What does the term theophany mean?

appearance of God
theophany, (from Greek theophaneia, “appearance of God”), manifestation of deity in sensible form. The term has been applied generally to the appearance of the gods in the ancient Greek and Near Eastern religions but has in addition acquired a special technical usage in regard to biblical materials.

What is an example of theophany?

The New Catholic Encyclopedia cites examples of theophanies such as Genesis 3:8 and then quotes Genesis 16:7–14. In this case, initially it is an angel which appears to Hagar, however it then says that God spoke directly to her, and that she saw God and lived (Genesis 16:13).

What is the difference between an epiphany and a theophany?

As nouns the difference between epiphany and theophany is that epiphany is a manifestation or appearance of a divine or superhuman being while theophany is a manifestation of a deity to a man.

What is the etymology of theophany?

theophany (n.) “an appearance of God to man,” 1630s, from Late Latin theophania, from Greek theos “god” (from PIE root *dhes-, forming words for religious concepts) + phainein “bring to light, cause to appear, show” (from PIE root *bha- (1) “to shine”). In Middle English “Epiphany” (late 12c.).

What is Theophany in the Bible?

Dictionaries – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology – Theophany. Theophany. Manifestation of God that is tangible to the human senses. In its most restrictive sense, it is a visible appearance of God in the Old Testament period often, but not always, in human form.

When is the Theophany celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox Church?

Eastern Orthodox Christian Churches celebrate the theophany of Jesus Christ on the 6th of January according to a liturgical calendar as one of the “Great Feasts”. In Western Orthodox Christian Churches, the 6th of January is kept as the holy day Epiphany, while the feast of Theophany is celebrated separately,…

Was Yahweh a theophany?

For example, if we compare Genesis 18:16, 21, 33 with Genesis 19:1 we learn that Yahweh left (Genesis 18:33) and the other two men, who were angels, went to Sodom. We have discovered that one of the men was a theophany. Hebrews 13:2 tells us that we can entertain angels without knowing it.

What is spectacular Theophany?

Theophany of a spectacular sort is related to a broader presence of God. God uses spectacular theophanies to establish relations with his people that continue all the way through history. His presence later is to be seen as a continuation of his presence experienced most vividly in theophany.