Theophany

In the Bible, theophany-related language includes passages in which the LORD, God, or the messenger or angel of the LORD appears, as well as speech from the midst of fire. The word or idea recurs in at least 20 verses across 5 books and 13 episodes.

Genesis reports that the LORD appeared to Abram, spoke of giving land to his offspring, and received an altar there (Genesis 12:7). Another passage says that the LORD appeared to Abram and identified himself as “El the Almighty” (Genesis 17:1). Genesis 18:1 says that the LORD appeared by the oaks of Mamre; Genesis 18:2 separately says that three men were standing before him. God also appeared to Jacob and blessed him (Genesis 35:9).

In Exodus, the messenger of the LORD appears in a flame from a bush that burns without being consumed (Exodus 3:2). Deuteronomy describes the LORD speaking from the midst of fire while the hearers saw no form except a voice (Deuteronomy 4:12). In Joshua, a man is seen with a drawn sword (Joshua 5:13), while another verse identifies the speaker as the ruler of the army of the LORD (Joshua 5:14). Judges likewise records appearances of the messenger or angel of the LORD (Judges 6:12; Judges 13:3).