COUNTENANCE (noun: פָּנִ֑ים, πρόσωπον, G4725, meaning “face,” are the most frequent. Verb: הָדַר, H2075, “to countenance”).

There are other and similar Heb. nouns which are often tr. “countenance,” and which literally denote such meanings as “shape,” “comeliness,” “visage,” “appearance.” The countenance, or face, mirrored the character of a person—and the thoughts of his heart. The countenance is “cheerful” (Prov 15:13), “angry” (25:23), “fierce” (Dan 8:23 KJV), “troubled” (Ezek 27:35 KJV).

The RSV does not have the verbal “to countenance” in Exodus 23:3 as the KJV does, but instead has “be partial”: “nor shall you be partial to a poor man....” (Justice is to be unbiased to such an extent that not even the poor man is to be favored.) See Face.