What is a theophany?

• A. A dream inspired by God.
• B. A visible manifestation or appearance of God.
• C. A symbolic vision without any divine presence.
• D. A private message from angels.

Answer: (B)

A theophany is a visible manifestation or appearance of God to a person. It means God reveals himself in a form that can be seen or perceived with human senses, often accompanied by accompanying signs like fire, cloud, or a commanding voice. This is why biblical accounts of Moses at the burning bush, Israel’s cloud and fire guiding the people, or God’s radiant glory seen by prophets are understood as theophanies—God breaking into human experience in a perceptible way.

Notice how this differs from a dream or inner message: a dream inspired by God is not a visible encounter in the waking world, and a private message from angels is a communication from a created being, not God appearing in visible form. A symbolic vision without divine presence likewise does not show God appearing; there is perception or symbolism, but nothing of God himself visibly revealed.