The Shekinah glory—What is it?

what does the bible say?

The Shekinah glory is the Hebrew name given to the presence of God dwelling on the earth. Though the word “Shekinah” is not found in the Bible, His dwelling presence is seen throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, His glory appeared in forms like the pillars of cloud and fire, showing God’s presence in tangible ways while protecting and directing His people. In the New Testament, Jesus came to dwell among us (John 1:14). He embodies the fullness of God, and through His death, resurrection, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, God’s presence now dwells within all who trust in Him for salvation. God’s indwelling glory transforms our hearts, empowers us to live according to God’s ways, and enables us to reflect God’s character to the world.

from the old testament

• The word “Shekinah” does not actually appear in the Bible, but in Hebrew, it can mean “he caused to dwell,” and it was the term given to a divine visitation of Yahweh. A notable example of the Shekinah glory is the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night that guided the Israelites through the desert after their exodus from Egypt (Exodus 13:20–22).
• The Shekinah glory is a visible manifestation of God in the natural world. At times, the Spirit of the Lord would visit people in human form (Genesis 18:1–2), and at times, the Spirit of the Lord would “rush upon” a person and give them supernatural powers (Judges 14:6; 1 Samuel 10:6). But neither of these is the Shekinah glory.
• The Shekinah glory is the presence of God in a natural object, like the pillar of cloud or the burning bush (Exodus 3:2). When Moses spoke to God in the cloud, it was the same as speaking to Him “face to face” (Exodus 33:11). But when Moses asked to see God’s glory directly, God refused, saying, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live” (Exodus 33:20). The direct, visible presence of God is too much for human eyes or human minds to encounter without dying. This is why God chooses to appear to man in other forms.

from the new testament

• Jesus Christ was the ultimate form of God appearing to man (John 1:14).
• Colossians 2:9 says that “in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.”
• Jesus told His disciples that anyone who had seen Him had also seen the Father (John 14:9). Jesus is God incarnate. He is the second person of the Trinity, who took on human flesh, lived a perfect life, died as an atoning sacrifice for our sins, and rose back to life, proving He is who He says He is, and His work is sufficient for our salvation.
• The book of Hebrews beautifully describes Jesus as the High Priest who offered an eternal sacrifice in the holy place, so there would be no more separation between man and God and no more need for sacrifices (Hebrews 9:1–28). When that body was torn on the cross, the veil hanging over the holy place was also torn in two (Matthew 27:51). This was a symbol—it meant that Christ had finished the work of grace, giving us access to the Lord Himself (Hebrews 4:16) and to His Holy Spirit, who comes to dwell within us when we put our faith in Him (Ephesians 1:13–14; James 4:5; 2 Timothy 1:14).

implications for today

The very presence of God dwells within His people. Just as the Israelites were guided and protected by the visible Shekinah glory in the wilderness, today, we are led, empowered, and transformed by the indwelling presence of God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in those who trust in Him for the forgiveness of sins! This reality changes everything. Not only are we saved, but we are able to have intimate fellowship with the Creator of the universe. We have His power to sustain us and empower us to live for what lasts for eternity, and we have His glory in us, allowing us to reflect Him to the world. Experiencing God’s glory moves us from mere knowledge about Him to a vibrant, living encounter that changes how we think, speak, and act each day.

Recap

understand

• Though the word “Shekinah” is not in the Bible, it describes God’s visible presence on earth.
• Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of God’s glory.
• God’s glory now dwells within believers through the Holy Spirit.

reflect

• How does knowing that God’s glory dwells within you change the way you live?
• How can you actively reflect God’s presence and character to those around you?
• How has experiencing God’s presence in your life deepened your understanding of His power and love?

engage

• What parallels are there between the visible Shekinah glory in the Old Testament and the indwelling presence of God today?
• How can understanding Jesus as the ultimate manifestation of God’s glory and presence shape our faith?
• In what practical ways can our lives serve as a reflection of God’s glory to others?