What is the shekinah glory of God?
"Shekinah" is the rabbinic word for God’s visible, dwelling presence — the cloud over the tabernacle, the fire in the temple, the radiance at Christ’s transfiguration, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, "the Word made flesh" who dwelt among us.
Though the word "shekinah" itself is not in the Bible, the reality is everywhere: the pillar of cloud in the wilderness, the cloud that filled Solomon’s temple, the glory between the cherubim.
In Jesus, John says, "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us… and we have seen his glory." The word "dwelt" literally means "tabernacled" — God’s visible presence now in a person.
And Revelation ends in the new Jerusalem with no temple, "for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb." Shekinah is the journey from tent, to temple, to Christ, to the new creation where his glory fills all.
Original BibleDawn answer · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.