Appearance
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [1]
properly "that which strikes the eye, that which is exposed to view," signifies the "external appearance, form, or shape," and in this sense is used of the Holy Spirit in taking bodily form, as a dove, Luke 3:22; of Christ, 9:29, "the fashion of His countenance." Christ used it, negatively, of God the Father, when He said "Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form," John 5:37 . Thus it is used with reference to each person of the Trinity. Probably the same meaning attaches to the word in the Apostle's statement, "We walk by faith, not by sight (eidos)," 2—Corinthians 5:7 , where eidos can scarcely mean the act of beholding, but the visible "appearance" of things which are set in contrast to that which directs faith. The believer is guided, then, not only by what he beholds but by what he knows to be true though it is invisible.
1—Thessalonians 5:22FashionShapeSight.
pros, "towards," ops, "an eye," lit., "the part round the eye, the face," in a secondary sense "the look, the countenance," as being the index of the inward thoughts and feelings (cp. 1—Peter 3:12 , there used of the face of the Lord), came to signify the presentation of the whole person (translated "person," e.g., in Matthew 22:16 ). Cp. the expression in OT passages, as Genesis 19:21 (AV marg., "thy face"), where it is said by God of Lot, and Genesis 33:10 , where it is said by Jacob of Esau; see also Deuteronomy 10:17 ("persons"), Leviticus 19:15 ("person"). It also signifies the presence of a person, Acts 3:13; 1—Thessalonians 2:17; or the presence of a company, Acts 5:41 . In this sense it is sometimes rendered "appearance," 2—Corinthians 5:12 . In 2—Corinthians 10:7 , AV, "appearance," the RV corrects to "face." See Countenance , Face , Fashion , Person , Presence.
from ops, "the eye," connected with horao, "to see" (cp. No. 2), primarily denotes "seeing, sight;" hence, "the face, the countenance," John 11:44 ("face"); Revelation 1:16 ("countenance"); the outward "appearance," the look, John 7:24 , only here, of the outward aspect of a person. See Countenance , Face.
"an aspect, appearance," is used in Matthew 28:3 , RV, "appearance;" AV, "countenance."
"to make visible," is used in its participial form (Middle Voice), with the neuter article, as equivalent to a noun, and is translated "appearance," RV, for AV, "sight," Hebrews 12:21 .
King James Dictionary [2]
APPE'ARANCE, n.
1. The act of coming into sight the act of becoming visible to the eye as, his sudden appearance surprised me. 2. The thing seen a phenomenon as an appearance in the sky. 3. Semblance apparent likeness.
There was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire. Numbers 9 .
4. External show semblance assumed, in opposition to reality or substance as, we are often deceived by appearances he has the appearance of virtue.
For man looketh on the outward appearance. 1 Samuel 16 .
5. Personal presence exhibition of the person as, he made his first appearance at court or on the stage. 6. Exhibition of the character introduction of a person to the public in a particular character, as a person makes his appearance in the world, as a historian, an artist, or an orator. 7. Probability likelihood. This sense is rather an inference from the third or fourth as probability is inferred from external semblance or show. 8. Presence mien figure as presented by the person, dress or manners as, the lady made a noble appearance. 9. A being present in court a defendant's filing common or special bail to a process. 10. An apparition.
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): (n.) The act of appearing or coming into sight; the act of becoming visible to the eye; as, his sudden appearance surprised me.
(2): (n.) Personal presence; exhibition of the person; look; aspect; mien.
(3): (n.) Semblance, or apparent likeness; external show. pl. Outward signs, or circumstances, fitted to make a particular impression or to determine the judgment as to the character of a person or a thing, an act or a state; as, appearances are against him.
(4): (n.) A thing seed; a phenomenon; a phase; an apparition; as, an appearance in the sky.
(5): (n.) The coming into court of either of the parties; the being present in court; the coming into court of a party summoned in an action, either by himself or by his attorney, expressed by a formal entry by the proper officer to that effect; the act or proceeding by which a party proceeded against places himself before the court, and submits to its jurisdiction.
(6): (n.) Probability; likelihood.
(7): (n.) The act of appearing in a particular place, or in society, a company, or any proceedings; a coming before the public in a particular character; as, a person makes his appearance as an historian, an artist, or an orator.
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament [4]
Appearance See Christ in Art, and Portraits.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [5]
a - pēr´ans ( מראה , mar'eh ; chiefly used of the mystic and supernatural visions of Ezekiel and Daniel): A semblance, as of lightning, wheels, sapphire stone ( Ezekiel 1:14 , Ezekiel 1:16 , Ezekiel 1:26 ); Gabriel's overpowering revelation ( Daniel 8:15; see also Daniel 10:6 , Daniel 10:18 ). In the New Testament refers exclusively, through three Greek words, πρόσωπον , prósōpon , "sight," "countenance," to "outward appearance" ( 2 Corinthians 10:7 the King James Version); and its possibly deceptive nature: ὄψις , ópsis , "Judge not according to appearance." ( John 7:24 ); "them that glory in appearance." ( 2 Corinthians 5:12; compare 1 Samuel 16:7 ). See also 1 Thess 2:22, the English Revised Version, margin ( eı́dos = "sight").
