In biblical terms, an apparition refers to a supernatural appearance or manifestation, often of a spiritual being or divine presence. The concept of apparitions is woven throughout the Scriptures, where God, angels, and even spirits of the deceased make appearances to humans for various purposes. These occurrences are often marked by divine revelation, guidance, or judgment.

Old Testament Instances

One of the earliest and most notable apparitions in the Old Testament is the appearance of the Angel of the Lord to Hagar in the wilderness (Genesis 16:7-13). Here, the Angel provides comfort and guidance, promising Hagar that her descendants will be numerous. This encounter underscores the role of apparitions as a means of divine communication and intervention.

Another significant apparition is found in the account of Balaam, where the Angel of the Lord appears to him on the road, standing in opposition to his journey (Numbers 22:22-35). This apparition serves as a warning and a corrective measure, demonstrating God's sovereignty and the importance of obedience to His will.

The apparition of Samuel's spirit to King Saul, as conjured by the medium at Endor, is a unique and controversial event (1 Samuel 28:3-20). Saul, having lost favor with God, seeks guidance from the deceased prophet Samuel. This encounter highlights the dangers of seeking forbidden spiritual practices and the consequences of disobedience to God's commands.

New Testament Instances

In the New Testament, apparitions continue to play a significant role, particularly in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. One of the most profound instances is the Transfiguration, where Jesus is seen speaking with Moses and Elijah on a high mountain (Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36). This event reveals Jesus' divine nature and affirms His fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.

After His resurrection, Jesus Himself appears to His disciples on multiple occasions, providing proof of His victory over death and offering peace and instruction (John 20:19-29, Luke 24:36-49). These post-resurrection appearances are foundational to the Christian faith, affirming the reality of the resurrection and the hope of eternal life.

The Book of Acts records several angelic apparitions, such as the angel who frees Peter from prison (Acts 12:6-11) and the angel who appears to Paul during a storm at sea, assuring him of safety (Acts 27:23-24). These instances demonstrate God's ongoing protection and guidance for His people.

Theological Implications

Apparitions in the Bible serve as a means of divine revelation, often providing guidance, comfort, or warning. They underscore the reality of the spiritual realm and God's active involvement in human affairs. While the Bible records these supernatural events, it also warns against seeking or relying on unauthorized spiritual experiences, emphasizing the importance of discernment and adherence to God's Word.

The Berean Standard Bible captures these events with clarity, providing a faithful translation that aids in understanding the significance of apparitions within the biblical narrative.1. (n.) A ghost that becomes visible.

2. (n.) The thing appearing; a visible object; a form.

3. (n.) An unexpected, wonderful, or preternatural appearance; a ghost; a specter; a phantom.

4. (n.) The first appearance of a star or other luminary after having been invisible or obscured; -- opposed to occultation.

APPARITION

ap-a-rish'-un (indalma, epiphaneia; phantasma): This word is not found in the Old Testament or New Testament canon, the King James Version or the American Standard Revised Version, but occurs twice in the Revised Version (British and American) and thrice in Apocrypha the King James Version as follows: The Wisdom of Solomon 17:3, Greek indalma, the Revised Version (British and American) "spectral form"; 2 Maccabees 3:24, Greek epiphaneia, the Revised Version (British and American) "apparition," the Revised Version, margin "manifestation"; 2 Maccabees 5:4, Greek epiphaneia, the Revised Version (British and American) "vision," the Revised Version, margin "manifestation." New Testament, Revised Version: Matthew 14:26 Mark 6:49; Greek phantasma, the American Standard Revised Version "ghost," the King James Version "Spirit."

