Theophany

4 sources

Jewish Encyclopedia by Isidore Singer (ed.) (1906)

By: Kaufmann Kohler, M. Richtmann

Manifestation of a god to man; the sensible sign by which the presence of a divinity is revealed. If the word is taken in this sense, and the passages which merely mention the fact of a revelation without describing it are separated from those which speak of the "angel of God," only four theophanies will be found in the Bible. Kautzsch (in Herzog-Plitt, "Real-Encyc." xv. 538) interprets the term in a broader sense, and divides theophanies into three classes, as follows: (1) those related as historical facts; (2) those which are the subjects of prophetic vision or annunciation; and (3) those which consist in purely poetic fancy. This classification may be applied to the four theophanies. The Sinaitic revelation is historical; the passages relating the divine inspiration of Isaiah (Isa. vi.) and of Ezekiel (Ezek. i.) represent subjects of prophetic vision; and Ps. xviii. 4-16 is poetic description.

The Sinaitic Theophany.

The Sinaitic revelation is related in calm, simple language in Ex. xix. 16-25. The manifestation is accompanied by thunder and lightning; there is a fiery flame, reaching to the sky; the loud notes of a trumpet are heard; and the whole mountain smokes and quakes. Out of the midst of the flame and the cloud a voice reveals the Ten Commandments. The account in Deut. iv. 11, 12, 33, 36 and v. 4, 19 is practically the same; and in its guarded language it strongly emphasizes the incorporeality of God. Moses in his blessing (Deut. xxxiii. 2) points to this revelation as to the source of the special election of Israel, but with this difference: with him the point of departure for the theophany is Mount Sinai and not heaven. God appears on Sinai like a shining sun and comes "accompanied by holy myriads" (comp. Sifre, Deut. 243). Likewise in the song of Deborah the manifestation is described as a storm: the earth quakes; Sinai trembles; and the clouds drop water. It is poetically elaborated in the prayer of Habakkuk (Hab. iii.); here past and future are confused. As in Deut. xxxiii. 2 and Judges v. 4, God appears from Teman and Paran. His majesty is described as a glory of light and brightness; pestilence precedes Him. The mountains tremble violently; the earth quakes; the people are sore afraid. God rides in a chariot of war, with horses—a conception found also in Isa. xix. 1, where God appears on a cloud, and in Ps. xviii. 11, where He appears on a cherub.

In Isaiah and Ezekiel.

Isaiah and Ezekiel receive their commissions as prophets amid glorious manifestations of God. Isaiah supposedly sees God on a high and lofty throne. In reality, however, he sees not Him but only His glorious robe, the hem and train of which fill the whole temple of heaven. Before the throne stand the seraphim, the six-winged angels. With two wings they cover their faces so as not to gaze on God; with two they cover their feet, through modesty; and with the remaining two they fly. Their occupation is the everlasting praise of God, which at the time of the revelation took the form of the thrice-repeated cry "Holy!" (Isa. vi.).

Ezekiel in his description is not so reserved as Isaiah. The divine throne appears to him as a wonderful chariot. Storm, a great cloud, ceaseless fire, and on all sides a wonderful brightness accompany the manifestation. Out of the fire four creatures become visible. They have the faces of men; eachone has four wings; and the shape of their feet enables them to go to all four quarters of the earth with equal rapidity and without having to turn. These living creatures are recognized by the prophet as cherubim (Ezek. x. 20). The heavenly fire, the coals of which burn like torches, moves between them. The movement of the creatures is harmonious: wherever the spirit of God leads them they go. Beneath the living creatures are wheels("ofannim") full of eyes. On their heads rests a firmament upon which is the throne of God. When the divine chariot moves, their wings rustle with a noise like thunder. On the throne the prophet sees the Divine Being, having the likeness of a man. His body from the loins upward is shining ("ḥashmal"); downward it is fire (in Ezek. viii. 2 the reverse is stated). In the Sinaitic revelation God descends and appears upon earth; in the prophetic vision, on the other hand, He appears in heaven, which is in keeping with the nature of the case, because the Sinaitic revelation was meant for a whole people, on the part of which an ecstatic condition can not be thought of.

In the Psalms.

Very different is the theophany of the Psalmist (Ps. xviii. 8-16). He is in great need; and at his earnest solicitation God appears to save him. Before Him the earth trembles and fire glows. He rides on a cherub on the wings of the wind. He is surrounded with clouds which are outshone by His brightness. With thunder and lightning He destroys the enemies of the singer and rescues him.

As may be seen from the descriptions of the various theophanies, the deep monotheistic spirit of the Israelites hesitates to describe the Divine Being, and confines itself generally to describing the influence of the revelation upon the minds and characters of those beholding it. See Revelation.

Bibliography:

Kautzsch, in Herzog-Plitt, Real-Encyc. xv., s.v.;

Hamburger, R. B. T. i., s.v. Herrlichkeit Gottes.

CARM Theological Dictionary by Matt Slick (2000) ↑

A theophany is a visible manifestation of God usually restricted to the Old Testament. God has appeared in dreams (Gen 20:3-7; Gen 28:12-17), visions (Gen 15:1-21; Isa 6:1-13), as an angel (Gen 16:7-13; Gen 18:1-33), etc.

There is a manifestation known as the Angel of the Lord (Jdg 6:20f.) and seems to have characteristics of God Himself (Gen 16:7-9; Gen 18:1-2; Exo 3:2-6; Jos 5:14; Jdg 2:1-5; Jdg 6:11). Such characteristics as having the name of God, being worshiped, and recognized as God has led many scholars to conclude that the angel of the Lord is really Jesus manifested in the Old Testament. This does not mean that Jesus is an angel. The word "angel" means messenger.

Other scriptures that describe more vivid manifestations of God are Gen 17:1; Gen 18:1; Exo 6:2-3; Exo 24:9-11; Exo 33:20; Num 12:6-8; Act 7:2. For further information on theophanies see the Plurality Study.

Aquifer Open Bible Dictionary by Mission Mutual, adapted from the Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary (2023)

An appearance or manifestation of God. The word comes from the Greek noun for “God” (theos) and the Greek verb “to appear” (phano).

A theophany is a representation of God in temporary but identifiable forms. It is one way God’s special revelation is given to people. It is a divine revelation in which God is made visible and recognizable to people.

God made himself known to people through:

A special messenger called the angel of the Lord
Through the pillar and cloud that accompanied the Israelites in their wilderness wanderings
Through the shekinah, or his presence inside of the tabernacle.

See Angel (Angel of the Lord); Pillar of Fire and Cloud; Shekinah.

Dictionary of Bible Themes by Martin H. Manser (1999)

A temporary visible manifestation of the presence and glory of God. This may be in natural phenomena such as cloud or fire, in human form or in prophetic visionary experience.