ἐπιφανής

manifest, glorious, illustrious

Definition

The adjective ἐπιφανής (epiphanēs) means 'manifest,' 'glorious,' or 'illustrious.' It describes something or someone that is conspicuous, shining forth, or made clearly visible, often with a sense of splendor or renown. In its sole New Testament occurrence in Acts 2:20, it is used in a quotation from the Old Testament (Joel 2:31) to describe the 'great and glorious day of the Lord,' emphasizing the awe-inspiring, manifest presence and judgment of God. In broader Greek literature, it could describe a person of high distinction or a deity making a visible appearance.

Biblical Usage

ἐπιφανής is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 2:20, where Peter quotes the prophet Joel: 'The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.' Here, it specifically modifies 'day of the Lord,' characterizing it as a momentous, manifest, and awe-inspiring event of divine intervention and judgment.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἐπί (epi, meaning 'upon' or 'over') combined with the root φαν- (phan-, from φαίνω, phainō, meaning 'to shine' or 'to appear'). It literally means 'shining upon' or 'appearing over,' conveying the idea of something becoming clearly visible or manifest, often with brilliance. It is related to the noun ἐπιφάνεια (epiphaneia, G2015), which means 'appearance' or 'manifestation,' a term used for Christ's comings.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects to the concept of divine manifestation, or 'epiphany.' In Acts 2:20, it points to the ultimate manifestation of God's power and judgment. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading of eschatological passages, highlighting that the 'day of the Lord' is not a hidden event but a glorious, terrifying, and publicly visible climax of history. It also forms a lexical link to key passages about Christ's appearances (e.g., 2 Timothy 1:10 uses the related noun ἐπιφάνεια).

In the Greco-Roman world, ἐπιφανής and its related noun (epiphaneia) were often used in a religious and political context to describe the visible intervention or appearance of a god (a theophany) or the glorious arrival of a king or emperor. This cultural backdrop adds weight to its biblical use, framing the 'day of the Lord' as the supreme, world-altering manifestation of the true God, in contrast to pagan claims.

φανερός (phaneros, G5318) — emphasizes being visible, open, plain; less connotation of splendor. ἔνδοξος (endoxos, G1741) — emphasizes being held in honor, glorious, splendid; more focused on reputation than visible manifestation. λαμπρός (lampros, G2986) — emphasizes shining, bright, brilliant; often literal brightness or splendid attire.

Word Details

Scripture References