Shekinah Glory in Jewish and Christian Traditions
The term "Shekinah" (or "Shechinah") is a Chaldee word meaning "resting-place" or "dwelling," and it is not found in the biblical text itself [1, 4]. Instead, it was used by later Jews and subsequently adopted by Christians to describe the visible manifestation of God's divine presence [1]. This concept often refers to the visible majesty of God, particularly when it was perceived to rest or dwell between the cherubim on the mercy seat in the Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple [1, 5].
The idea of God's dwelling presence is evident in various biblical accounts, even if the specific term "Shekinah" is not used. For instance, when the Lord led Israel out of Egypt, He went before them in a pillar of cloud, symbolizing His presence [4]. Throughout the wilderness wanderings, this visible presence is referenced in passages such as Exodus 14:20, 40:34-38, Leviticus 9:23-24, and Numbers 14:10, 16:19, 42 [4]. It is believed that after Israel entered Canaan, this "glory-cloud" settled in the Tabernacle upon the ark [4].
In the prophetic books, the "glory of the Lord" is frequently mentioned. Ezekiel describes Yahweh's glory mounting up from the cherub and standing over the threshold of the house, filling it with a cloud and brightness [2, 3]. This "Shekinah cloud of Jehovah's glory" is seen as remaining in the temple despite the people's idolatry, demonstrating God's long-suffering [8, 9]. Adam Clarke, a Methodist commentator, identifies the "cloud" that filled the house as the "Divine shechinah, the symbolical representation of the majesty of God," similar to events at the Tabernacle and the dedication of Solomon's Temple [12].
The "glory of the Lord" is also understood as God Himself, whom Israel was meant to glorify [6, 7]. The Shekinah, or cloud resting on the sanctuary, was considered the symbol of this glory [6]. In the New Testament, Stephen, while being martyred, "saw the glory of God," which Adam Clarke interprets as the Shekinah, "the splendor or manifestation of the Divine Majesty" [11]. This visible manifestation of God's presence served as a tangible sign of His covenant with His people and His active involvement in their history [10].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Shechinah — (dwelling). This term is not found in the Bible. It was used by the later Jews, and borrowed by Christians from them, to express the visible majesty of the divine Presence especially when resting or dwelling between the cherubim on the mercyseat. In the tabernacle and in the temple of Solomon, but not in the second temple. The use of the term is first found in the Targums, where it forms a frequent periphrasis for God, considered its dwelling among the children of Israel. The idea which the different accounts in Scripture convey is that of a most brilliant”
- Ezekiel “Yahweh’s glory mounted up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of Yahweh’s glory. -- Ezekiel 10:4”
- Ezekiel “The glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon it was, to the threshold of the house: and he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn by his side. -- Ezekiel 9:3”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Shechinah — A Chaldee word meaning resting-place, not found in Scripture, but used by the later Jews to designate the visible symbol of God's presence in the tabernacle, and afterwards in Solomon's temple. When the Lord led Israel out of Egypt, he went before them "in a pillar of a cloud." This was the symbol of his presence with his people. For references made to it during the wilderness wanderings, see Ex. 14:20; 40:34-38; Lev. 9:23, 24; Num. 14:10; 16:19, 42. It is probable that after the entrance into Canaan this glory-cloud settled in the tabernacle upon the ark”
- 1 Chronicles “and for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot, the cherubim, that spread out, and covered the ark of the covenant of Yahweh. -- 1 Chronicles 28:18”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 2:11: glory--Jehovah, the glory of Israel (Psa 106:20; Rom 1:23). The Shekinah, or cloud resting on the sanctuary, was the symbol of "the glory of the Lord" (Kg1 8:11; compare Rom 9:4). The golden calf was intended as an image of the true God (compare Exo 32:4-5), yet it is called an "idol" (Act 7:41). It (like Roman Catholic images) was a violation of the second commandment, as the heathen multiplying of gods is a violation of the first. not profit-- (Jer 2:8).”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 13:11: (Jer 33:9; Exo 19:5). glory--an ornament to glory in.”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 8:4: The Shekinah cloud of Jehovah's glory, notwithstanding the provocation of the idol, still remains in the temple, like that which Ezekiel saw "in the plain" (Eze 3:22-23); not till Eze 10:4, Eze 10:18 did it leave the temple at Jerusalem, showing the long-suffering of God, which ought to move the Jews to repentance.”
- Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 8:4: And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there,.... In the temple, between the cherubim, where the Shechinah or the glory of the divine Majesty dwelt; for as yet he had not removed, though provoked to it, and as he afterwards did; or he was here to destroy the idols, and both city and temple, for the idolatry of the people; or this is here mentioned, to show the baseness and wickedness of the people, that they should place an idol where the Lord himself was: according to the vision that I saw in the plain; it was the same glorious Person he saw in the temple ”
- Amos (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Amos 8:7: Lord hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob--that is by Himself, in whom Jacob's seed glory [MAURER]. Rather, by the spiritual privileges of Israel, the adoption as His peculiar people [CALVIN], the temple, and its Shekinah symbol of His presence. Compare Amo 6:8, where it means Jehovah's temple (compare Amo 4:2). never forget--not pass by without punishing (Amo 8:2; Hos 8:13; Hos 9:9).”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 7:55: Saw the glory of God - The Shekinah, the splendor or manifestation of the Divine Majesty. And Jesus standing on the right hand of God - In his official character, as Mediator between God and man. Stephen had this revelation while in the Sanhedrin; for as yet he had not been forced out of the city. See Act 7:58.”
- Ezekiel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ezekiel 10:4: The glory of the Lord went up - This is repeated from Eze 9:3. The house was filled with the cloud - This is a fact similar to what occurred frequently at the tabernacle in the wilderness, and in the dedication of the temple by Solomon. What is mentioned here was the Divine shechinah, the symbolical representation of the majesty of God.”