Bible Dictionary
APPEAR
To appear means to become visible or manifest. In Scripture it may describe God’s self-revelation, visions, angels, natural phenomena, the risen Christ’s appearances, or the future manifestation of Christ and judgment.
Definition
To appear is to become visible, be seen, or be made manifest. The term may describe a visible revelation, a dream or vision, an angelic manifestation, a natural process, or the disclosure of something previously hidden. It can also carry the thought of a shining or resplendent revelation.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses appearing for God’s self-revelations, visions, angels, the risen Christ, Pentecostal phenomena, the disclosure of sin, and Christ’s future manifestation. It also describes the coming of morning, stars, flowers, flocks, and grapes.
Historical Background
The supplied material distinguishes several Hebrew and Greek expressions, including terms meaning “to be seen,” “to shine,” and “to make manifest.”
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-per': Of eight Hebrew originals the chief is ra'ah, "to be seen." Used mainly of God's self-revelations in person and in dreams and visions: "Yahweh appeared unto Abram" (Ge 12:7); to Moses (Ex 3:2); to Solomon (1Ki 3:5). All originals used of Nature's processes, of the appearing, i.e. coming of the morning (Ex 14:27); stars (Ne 4:21); flowers, flocks of goats, tender grapes (So 2:12; 4:1 m; So 7:12 margin). So New Testament ophthen, passive of horao, "I see," "to be seen" used especially of angelic revelations and visions: as on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mt 17:3); an angel (Lu 1:11); the risen Lord (Lu 24:34); cloven tongues at Pentecost (Ac 2:3); vision to Paul (Ac 16:9); a great wonder in heaven (Re 12:1, the King James Version). opiano, in Ac 1:3, of Christ appearing after his suffering; phainomai, "to shine," like the above with the added thought of a resplendent, luminous revelation, as of the Bethlehem star (Mt 2:7); the bringing to light of sin (Ro 7:13, the King James Version). Also phaneroo, "to make manifest," used exclusively of the post-resurrection appearances and second coming of Christ and of the disclosures of the great judgment day. See Col 3:4; 2Co 5:10; Re 3:18 and seven other passages the King James Version.</p><p>Dwight M. Pratt</p>