What is a Theophany/Christophany?

Throughout the Bible, there are times when God made Himself known in tangible, even visible, ways. These extraordinary appearances—known as theophanies and Christophanies—offer profound insight into God’s desire to reveal His character, guide His people, and advance His redemptive plan. Understanding what theophanies and Christophanies are, and how they differ, can deepen appreciation for the unity and purpose of Scripture.

What Is a Theophany?

A theophany is a manifestation of God that is perceptible to human senses, often described in the Old Testament as God appearing in forms such as fire, cloud, or even as a man. The term comes from the Greek words “Theo” meaning “God” and “phpaino” meaning to appear.  Theophanies are not limited to one particular form; God might reveal Himself through dramatic natural phenomena, angelic messengers, or direct encounters. These events usually mark pivotal moments in biblical history—such as the calling of a leader, the establishment of a covenant, or the demonstration of divine power and holiness.

Examples of theophanies include:

• God walked in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3)
• The burning bush that spoke to Moses (Exodus 3)
• The pillar of cloud and fire guiding Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 13)
• God’s appearance to Moses and the elders on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24)
• The Lord spoke to Job from the whirlwind (Job 38–42)

What Is a Christophany?

From the Greek words “Christos,” meaning “Christ,” and “phpaino,” meaning to appear, a Christophany is a specific type of theophany.  It refers to an appearance of Christ, often in human or angelic form, before His incarnation in the New Testament. Christophanies are significant because they point directly to Jesus and often foreshadow His redemptive work.

Some of the most notable Christophanies include:

• The “Angel of the Lord” spoke to Hagar (Genesis 16)
• The Lord appeared to Abraham with two angels (Genesis 18)
• Jacob wrestled with a man he later identifies as God (Genesis 32)
• The “fourth man” in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, described as “like a son of the gods” (Daniel 3)
• The commander of the Lord’s army appeared to Joshua (Joshua 5)

Key Differences

While both theophanies and Christophanies involve divine appearances, their focus and theological implications differ:

• Theophany is a broad term for any appearance of God, often emphasizing His power, authority, and covenantal relationship with humanity.
• Christophany is more specific, referring to appearances of the pre-incarnate or resurrected Christ, highlighting His mediatorial and redemptive role.

Some theologians use the terms interchangeably, especially when interpreting Old Testament appearances as pre-incarnate Christ. Others distinguish between them based on context, form, and purpose.

Conclusion

Theophanies and Christophanies reveal God’s presence with man and His unfolding plan of redemption. While both terms describe divine appearances, there is an agreed upon distinction:  Theophanies emphasize God’s majesty and covenantal faithfulness, and Christophanies are specifically interpreted as appearances of the pre-incarnate Christ and highlight His role as mediator and redeemer. 

Theophanies and Christophanies assure us that God is not distant. —He is actively involved in our lives and our world and when He sent Jesus into our world, the shadowy appearances were replaced with fuller revelation of His words and works.   

Examples of Theophanies/Christophanies in the Bible

• Genesis 3:8 – God walks in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve.
• Genesis 11:5 – God comes down to see the Tower of Babel.
• Genesis 12:7 – The Lord appears to Abraham, promising him the land.
• Genesis 16:7-14 – The Angel of the Lord appears to Hagar.
• Genesis 17:1 – The Lord appears to Abraham again, reaffirming His covenant.
• Genesis 18:1-33 – The Lord appears to Abraham in human form, along with two angels.
• Genesis 19:24 – God rains down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah.
• Genesis 22:11-18 – The Angel of the Lord stops Abraham from sacrificing Isaac.
• Genesis 28:10-22 – Jacob sees a ladder reaching from heaven to earth.
• Genesis 32:22-30 – Jacob wrestles with God, who appears as a man.
• Genesis 35:1-15 – God appears to Jacob again, renaming him Israel.
• Exodus 3:2-4:17 – God appears to Moses in a burning bush.
• Exodus 13:20-22 – God leads the Israelites as a pillar of cloud and fire.
• Exodus 24:9-11 – God appears to Moses, Aaron, and the elders on Mount Sinai.
• Exodus 33:9-11 – God speaks to Moses face-to-face.
• Exodus 33:18-23 – Moses sees God’s glory. 
• Exodus 34:5 – God comes down in a cloud.
• Leviticus 9:1-5, 23 – God appears to Moses, Aaron, and the Israelites. 
• Numbers 11:25 – God comes down in a cloud.
• Numbers 12:4-9 – God appears to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
• Numbers 14:10 – The glory of the Lord appears to the Israelites.
• Deuteronomy 31:14-15 – God appears to Moses and Joshua.
• Judges 6:11-24 – The Angel of the Lord appears to Gideon.
• Judges 13:2-25 – The Angel of the Lord appears to Manoah and his wife.
• 1 Kings 19:9-18 – God appears to Elijah on Mount Horeb.
• 2 Kings 19:35 – An angel of the Lord strikes down the Assyrian army.
• Psalm 18:7-15 – God’s power is described in terms of natural phenomena.
• Job 38-42 – God speaks to Job from a whirlwind.
• Isaiah 6:1-13 – Isaiah sees God on His throne in the temple.
• Ezekiel 1:4-28 – Ezekiel sees God’s glory in a vision.
• Ezekiel 8:1-18 – Ezekiel sees God’s glory again.
• Daniel 3:24-25 – A fourth man, often interpreted as Christ, appears in the fiery furnace.
• Daniel 7:9-10 – Daniel sees God as the Ancient of Days.
• Daniel 10:5-6 – Daniel sees a divine being, possibly an angel or Christ.
• Amos 9:1 – God appears to Amos.
• Zechariah 1:11 – God appears as the Angel of the Lord to Zechariah.
• Zechariah 3:1 – God appears as the Angel of the Lord to Zechariah.
• Jeremiah 1:4-9 – God appears to Jeremiah as the Word of the Lord

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