Apparition

Apparition (ἐπιφανεία, 2 Maccabees 5:4; ἴνδαλμα,

Wisd. 17:3; φάντασμα, Wisd. 17:15 [14]), the sudden appearance of a "ghost" or the spirit of a departed person (comp. Lu 24:37), or some other preternatural object. SEE SPECTRE. The belief in such occurrences has always been prevalent in the East; and among the modern Mohammedans the existence and manifestation of efreets is held an undoubted reality (Lane's Mod. Eg. 1, 344). SEE SUPERSTITION. Such a belief, however, has no sanction in the canonical Scriptures beyond the doubtful case of Saul (1Sa 28:14). SEE WITCHCRAFT. The visits of Christ to his disciples after his resurrection come under altogether a different category. SEE APPEARANCE.

⇒See also the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.