<P> Theophany (from Ancient Greek (ἡ) θεοφάνεια theophaneia, meaning "appearance of a god") is the appearance of a deity to a human . </P> <P> This term has been used to refer to appearances of the gods in the ancient Greek and Near Eastern religions . While the Iliad is the earliest source for descriptions of theophanies in the Classical tradition / era (and they occur throughout Greek mythology), probably the earliest description of a theophany is in the Epic of Gilgamesh . </P> <P> The term theophany has acquired a specific usage for Christians and Jews with respect to the Bible: It refers to the manifestation of the Abrahamic God to people; the sensible sign by which his presence is revealed . Only a small number of theophanies are found in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament . </P> <P> At Delphi the Theophania (Θεοφάνια) was an annual festival in spring celebrating the return of Apollo from his winter quarters in Hyperborea . The culmination of the festival was a display of an image of the gods, usually hidden in the sanctuary, to worshippers . Later Roman mystery religions often included similar brief displays of images to excited worshippers . </P>

What is a theophany in the old testament