Divine Presence: Elements of Biblical Theophanies

The glory of the LORD a phrase used over one hundred times in the Bible describes Gods greatness and transcendence. This complex theological concept exhibits several natural elements which describe a theophany a personification of God in the forces of nature. Thus a theophany--the appearance of God in a visible form--is the physical manifestation of the divine presence most frequently associated with a storm. Of all the biblical accounts that illustrate the glory of the LORD the narrative of Moses encounter with God on Mount Sinai (Horeb) contains nineteen of the twenty-one elements that reveal the glory of the LORD: mountains sacred numbers Gods voice peoples (persons) response cloud water thunder lightning trumpet blast smoke fire earthquake terms of the event (covenant) sign transformation of witnesses altar feast (meal) wind light and darkness jewels (precious stones) and dreams. Each element is examined closely using biblical texts that best illustrate it.