What Is the Glory of God? How Scripture Uses the Word “Glory”

The post opens by noting how often Christians speak of God’s glory, in worship songs and in the desire to honor the Lord in every part of life, and then asks a basic question: what does the word “glory” actually mean in Scripture? The author describes glory as a major biblical theme, with rich and varied imagery that appears at key moments in the biblical story and in Israel’s history. The post invites readers to pray Moses’s request to see God’s glory.

Next, the author surveys the main biblical terms. In the Old Testament, the central Hebrew word is kavod, which carries nuances such as weight, status, honor, and authority, and is most often applied to the Lord, who alone deserves all honor and praise. The post explains that the Greek word doxa, which the New Testament uses frequently, took on the Hebrew sense of honor and visible splendor when the Septuagint was translated, and that the New Testament writers followed this shift. The post also says the New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation of God’s glory.

The author also shows that Scripture conveys glory through imagery and related themes such as God’s presence, holiness, worship, and kingship. God is pictured as an enthroned king and warrior, and his glory is compared to sunlight, lightning, and fire. The post explains that creation itself displays God’s glory, and that people, made in God’s image, are called to reflect that glory and honor God with their lives.

Finally, the post traces glory through the story of Israel. It describes the visible presence of God during the exodus, such as the cloud and fire, and notes that God’s glory is revealed through his acts of salvation, protection, and provision. It also says that glory sometimes appears when judgment is near, since God is holy and expects holiness and faithfulness from his people, making that appearance a serious and even frightening sign.

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