Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 1000 God » 1400 God, knowledge of » 1454 theophany 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. God is manifested in nature God's presence in storms, thunder and lightning Psalm 18:7-15; Exodus 19:16 See also Exodus 20:18; Job 37:5; Psalm 29:3-9; Psalm 77:18; Psalm 97:4; Isaiah 30:27-33; Amos 1:2; Habakkuk 3:11; Zechariah 9:14; Revelation 11:19 God's presence in volcanic phenomena Exodus 19:18 See also Isaiah 30:33 God's presence in earthquakes Isaiah 29:5-6 See also Judges 5:4-5; Psalm 77:18; Habakkuk 3:6 Specific phenomena associated with the presence of God Fire signifies God's presence Exodus 3:2 Fire in particular represents the purity, holiness and unapproachability of God. See also Exodus 13:21; Exodus 19:18; Exodus 24:17; Leviticus 9:24; Numbers 14:14; Deuteronomy 4:11-12; Deuteronomy 5:4,22-26; Judges 13:20-22; Psalm 97:3; Joel 2:30 Smoke signifies God's presence Exodus 19:18 See also Exodus 20:18; Psalm 144:5; Isaiah 6:4; Isaiah 30:27; Joel 2:30; Revelation 15:8 Cloud signifies God's presence Exodus 16:10 Cloud and smoke convey the mystery and transcendence of God. See also Exodus 13:21 God speaks to Moses from the cloud: Exodus 19:9; Exodus 24:15-16; Exodus 33:9; Exodus 34:5; Deuteronomy 31:15 Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 9:15-22; Numbers 14:14; 1 Kings 8:10-11; Ezekiel 1:4; Ezekiel 10:3-4 The transfiguration of Jesus Christ: Matthew 17:5 pp Mark 9:7 pp Luke 9:34-35 Revelation 14:14-16 God is manifested in human or angelic form Genesis 16:7-13 See also Genesis 18:1-22; Genesis 32:24-30; Joshua 5:13-15 God appears in prophetic visions God appears on a throne Isaiah 6:1 John interprets this verse to refer to Jesus Christ (Jn 12:41). See also Ezekiel 1:26; Ezekiel 10:1; Daniel 7:9; Revelation 4:2; Revelation 20:11 God appears attended by angels and other heavenly beings Isaiah 6:2; Ezekiel 1:5-18; Ezekiel 10:9-13; Revelation 4:6-11 God appears like, or with, precious stones Exodus 24:10; Ezekiel 1:26; Revelation 4:3 Functions and effects of theophanies Theophanies reveal God's glory Ezekiel 10:4 See also Exodus 16:10; Exodus 24:16; Exodus 40:34-35; Leviticus 9:23-24; Numbers 14:10; 1 Kings 8:11; 2 Chronicles 7:1-3; Psalm 29:3,9; Psalm 97:2-6; Ezekiel 11:22-23 Theophanies bring judgment Isaiah 30:27 See also Numbers 12:9-10; Psalm 18:13-15 Theophanies arouse the fear of God Exodus 19:16; Exodus 20:18-20; Isaiah 6:5 Theophanies commission God's servants Theophanies authenticate God's servants See also
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