Quando Dio si nasconde. Una metafora della rivelazione biblica

The focus of this inquiry is the use of the metaphor of the “hiddenness of God” in the Hebrew Bible. A review of the rich Hebrew vocabulary in the semantic field of “hide” leads to some very theological conclusions. The idiomatic expression, “to hide the face,” basically belongs to the wisdom literature (i.e. Psalms, Proverbs, and Job) and shows to have more a mysterious significance rather than a rebuke. In other words, the expression usually does not refer to a condemnation or abandonment. The main point lies with reading the often misunderstood text of Is 45:15, where the verb satar is used, not in the passive form, i.e. the hidden God, rather in the reflexive form, i.e. a God who hides Himself. Certainly, God is always free to hide Himself, in order eventually to reveal Himself again. If we know that He is actually hiding, it is because of His revelation.