Dictionary of Bible Themes: 1454 theophany

1454 theophany

Dictionary of Bible Themes

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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

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

Theophanies authenticate God's servants

Numbers 12:5-8