theophany

American  

[thee-of-uh-nee] / θiˈɒf ə ni /

noun

theophanies plural

1. a manifestation or appearance of God or a god to a person.

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theophany British  

/ θɪˈɒfənɪ, θɪəˈfænɪk /

noun

1. theol a manifestation of a deity to man in a form that, though visible, is not necessarily material

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• theophanous
  adjective
• theophanic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• theophanies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of theophany

1625–35; < Late Latin theophania < Late Greek theopháneia. See theo-, -phany

Explanation

When someone believes she has seen a true vision of God, it can be called a theophany. A theophany is an experience that many people hope for but few achieve: seeing an actual deity. Eastern and ancient Greek religions, as well as Christianity and Judaism, describe various types of theophanies. The Greek roots mean "god" and "appearance," and they show up in hundreds of other English words — theology, theocracy, and monotheism all come from theos, or god, and diaphanous, sycophant, and phantom come from phainein, "to show or to appear."

Example Sentences

The holiday is also called the Feast of Epiphany, Three Kings Day and Theophany.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 6, 2024

Such is the distinguishing feature of this supreme Theophany.

From Memorials of the Faithful by `Abdu'l-Bahá

For one, Lola was chosen to sit with three other tots, the most beautiful of Tewana's children, at the feet of the Virgin in the Theophany of the "Black Christ" at the eastern fiesta.

From The Spinner's Book of Fiction by Various

Theophany is used in the sense of Dispensation...”

From Directives from the Guardian by Shoghi Effendi

S. Isidore of Pelusium, in Egypt, mentions the Theophany and the Nativity of our Saviour, according to the flesh, as two different festivals.

From A Righte Merrie Christmasse The Story of Christ-Tide by Behrend, Arthur C.