transformation Yom Kippur calls us to.
Now, let’s talk about the worship itself. Picture the scene: a packed community center, voices rising in Hebrew, some stumbling over the words, others singing with fluency. The melody of erech apaim weaves through the service, tying us to centuries of Jewish prayer and to the moment God spoke these words to Moses. It’s not just a song; it’s a confession of who God is and who we’re called to be. Yom Kippur lays us bare—our sins, our weakness, and our need for grace—and this statement about God’s character becomes our lifeline. We sing it not because it’s catchy but because it’s true. God’s enduring presence provides hope, even in the face of our shortcomings.
For those of us who don’t know Hebrew, this moment can feel like a nudge. Learning even a little of the language opens up Scripture in ways English can’t. You don’t need to be a scholar—just curious. Start with a phrase like erech apaim. Allow it to effortlessly flow from your mouth. Feel its strangeness, its poetry. It’s a reminder that the Bible wasn’t written in our language or culture. It’s a foreign text, and diving into its original words is like stepping into a new country, full of surprises and depth. Resources like Hebrew dictionaries or online interlinears can help you explore, but the real key is a willingness to engage.
Carry this truth with you: God’s nose is long, and His mercy is even longer. Yom Kippur reminds you that His patience opens wide spaces for your forgiveness, your renewal, and your second chances. It also invites you to stretch your nose—to let patience grow in you, to reflect God’s grace in a world that flares up so quickly in anger.
Here is my prayer for you: May you feel the full weight of God’s immense mercy this year. May you encounter Him more intimately, letting His character shape yours. May your nose—your temper, your heart—grow longer as you walk with the God who is slow to anger and abounding in love.
As the gates of Yom Kippur close and you step into the new year, know that Jew and Christian alike stand together under the same astonishing truth: the God who revealed Himself as erech apaim on Sinai is the Father who, in the fullness of time, sent His Son to make that long-suffering love irreversible. On the cross, divine patience did not merely wait; it acted, exhausting every claim of justice so that mercy could triumph forever. The shofar has sounded, the veil is torn, and the atonement is complete for all.
So, whether you heard the promise in Exodus’ Hebrew or Calvary’s Greek, the song is the same: The Lord, the Lord—compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love—has drawn near in Messiah Jesus. Because His nose is long, your future is eternally secure.
Comments (36)
"the God who revealed Himself as erech apaim on Sinai is the Father who, in the fullness of time, sent His Son to make that long-suffering love irreversible" . . . John 13:34-35: A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Our highest calling: have love one for another! We know instinctively that this is not a specific command - As Jesus loved and so died to pay for all sin, we must love all that we meet. Jesus loves even the sinner and we must strive to do likewise. It can be a challenge, but I know that I have needed such patience often enough. - - - Excellent, Dr. Eli - and essential. 👌 Continued blessings!
Thank you.
Thank you for this information, I am not Jewish, but I just Love your Love for Jesus. If I could I would send a donation to you to help you. Your teaching really needs to get out there. I will pray that those who can donate will! I pray you have GREAT SUCCESS. May our God see you through and His Mercy ALWAYS BE WITH YOU. I pray that I see more of you. God will provide a way for me to donate. Many Blessings to you, my brother.
You don't have to be Jewish to love and belong to Jewish Messiah. He came for us all!
His teachings are very clear, precise, and direct. I truly share and enjoy the way he expresses and writes them with the purpose of giving meaning to our daily lives.
Sus enseñanzas son muy claras, precisas y directas. Realmente comparto y disfruto su forma de expresarlas y redactarlas con el fin de que nos hagan la vida diaria con sentido
Francisco, may the Lord continue to give me His light.
Hi Dr. Eli, many thanks for sharing these enlightening scriptural insights. God bless you.
Michael, thanks for writing!
This piece was welcomed and extremely invigorating. I have used a line for my what's app status. The line that says; "God's nose is long and his mercy is even longer." Thanks for sharing.
Good line :-)
Thank you so much for expounding on this scripture. Sometimes it's the little things that give us profound nuggets to chew on for a long time until it's a reality in our lives. I so appreciate your sharing.
Thank you, for writing Felecia! Indeed.
Dr. Eyzenberg I absolutely love the sound of your name. It is a song only the Wind knows. I have yet to read your teaching here but am on my way now. Just had to let you know I love your name. When I am married my name will be Anita Shoshana Abramovich which translates 'You Answered Shoshana Son of Abraham' which acronym is: YASSOA which as you know is the Arabic way to say Yeshua translated Salvation. Thank you in advance for your teachings which are highly regarded I learned while searching your name.
Thank you so much for this word from scripture, seeing these expressions that are so meaningful and which we all need to take in, His mercy and His grace, slow to anger, His compassion and long-suffering.
It speaks of this also in James.
How blessed we are to have God's Word speak to our hearts and souls.
Shalom
Indeed, David! Indeed!
Thank you, Anita.
are these amazing illustrations available in print somewhere? poster? thanks.
No Ray. But if you want a particular one I can it to you. I make them in AI program call MIDJOURNEY.
Because of the gracious gift our Lord has bestowed upon you, it is with great pleasure to reread HIS words with you and gain a clearer understanding of it. Dr. Eli, THANK YOU for accepting your gift and sharing it with others.
Candace, I only hope he continues to use me to His glory.
Very powerful and profound, we pray that our lives will depicted the same Christ like characters as we exercise patients over rage, love over hate and truth lies oh what a compassionate God and Father of our Lord Jesus operating in us through his life transforming Spirit ruah
Blessings and much peace!