Anthropomorphism

Coined from the Greek words for 'man,' anthropos, and 'form,' morphe, anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics to what is not human. That God is Spirit and has no form is a fundament tenet of the Bible's teaching. In order to clarify or to emphasize God's character and power, however, the Bible often resorts to anthropomorphic language. So, e.g., Yahweh redeemed Israel out of Egpyt "with an outstretched arm" (Exo 6:6; Deut 4:34; 5:15). The anthropomorphic language concretizes the experiece and stamps it vividly in the memory.