Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

GLORY

That aspect of a person or God worthy of praise, honor, or respect; often associated with brightness or splendor in theophanies. Used of people or creation, glory is that characteristic which people typically honor: wisdom (Prov. 25:2), might (2 Kgs. 14:10), wealth (Esth. 1:4; Matt. 6:29 par.). It can refer to a quality of land (Isa. 35:2) or of people: age (Prov. 16:31), strength (20:29), or outward appearance (Isa. 53:2).

Several Hebrew words are translated “glory,” most commonly kāḇôḏ, “heavy, weighty, burdensome” (cf. Isa. 22:24). Related terms are hāḏār (e.g., the splendor of God’s work, Ps. 90:16) and hôḏ, God’s sovereignty over all things (Ps. 148:13), more often translated “honor.” The LXX translates with Gk. dóxa, unifying glory with its manifestations and encompassing the greatness and majesty of God. The NT inherited this complex of meanings, also using dóxa in the classical Greek sense of “reputation” (cf. Luke 14:10), in the Hebrew sense of “weighty” (2 Cor. 4:17), and for the Shekinah, God’s tabernacling presence (1 Pet. 4:14).

Old Testament

The Pentateuch associates God’s glory (i.e., his aura, the sheer magnificence of God’s presence) with theophanies, acts of salvation, and judgment. The glory is a devouring fire, shrouded with clouds on Mt. Sinai (Exod. 24:16-17). In clouds and fire God’s glory accompanied Israel through the wilderness (cf. Exod. 13:21), filled the tabernacle (40:34-38) and the temple (cf. 1 Kgs. 8:10-11; 2 Chr. 7:1-3), and sanctified the beginning of the cultic service (Lev. 9:23). God shrouded his glory from Israel, but gave Moses a glimpse of its brilliance (Exod. 33:18-23). God displays his glory in salvation: in victory over Pharaoh at the Red Sea (Exod. 14:4) and by providing manna in the wilderness (16:7). When the people rebel, glory also accompanies judgment (Num. 16:42-50).

In the Prophets God’s glory is again encountered in theophany (Isa. 6:3; Ezek. 43:2-5) and is declared in judgment on rebellious Israel (Isa. 2:10; Ezek. 10:18) and the nations (Isa. 10:16). In contrast to human glory, God maintains an unshakable covenant with his faithful remnant (Isa. 42:8), promising salvation (40:5; 46:13) and protection (58:5-8). Ezekiel consoles the exiles with the promise of the return of God’s glory to a restored temple (Ezek. 44:4-8).

In the Psalms God’s glory rests in his mighty works manifest in creation (e.g., Pss. 19, 29, 97, 104). Israel worships God for his mighty works of salvation in history (Ps. 66; 105; 145:4-12). God is the victorious king of glory (Ps. 24:7-12), whose presence now rests on Zion (26:8; 63:2[MT 3]).

The OT also proclaims the eschatological hope that the whole earth “shall be filled with the glory of the Lord” (Num. 14:21), when all nations shall bless the Lord (Ps. 66:2-4; 138:4-5). The messianic kingdom will dawn when the nations know the Messiah’s glory and peace (Isa. 60:1-3; cf. 11:6-9; Hab. 2:14).

New Testament

As in the OT, glory is an essential attribute of God, “the Father of glory” (Eph. 1:17), whose radiance is displayed at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:9) and is part of eschatological hope (Rom. 5:2). In return, people are to glorify God (Acts 12:23; 1 Cor. 10:31).

The understanding of glory is here expanded to include that of Christ as well. Just as in the OT glory referred to salvation, so in the NT it is revealed in the Messiah’s work of deliverance. In the Synoptic Gospels Christ shares in glory at the Parousia, when he comes with vindication and judgment (Matt. 16:27; Mark 8:38). Christ possesses his own glory through his death and resurrection (Luke 24:26). In the Transfiguration account (Luke 9:28-36 par.) Jesus’ glory is experienced as theophany.

John presents Jesus as the revelation of God’s glory (John 1:14), preexistent in Christ (17:24). His works are signs of the glory of God (John 2:11), inviting belief (11:4, 40). The Cross is the culminating sign, the hour of Christ’s glorification (John 12:23; 13:31-32; cf. Rev. 5:12-13). God continues to glorify Christ through the work of the Spirit (John 16:14).

Participation in the glory of the resurrected Christ is a participation in the glory of God (Rom. 5:2; 2 Cor. 3:7-18). Through the Spirit the Church lets the glory of God in Christ shine through its life (2 Cor. 3:18; 4:6). Believers are the image and glory of God (1 Cor. 11:7), giving glory by leading lives worthy of the gospel (10:31; 1 Thess. 2:12), through obedience (2 Cor. 9:13), purity (1 Cor. 6:20), good deeds (1 Pet. 2:12), and willingness to suffer for Christ (Rom. 8:17-18; 1 Pet. 4:13-16). They may look forward to sharing in God’s glory, living in his presence in new bodies, in a new heaven and earth (1 Cor. 15:43; Rev. 21:22-26).

Bibliography. I. Abrahams, The Glory of God (1925, repr. New York, 1973); H. U. von Balthasar, The Glory of the Lord: A Theological Aesthetics, 7 vols. (San Francisco, 1983-91); G. von Rad and G. Kittel, “dokéō, dóxa,” TDNT 2:232-55.

Darrell D. Gwaltney, Jr./Ralph W. Vunderink

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

GLORY

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)