Word of the Day - 12/25/25
theophany
/θi'ɑfəni/(n.): a visible (but not necessarily material) manifestation of a deity to a human person
The Incarnation was no passing theophany, but God dwelling in flesh.
Word Origin
The word 'theophany' originates from Ancient Greek. It is composed of two parts: 'theo-' (from theos, θεός), meaning 'god', and '-phany' (from phainein, φαίνειν), meaning 'to appear' or 'to show'. Thus, 'theophany' literally means 'an appearance of a god'.
Words sharing the 'theo-' root include 'theology' (study of God), 'theocracy' (rule by God), 'monotheism' (belief in one God), 'polytheism' (belief in multiple gods), and 'atheist' (one without God). Words sharing the '-phany' root include 'epiphany' (a sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something), 'diaphanous' (light, delicate, and translucent), 'phantom' (a ghost), and 'phenomenon' (a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one whose cause or explanation is in question).