In biblical literature, the term "phantom" is not explicitly used in most traditional translations, including the Berean Standard Bible . However, the concept of a phantom can be associated with various scriptural references to spirits, apparitions, or ghostly figures. These occurrences often carry significant theological implications and are interpreted within the broader context of biblical teachings on the spiritual realm.

Old Testament References

One of the most notable references to a ghostly figure in the Old Testament is found in 1 Samuel 28, where King Saul seeks the counsel of the deceased prophet Samuel through a medium at Endor. The medium conjures up a spirit, which Saul perceives as Samuel. The BSB describes this event: "Then the woman asked, 'Whom shall I bring up for you?' 'Bring up Samuel,' he replied. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, 'Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!'" (1 Samuel 28:11-12). This passage raises questions about the nature of the apparition and the boundaries between the living and the dead, emphasizing the prohibition against necromancy found in Deuteronomy 18:10-12.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of a phantom is indirectly addressed in the accounts of Jesus walking on water. In Matthew 14:26 , the disciples, seeing Jesus walking on the sea, are terrified and exclaim, "It is a ghost!" This reaction highlights the disciples' fear and misunderstanding, as they initially perceive Jesus as a spectral figure rather than recognizing His divine authority over nature.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the Bible consistently warns against engaging with spirits or attempting to communicate with the dead. Such practices are seen as contrary to the faith and trust that believers are to place in God alone. The Bible affirms the reality of the spiritual realm, including both holy and unholy entities, but it cautions against seeking knowledge or power through forbidden means.

The biblical narrative underscores the sovereignty of God over all creation, including the spiritual world. Believers are encouraged to rely on God's revelation through Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit rather than seeking answers through supernatural encounters with phantoms or spirits.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, beliefs in spirits and the afterlife were prevalent. The biblical texts often address these beliefs by contrasting them with the worship of the one true God. The Israelites were called to be distinct from surrounding nations, which frequently engaged in practices such as divination and spiritism.

Conclusion

While the term "phantom" itself may not appear in the Berean Standard Bible, the concept is woven into the fabric of biblical teaching on the spiritual realm. The Bible provides clear guidance on the nature of spiritual encounters and the importance of adhering to God's commandments regarding the unseen world.(n.) That which has only an apparent existence; an apparition; a specter; a phantasm; a sprite; an airy spirit; an ideal image.5326. phantasma -- an appearance, apparition
... Transliteration: phantasma Phonetic Spelling: (fan'-tas-mah) Short Definition: an
apparition, ghost, spirit Definition: an apparition, ghost, spirit, phantom. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5326.htm - 6k6754. tselem -- an image
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition an image NASB Word Usage form (1), image
(5), images (6), likenesses (3), phantom (1). image, vain show. ...
/hebrew/6754.htm - 6k

8544. temunah -- likeness, form
... Or tmunah {tem-oo-naw'}; from miyn; something portioned (ie Fashioned) out, as a
shape, ie (indefinitely) phantom, or (specifically) embodiment, or ...
/hebrew/8544.htm - 6k

Other Incidents of the Passion Minutely Compared with Prophecy ...
... Indeed, if it was not flesh (upon the cross), but a phantom [5155] of flesh (and
[5156] a phantom is but spirit, and [5157] so the spirit breathed its own self ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xlii other incidents of the.htm

Absurdity of Marcion's Docetic Opinions; Reality of Christ's ...
... asp," as the adage runs, "from the viper" [3208] "and henceforth vomit forth the
virulence of his own disposition, as when he alleges Christ to be a phantom. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter viii absurdity of marcions docetic.htm

Christ Truly Lived and Died in Human Flesh Incidents of his Human ...
... the world, by believing "the foolish things of God." Have you, then, cut away [7003]
all sufferings from Christ, on the ground that, as a mere phantom, He was ...
/.../tertullian/ on the flesh of christ/chapter v christ truly lived and.htm

Conclusions Jesus as the Christ of the Creator Proved from the ...
... The Body of Christ After Death No Mere Phantom. ... Else, if He were altogether a phantom,
why did He upbraid them for supposing Him to be a phantom? ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xliii conclusions jesus as the.htm

The Divine Power Shown in Christ's Incarnation Meaning of St. ...
... If the Father "sent His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh," [5837] it must not
therefore be said that the flesh which He seemed to have was but a phantom. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xiv the divine power shown.htm

Out of St. Luke's Fifth ChapterAre Found Proofs of Christ's ...
... For a phantom is not susceptible of defilement. He therefore, who could not
be defiled, as being a phantom, will not have an immunity ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter ix out of st lukes.htm

The Epistle to the Philippians the Variances Amongst the Preachers ...
... that they have the apostle on their side in the following passage in the matter
of Christ's substance"that in Him there was nothing but a phantom of flesh. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xx the epistle to the.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xiv. 24, "But the Boat was Now ...
... Of a truth Thou art the Son of God." [2542] But before this plain discovery of Himself
[2543] they were troubled, saying, "It is a phantom." [2544] But He ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxv on the words.htm

Abba, Father!
... To myself, in the morning of childhood, the evil doctrine was a mist through which
the light came struggling, a cloud-phantom of repellent mien"requiring ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/abba father.htm

1 John ii. 22, 23
... him the Son of God but not the Son of Man, denying the reality of his human
manifestation, and changing his divine-human history into a misty phantom; lie who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john ii 22 23.htm

Phantom (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Phantom (1 Occurrence). Psalms 39:6 "Surely every
man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. ...
/p/phantom.htm - 6k

Vision (106 Occurrences)
... that which is seen otherwise than by the ordinary sight, or the rational eye; a
supernatural, prophetic, or imaginary sight; an apparition; a phantom; a specter ...
/v/vision.htm - 45k

Ghost (123 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Any faint shadowy semblance; an unsubstantial image; a phantom; a
glimmering; as, not a ghost of a chance; the ghost of an idea. ...
/g/ghost.htm - 39k

Form (153 Occurrences)
... mere form. 6. (n.) Orderly arrangement; shapeliness; also, comeliness; elegance;
beauty. 7. (n.) A shape; an image; a phantom. 8. (n ...
/f/form.htm - 45k

Trance (7 Occurrences)
... affecting a number of persons simultaneously we have conditions closely allied to
trance, and doubtless some of the well-authenticated phantom appearances are ...
/t/trance.htm - 12k

Phantoms (1 Occurrence)

/p/phantoms.htm - 6k

Phaltiel (2 Occurrences)

/p/phaltiel.htm - 7k

Apparition (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The thing appearing; a visible object; a form. 3. (n.) An unexpected, wonderful,
or preternatural appearance; a ghost; a specter; a phantom. ...
/a/apparition.htm - 8k

Shadow (72 Occurrences)
... inseparable companion; hence, an obsequious follower. 6. (n.) A spirit;
a ghost; a shade; a phantom. 7. (n.) An imperfect and faint ...
/s/shadow.htm - 35k

Apostles'
... to His disciples; That He showed them the prints of the nails and (the wound) in
His side, being desirous of persuading them that He was no phantom, but was ...
/a/apostles'.htm - 20k

Who was Ignatius of Antioch? | GotQuestions.org

Phantom: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus