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

On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled.

God's presence in volcanic phenomena

Exodus 19:18 See also Isaiah 30:33

Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

God's presence in earthquakes

Isaiah 29:5–6 See also Judges 5:4–5; Psalm 77:18; Habakkuk 3:6

But your many foes will be like fine dust, the multitude of the ruthless like blowing chaff. Then suddenly, in an instant, you will be visited by the LORD of Hosts with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, with windstorm and tempest and consuming flame of fire.

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, Deuteronomy 5:22–26; Judges 13:20–22; Psalm 97:3; Joel 2:30

There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed.

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

Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

Cloud signifies God's presence

Exodus 16:10 Cloud and smoke convey the mystery and transcendence of God. See also Exodus 13:21EXO 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 10:3–4MAT Ezekiel 17:5 parallels Mark 9:7, Luke 9:34–35 Revelation 14:14–16

And as Aaron was speaking to the whole congregation of Israel, they looked toward the desert, and there in a cloud the glory of the LORD appeared.

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

Now the angel of the LORD found Hagar by a spring of water in the desert — the spring along the road to Shur. “Hagar, servant of Sarai,” he said, “where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I am running away from my mistress Sarai,” she replied. So the angel of the LORD told her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.” Then the angel added, “I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.” The angel of the LORD proceeded: “Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction. He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” So Hagar gave this name to the LORD who had spoken to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “Here I have seen the One who sees me!”

God appears in prophetic visions

God appears on a throne

Isaiah 6:1 John interprets this verse to refer to Jesus Christ (John 12:41). See also Ezekiel 1:26, Ezekiel 10:1; Daniel 7:9; Revelation 4:2, Revelation 20:11

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple.

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, Psalm 29:9, Psalm 97:2–6; Ezekiel 11:22–23

Then the glory of the LORD rose from above the cherubim and stood over the threshold of the temple. The temple was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD.

Theophanies bring judgment

Isaiah 30:27 See also Numbers 12:9–10; Psalm 18:13–15

Behold, the Name of the LORD comes from afar, with burning anger and dense smoke. His lips are full of fury, and His tongue is like a consuming fire.

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