Definition:
Christophany refers to the pre-incarnate appearances of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. These manifestations are considered to be temporary and visible appearances of the Son of God before His incarnation as Jesus of Nazareth. Christophanies are distinct from theophanies, which are appearances of God in a more general sense, as they specifically involve the second person of the Trinity.

Biblical Examples:

1. The Angel of the Lord:
One of the most significant Christophanies is the appearance of "the Angel of the Lord." This figure is often identified as a divine messenger who speaks with the authority of God Himself. In Genesis 16:7-13, the Angel of the Lord appears to Hagar, and she recognizes Him as God, saying, "You are the God who sees me" (Genesis 16:13). Similarly, in Exodus 3:2-6, the Angel of the Lord appears to Moses in the burning bush, and God speaks to Moses through this manifestation.

2. The Commander of the Lord's Army:
In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua encounters a man with a drawn sword who identifies Himself as the commander of the Lord's army. Joshua falls to the ground in worship, and the commander instructs him to remove his sandals, for the place is holy. This encounter is often interpreted as a Christophany, as the figure accepts worship, which is due only to God.

3. The Fourth Man in the Fiery Furnace:
In Daniel 3:24-25, King Nebuchadnezzar witnesses a miraculous event where Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are unharmed in the fiery furnace. He observes a fourth figure, described as "like a son of the gods" (Daniel 3:25). Many scholars and theologians consider this fourth figure to be a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ protecting His faithful servants.

4. The Appearance to Abraham:
In Genesis 18, the Lord appears to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre. Three men visit Abraham, and one of them is identified as the Lord. Abraham addresses Him as "My Lord" and engages in a conversation about the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. This encounter is often viewed as a Christophany, with the Lord taking a human form to communicate directly with Abraham.

Theological Significance:

Christophanies are significant in Christian theology as they demonstrate the active involvement of the pre-incarnate Christ in the history of God's people. These appearances underscore the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament. They also affirm the eternal nature of Christ, who existed before His incarnation and was actively engaged in the affairs of humanity.

Interpretation and Understanding:

From a conservative Christian perspective, Christophanies are seen as a testament to the unity and consistency of the Triune God throughout Scripture. They reveal the pre-existence of Christ and His divine nature, as well as His role as mediator and protector of God's people. These appearances foreshadow the incarnation, where the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), fulfilling God's promise of salvation through Jesus Christ.