To answer this question we need to recall the story of dedication of Solomon’s Temple. In response to Solomon’s prayer, God’s glory filled the newly build and dedicated Temple in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 6). The building was empty before Solomon offered the prayer and after it was filled with God’s glory to such a degree that even priests could not enter it (2 Chronicles 7).
But what does Glory mean in Hebrew?
The word used to signify glory is (כָּבוד – Kavod). This word also means honor and is connected with the general idea of (כָּבֵד – Kaved) “heavy”. The verb is (לְכַבֵּד – Lechabed) to honor, therefore, carries the idea of making something heavy (vs. making something light). The opposite word Kavod (Glory) is קַלון – Qalon (Shame/Dishonor) that is connected with the word קַל – Qal (which translated means light vs. heavy).
In post-biblical Jewish literature another term שְׁכִינָה – Shkhinah (less accurately pronounced as “Shekinah” or “Shekinah Glory” is used for God’s Glory when it comes to the felt presence and visible manifestations of God to men. Shkhenah in Hebrew simply means a neighbor (feminine singular). It is connected via its root the word מִשְׁכָּן – Mishkan which is one of the words used for tabernacle that Moses constructed. The concept, therefore, communicates the idea of “dwelling” or “dwelling with”.
To see other Biblical Hebrew Insights by Dr. Eli click HERE. To enroll into a course with eTeacherBiblical/Hebrew University of Jerusalem program, click HERE.
What I get from the teacher’s explanation is “Greatly honored due to the dwelling of ADONAI.” It’s ADONAI dwelling or residing in or with the Temple or us that greats this honor; And what a blessing it is! The Most Holy Place was Holy because of the dwelling of ADONAI in that place. And so too if ADONAI’s Spirit is in us we too become Holy
should read….”It’s ADONAI dwelling or residing in or with the Temple or us that creates this honor…”
Again, I come back to my offering the suggestion that “kabod” and its opposite (qal) refer to something subjective (as well as objective). But I think in our modern world of psychological insight, or awareness of conscious, subconscious & so on, we perhaps need to highlight and emphasize this side of it (Many years ago, I wrote a psychology in the ancient Jewish–involving KABOD, LEB(AB), NEPHESH. DAM,… It reflected more the complex psychology of ancient Egypt than the relatively simple modern psychology,)
Thank you Mr. Heise and Dr. Eli. I am deeply fascinated by the concept of “glory”, and this is helpful. To me, there is a “heaviness” in life as God, both Holy and Neighbor, is “glimpsed” or apprehended in so many ways: a mountain silence at dawn, the glance of a child, a moment of forgiveness, or maybe the “shekinah” as one is praying. I’m trying to wrap my mind around this, without removing the divine mystery of it all, to speak as a poet and writer who really believes in God’s glory everywhere, in the most common of things. But I am no Hebrew and have no knowledge of the language. Is there anything further either of you would recommend that I read? Am I way off base?
I offer a variant–a supplmentary or complementary view…that “glory” nearly always can be understood as the subjective side of “gravitas, splendor, weight”–namey “significance or meaning” the Meaning of God filled the temple. We have seen his meaning , meaning/significance, as of the only begotten of the father. “I have glorified the Fahter and he has glorified me” — I have shown you what the Fatherhood of God is about, and He has show what being a Chlld of God means.
Glory = meaning
Interesting. Thank you, Joris! Dr. Eli
thank you
In other words, I understand it like this now that when His presence comes down on true worshipers, then it transforms you into a higher dimension of glory…honor. He honors a true worshiper and visit him/her with His heavy presence. As I was preaching healing to the nations, and we worship in spirit and in truth, there comes a point of contact with Yeshua’s presence in our midst and people got healed right there.
thank you, Janis.
Looking forward to learn more.
Kind regards .
Sylvia ( from Belgium-Antwerp )
Dear Dr.:
Some time ago, I read in a weekly magazine the words “Kal El”, translated from hebrew, according the writer, as “Voice of God”, now, I am reading in your script the same word “Kal”, referred to “Light”, are these words the same, meaning two or more differents things, or are two different words, one of them very bad write? Also, I have read “Or”(hebrew) for light. Please, I wanna go out from these my mistery, be my savior¡ Best for you.
Kol means “voice” and “all”. Kal means “light” (vs. heavy).
BS”D
Unless you are using aramaic… ’cause קל Qal in aramaic is voice 🙂 and it’s writen just like hebrew for “Light” (vs. heavy).
boa tarde de hebraico nao entando muito pois ainda fiz o basico mas ja que peguei o bonde andando faço meu comentario sobre a gloria entendo que existe duas glorias uma de DEUS outra de homens agloria de DEUS e a que ele pode todas as coisas todo o universo criado por ele sustentador douniverso unico ser existente digno de receber todo louvor qque sai de dentro do meu ser e eterno seu tempo nao condiz com o meu tempo e a dos homens e sua gloria e passageira por pouco tempo chega ate mais ou menos cem anos mas a gloria de DEUS permanece como fez com o povo de abraao
BS”D
Boa tarde Vilson!
Obrigado por seu comentário. Bem, para o que você menciona, da glória de Deus e para a glória dos homens, eu diria como Kavod é “peso”, a glória do homem perante a Deus, é como uma erva que murcha, é seca e cai.
Bençoes!
Even though G-ds Glory fills the temple with such ‘Shkhenah presence –no one -not even his priests could enter—because of the Heaviness or Honor-Kavod
the temples role was that G-d would dwell with man- mishkan and I love the fact you made regarding the meaning of’ Glory’ Kavod–is G-ds Glory as ‘heavy’ and ‘honor’ could still dwell in the tabernacle Mishkan -as a neighbor dwelling with us — even though man had to keep the distance G-d was still dwelling in the tabernacle as a neighbor with us—thus the role of the tabernacle–
I was remembering the time Moses asked to see Gods Glory –and God protected Moses from seeing this -if he had he would have died-so he covered Moses with his hand and let his Glory pass by –Moses only saw G-ds shadow. Dina
Dina, shalom and welcome to our forum. May the Lord bless you richly. Dr. Eli
Todaraba ,Dr.Eli, God Bless You ! Rode Scheel.
Bevakasha (you’re welcome). Blessings! Dr. Eli
Your blogs Dr. Eli are much always appreciated, I value the learning here. Thank you and expecting further success for you and all in eTeacher.