5326. phantasma -- an appearance, apparition
... an appearance, apparition. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: phantasma
Phonetic Spelling: (fan'-tas-mah) Short Definition: an apparition, ghost ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5326.htm - 6k

3701. optasia -- an appearing
... vision. From a presumed derivative of optanomai; visuality, ie (concretely) an
apparition -- vision. see GREEK optanomai. (optasia) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3701.htm - 7k

An Apparition Seen in the Cities Subject to Licinius, as of ...
... Book II. Chapter VI."An Apparition seen in the Cities subject to Licinius,
as of Constantine's Troops passing through them. While ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter vi an apparition seen in.htm

Mode of Managing an Apparition.
... Book IV. Chapter XXXVI."Mode of Managing an Apparition. And while speaking
these words, fire is seen borne through the air; but ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxxvi mode of managing an.htm

The Sexton's Strange Apparition
... Chapter 14. Justice for Methodists; Methodist Character; Instructions to Parents;
Wesley's Opinion of Mary Queen of Scots The Sexton's Strange Apparition. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the sextons strange apparition.htm

His Military Life --He is Wounded at the Siege of Pampeluna --His ...
... CHAPTER I HIS MILITARY LIFE"HE IS WOUNDED AT THE SIEGE OF PAMPELUNA"HIS CURE"SPIRITUAL
READING"THE APPARITION"THE GIFT OF CHASTITY"HIS LONGING FOR ...
/.../loyola/the autobiography of st ignatius/chapter i his military lifehe.htm

His Arrival in his Native Land and the virtues Practised There ...
... CHAPTER VIII HIS ARRIVAL IN HIS NATIVE LAND AND THE VIRTUES PRACTISED THERE"HIS
JOURNEY INTO SPAIN AND ITALY"THE FAMOUS APPARITION AND HIS LIFE IN THE SAME ...
/.../loyola/the autobiography of st ignatius/chapter viii his arrival in.htm

Whether Christ's Body is Truly There when Flesh or a Child Appears ...
... On the contrary, When such apparition takes place, the same reverence is shown to
it as was shown at first, which would not be done if Christ were not truly ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs body is truly.htm

The Evidence of the Senses More Trustworthy than that of ...
... For your proposition was, that one is better able to know more fully, and to attain
confidence, [1350] when he hears in consequence of an apparition, than when ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xiv the evidence of the.htm

The Evidence of the Senses Contrasted with that from Supernatural ...
... you with your own eyes, [1347] and heard them with your own ears, and that it is
not possible for any other to have anything similar by vision or apparition. ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xiii the evidence of the.htm

This ChapterSpeaks of the Manner in which God Communicates with ...
... 1. The jewel in the locket.2. The simile explained.3. The apparition explained.4.
Awe produced by this vision.5. False and genuine visions.6. Illusive visions.7 ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter ix this chapter speaks.htm

M. Jesus Appearing to the Apostles. Ch. 24:36-43
... When the disciples saw him they thought that they did see a mere specter, an apparition,
a spirit, just as many persons have thought, even to the present day ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/m jesus appearing to the.htm

Apparition (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. APPARITION. ap-a-rish'-un ... Version "Spirit.".
Multi-Version Concordance Apparition (3 Occurrences). Matthew 14 ...
/a/apparition.htm - 8k

Vision (106 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Luke 1:22), a vivid apparition, not a dream (Comp. Luke
24:23; Acts 26:19; 2 Corinthians 12:1). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/v/vision.htm - 45k

Ghost (123 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The disembodied soul; the soul or spirit of a deceased person;
a spirit appearing after death; an apparition; a specter. ...
/g/ghost.htm - 39k

Seeing (442 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:26 And the disciples, seeing him walking on the sea, were troubled, saying,
It is an apparition. And they cried out through fear. (DBY). ...
/s/seeing.htm - 34k

Apparently (3 Occurrences)

/a/apparently.htm - 8k

Appeal (30 Occurrences)

/a/appeal.htm - 20k

Onias
... But when Heliodorus had already entered the temple, "the Sovereign of spirits, and
of all authority caused a great apparition," a horse with a terrible rider ...
/o/onias.htm - 10k

Fetch (45 Occurrences)
... trick; an artifice. 10. (n.) The apparition of a living person; a wraith.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FETCH. Has generally the ...
/f/fetch.htm - 24k

Phantom (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) That which has only an apparent existence; an apparition;
a specter; a phantasm; a sprite; an airy spirit; an ideal image. ...
/p/phantom.htm - 6k

Appearance (126 Occurrences)
... appearance surprised me. 2. (n.) A thing seed; a phenomenon; a phase; an
apparition; as, an appearance in the sky. 3. (n.) Personal ...
/a/appearance.htm - 41k

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