Synonyms for “appear”, “appearing”, etc

Source: Companion Bible Appendix #106

I. Appear (verb)

There are eight words (or expressions) rendered appear, etc., in the A.V., which are to be distinguished as follows:

  1. phaino (φαίνω) = to shine forth so as to be seen: having reference to the manner in which a matter presents or shows itself, independently of any observer. Hence the word phenomenon.
  2. anaphainomai Passive of No. 1, with ana prefixed (ἀναφαίνω) = to be shown forth, come to light, come into sight.
  3. epiphaino (ἐπιφαίνω) = to shine, shew light upon. No. 1 with epi (Appendix 104. ix).
  4. emphanizo (ἐμφανίζω) = to cause to be manifested or shown plainly and clearly; used of causing that to be seen (or known) which would not otherwise have been cognizable by the unaided eye (or mind). It occurs ten times: Mat 27:53; Joh 14:21-22; Act 23:15,22; 24:1; 25:2,15. Heb 9:24; 11:14. Compare the Septuagint use for Hebrew hodia (Exo 33:13); and for amar (Es 2:22).
  5. phaneroo (φανερόω) = to bring to light, make manifest. Compare phaneros = manifest in No. 8 below.
  6. optomai (ὀπτάνομαι) = to see with the eye, referring to the thing seen (objectively); thus differing from blepo (see Appendix 133. I. 5), which denotes the act of seeing or of using the eye.
  7. erchomai (ερχομαι) = to come. Rendered “appear” only in Act 22:30, where all the critical texts (See Appendix 94) read sunerchomai = “come together”.
  8. eimi phaneros (φανερός) = to be visible, manifest, or open to sight (phaneros, adj. of No. 5, above, with eimi = to be). So rendered only in 1Ti 4:15.
  9. apokalupto (ἀποκαλύπτω) = to unveil so as to be visible to the eye.

II. Appearing (noun)

  1. apokalupsis (ἀποκάλυψις) = unveiling, revelation, manifestation. Hence English: “Apocalypse”. From apo = from (Appendix 104. iv), and kalupto, to cover = uncovering, or unveiling. When used of a person it always denotes that he is visible. Occurs Luke 2:32; Rom 2:5; 8:19; 16:25; 1Co 1:7; 14:6,26; 2Co 12:1,7; Gal 1:12; 2:2; Eph 1:17; 3:3; 2Th 1:7; 1Pe 1:7,13; 4:19; Rev 1:1
  2. epiphaneia (ἐπιφάνεια) = a shining forth upon. Hence, English: “epiphany”. From No. 3, above