A theophany is a visible manifestation of God to humans. In the Bible these appearances by God occurred in a number of different forms. Below we list some of the ways God has appeared to humans.
Theophanies In The Bible
A Burning Bush – The theophany of God appearing to Moses as a flame in the burning bush is one of the better known theophanies in the Bible. It was certainly a memorable event for Moses to have God speak to him in the form of a burning bush. (Exodus 2:6)
A Pillar Of Cloud And Fire – God guided the Israelites in a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night, showing them the way they should go. (Exodus 13:21)
Fire On Mount Sinai – (Exodus 19:18) All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord had descended on it in the form of fire.
The Angel Of The Lord – The term “the angel of the Lord” appears numerous times in the Bible. In some instances it was referring to God manifesting himself (appearing) in the form of an angel. Other times the phrase simply meant an angel sent as a messenger.
The Three Visitors – Abraham was visited by three men in Genesis 18. Some make the argument that all three men were angels, but it seems most likely one of these three men was a theophany of God. During the men’s visit the Bible says it was the Lord who appeared to Abraham (Genesis 18:1). It also states it was the Lord who spoke to Abraham (Genesis 18:10,13,). Toward the end of their visit the Bible says two of the three men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord.
Temporary Manifestations
These manifestations of God in the Old Testament were temporary in nature. In the New Testament God’s permanent manifestation is not just a theophany. More than just appearing in human form temporarily, God permanently robed Himself in a real human body, the man Jesus Christ.
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