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ἐπιφάνεια

epipháneia

G2015 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A visible manifestation or appearance, especially one that is striking or significant; in some contexts, a notable or glorious display. In Hellenistic and early Christian usage, can refer to an overt manifestation or public appearance of a person or deity, or an extraordinary event conveying power or presence. In later Christian texts, sometimes designates a specific manifestation of Christ, particularly in reference to his (anticipated or remembered) arrival or presence.

Semantic Range

manifestation, visible appearance, public display, advent (especially of a deity or ruler), striking event; in Christian usage, manifestation or advent of Christ

Root / Etymology

From the adjective ἐπιφανής (epiphanēs, 'manifest, visible, illustrious'), itself from ἐπι- ('upon, over') and φαίνω ('to show, appear'). The construction expresses the sense of 'displaying itself outwardly' or 'coming into visibility.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἐπιφάνεια refers broadly to an appearance, often with the nuance of a remarkable, glorious, or divine manifestation (e.g., theopany, an appearance of a deity). Used in inscriptions and literature as an epithet for deities and rulers, marking their public appearance or manifestation. In the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) and other Jewish literature, can denote a visible intervention or act of God. In the New Testament, ἐπιφάνεια primarily refers to the manifest presence or arrival of Jesus, either in the sense of his incarnation (past) or anticipated return (future). English renderings like 'appearing' or 'manifestation' capture core meaning, but the term carries contextual connotations of divine presence, glory, and decisive revelation, which are not always represented in standard translations. It should not be reduced solely to Christological contexts, as the background usage is broader, including secular and polytheistic contexts as a technical term for sudden, visible appearance, especially of a divine agent or powerful ruler.

Translation Consistency

primary "appearance" 6 occurrences

'Appearance' is a natural, widely understood English noun that covers the semantic range of ἐπιφάνεια: a visible manifestation, public showing, or notable arrival. It matches common NT usage ('appearing/appearance'), works for both general manifestations and the specific Christian sense (the appearance/advent of Christ), and will read more naturally than the more formal 'manifestation'.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἐπιφανής; a manifestation, i.e. (specially) the advent of Christ (past or future):--appearing, brightness.

Root Family

ἐπιφάνεια (epiphaneia) — manifestation, visible appearance, public display, striking advent

Root φαίνω to appear, to become visible, to show forth

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2015-02 ἐπιφάνειαν epiphaneian N ACC F SG appearing visible manifestation the appearance 3
G2015-03 ἐπιφανείας epiphaneias N GEN F SG appearing of visible manifestation of visible appearance 2
G2015-01 ἐπιφανείᾳ epiphaneia N DAT F SG appearance to a visible manifestation appearance 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2015-01 2 Thessalonians 2:8 ἐπιφανείᾳ epiphaneia N DAT F SG appearance to a visible manifestation appearance
G2015-03 1 Timothy 6:14 ἐπιφανείας epiphaneias N GEN F SG appearing of visible manifestation of visible appearance
G2015-03 2 Timothy 1:10 ἐπιφανείας epiphaneias N GEN F SG appearing of visible manifestation of visible appearance
G2015-02 2 Timothy 4:1 ἐπιφάνειαν epiphaneian N ACC F SG appearing visible manifestation the appearance
G2015-02 2 Timothy 4:8 ἐπιφάνειαν epiphaneian N ACC F SG appearing visible manifestation the appearance
G2015-02 Titus 2:13 ἐπιφάνειαν epiphaneian N ACC F SG appearing visible manifestation the appearance
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