What is a Christophany?
The Bible is a treasure trove of mysteries and revelations, one of which is the concept of a Christophany. While the term might sound academic, its significance is deeply rooted in understanding God’s plan for redemption as revealed in Scripture. In this blog, we’ll explore what a Christophany is, break down the Greek origins of the word, and examine five examples of Christophanies in the Old Testament.
The Meaning of Christophany
The word "Christophany" comes from two Greek words: “Christos” (Χριστός), meaning “Christ” or “Anointed One,” and “phaino” (φαίνομαι), meaning “to appear” or “to manifest.” Together, the term refers to an appearance or manifestation of Christ before His incarnation in the New Testament. A Christophany, therefore, is an encounter with the pre-incarnate Christ in human or angelic form, often revealing God’s character and purposes.
Five Examples of Christophanies in the Old Testament
The Old Testament contains several accounts where “The Angel of the Lord” or other divine figures appear in ways that scholars and theologians have identified as Christophanies. Let’s explore five of these:
The Angel of the Lord and Hagar (Genesis 16:7-13)
Hagar, fleeing from Sarah’s mistreatment, encounters “The Angel of the Lord” in the wilderness. Here Christ in the form of an angel comforts her and promises to greatly multiply her descendants. Hagar recognizes this encounter as divine, naming the place “Beer-lahai-roi” (“Well of the Living One who sees me”). The Angel’s authority and the use of divine language point to this being the pre-incarnate Christ.
The Three Visitors to Abraham (Genesis 18:1-33)
When three men visit Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, one of them is identified as the Lord. This visitor speaks with authority, promises the birth of Isaac, and engages Abraham in intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah. The divine authority and unique interaction suggest the presence of Christ.
The Angel of the Lord and Moses (Exodus 3:1-6)
At the burning bush, Moses encounters “The Angel of the Lord,” who speaks from the fire and declares, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” The Angel’s identification with God and the command to remove sandals on holy ground strongly imply this is a Christophany.
The Commander of the Lord’s Army and Joshua (Joshua 5:13-15)
On the eve of the battle of Jericho, Joshua meets a man who identifies Himself as the Commander of the Lord’s Army. Joshua falls in worship, and the figure does not rebuke him, instead commanding him to remove his sandals, echoing Moses’ burning bush encounter. This interaction points to the pre-incarnate Christ leading God’s people.
The Angel of the Lord and Gideon (Judges 6:11-24)
Gideon encounters “The Angel of the Lord” under an oak tree. This figure commissions Gideon to deliver Israel from Midian and accepts an offering that is consumed by fire. Gideon exclaims, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.” The divine authority and worship in this scene suggest a Christophany.
Conclusion
Christophanies remind us of the unity of Scripture and the eternal nature of Christ. They reveal the consistent work of God in history and His desire to engage with His people. These encounters in the Old Testament foreshadow the ultimate revelation of Christ in the New Testament, where the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). By recognizing Christophanies, we gain a deeper appreciation for the continuity of God’s redemptive plan and the person of Jesus Christ as He has been revealed from Genesis to Revelation.