1454 theophany
Dictionary of Bible Themes

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.

Psalms 18:7-15

God is manifested in nature

Exodus 19:16

God's presence in storms, thunder and lightning

See also

Exodus 20:18
Job 37:5
Psalms 29:3-9; 77:18; 97:4
Isaiah 30:27-33
Amos 1:2
Habakkuk 3:11
Zechariah 9:14
Revelation 11:19
Exodus 19:18

See also

God's presence in volcanic phenomena

Isaiah 30:33
Isaiah 29:5-6

See also

God's presence in earthquakes

Judges 5:4-5
Psalms 77:18
Habakkuk 3:6
Exodus 3:2

Specific phenomena associated with the presence of God

Fire signifies God's presence

See also

Exodus 13:21; 19:18; 24:17

Fire in particular represents the purity, holiness and unapproachability of God.

Leviticus 9:24
Numbers 14:14
Deuteronomy 4:11-12; 5:4,22-26
Judges 13:20-22
Psalms 97:3
Joel 2:30
Exodus 19:18

See also

Smoke signifies God's presence

Exodus 20:18
Psalms 144:5
Isaiah 6:4; 30:27
Joel 2:30
Revelation 15:8
Exodus 16:10

Cloud signifies God's presence

See also

Exodus 13:21

Cloud and smoke convey the mystery and transcendence of God.

Exodus 19:9; 24:15-16; 33:9; 34:5
Deuteronomy 31:15

God speaks to Moses from the cloud:

Leviticus 16:2
Numbers 9:15-22; 14:14
1 Kings 8:10-11
Ezekiel 1:4; 10:3-4
Matthew 17:5

The transfiguration of Jesus Christ:

Revelation 14:14-16

pp Mk 9:7

pp Lk 9:34-35

Genesis 16:7-13

God is manifested in human or angelic form

See also

Genesis 18:1-22; 32:24-30
Joshua 5:13-15
Isaiah 6:1

God appears in prophetic visions

God appears on a throne

See also

Ezekiel 1:26; 10:1

John interprets this verse to refer to Jesus Christ (Jn 12:41).

Daniel 7:9
Revelation 4:2; 20:11
Isaiah 6:2
Ezekiel 1:5-18; 10:9-13

God appears attended by angels and other heavenly beings

Revelation 4:6-11
Exodus 24:10
Ezekiel 1:26

God appears like, or with, precious stones

Revelation 4:3
Ezekiel 10:4

Functions and effects of theophanies

See also

Theophanies reveal God's glory

Exodus 16:10; 24:16; 40:34-35
Leviticus 9:23-24
Numbers 14:10
1 Kings 8:11
2 Chronicles 7:1-3
Psalms 29:3,9; 97:2-6
Ezekiel 11:22-23
Isaiah 30:27

See also

Theophanies bring judgment

Numbers 12:9-10
Psalms 18:13-15
Exodus 19:16; 20:18-20
Isaiah 6:5

Theophanies arouse the fear of God

Isaiah 6:8
Ezekiel 1:28-2:1

Theophanies commission God's servants

Numbers 12:5-8

See also

Theophanies authenticate God's servants

1045 God, glory of
1065 God, holiness of
1310 God as judge
1403 God, revelation
1469 visions
2595 incarnation
4065 orderliness
4140 angel of the Lord
4180 seraphim
4805 clouds
4826 fire
4851 storm
Dictionary of Bible Themes
© Martin H. Manser, 2009.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       


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