What Is the Glory of God? The Meaning of Glory in Scripture

We Christians talk a lot about God’s glory. We sing worship songs about it, and we desire to give the Lord all the honor and glory in our lives (Pss 86:12; 115:1; 1 Cor 10:31). But what does the word “glory” actually mean? How does Scripture define it, and what does the Bible mean when it speaks of the glory of God?

Glory is a major biblical theme. Scripture brims with its language and imagery. As a result, the portrayal of God’s glory in the Bible is rich, multifaceted, and varied.¹ And the glory of the Lord appears at significant moments in the biblical narrative and in Israel’s history.

Although glory is a theme throughout the Bible, most OT texts about God’s glory appear in the Pentateuch, Psalms, Isaiah, and Ezekiel. In the New Testament, the theme of glory occurs most frequently in John, Romans, 2 Corinthians, 1 Peter, and Revelation.

In this essay, we will examine the meaning of the key biblical terms for glory. We will then trace the theme of God’s glory in the grand narrative of Scripture by looking at some examples. As we consider this glorious topic, I invite everyone to pray Moses’s prayer, “Please show me your glory” (Exod 33:18).²

What are the Bible’s key words for glory?

A quick survey of the key terms for glory demonstrates that the word has many nuances. Its specific meaning depends on the context of the passage in which it appears, as well as its historical, cultural, and canonical contexts.

The Hebrew term כָּבוֹד

In the Old Testament, the most important Hebrew term for glory is כָּבוֹד (transliterated kābôd; pronounced kavod), which occurs about 200 times. Roughly half of these refer to God’s glory. The possible nuances of the noun כָּבוֹד include weight or weightiness, substance, status, gravitas, prestige, reputation, authority, honor, and glory. The verb derived from the same Hebrew root כבד often means to honor or glorify (e.g., Ps 86:9, 12).

Explore the meaning of כָּבוֹד (“glory”) with Logos’s Bible Word Study. Try it for free!

The adjective כָּבֵד conveys this sense of weight when it describes Eli the priest as “old and heavy” (1 Sam 4:18; cf. 2 Sam 14:26; Exod 17:12). כָּבוֹד can also express abundance, describing Jacob’s wealth (Gen 31:1) and Joseph’s splendor (Gen 45:13). It can describe something beautiful and impressive, such as the majestic trees of Lebanon (Isa 35:2; 60:13) or the grandeur of a king or kingdom (Isa 8:7). It can refer to an important person of significant status, reputation, and authority, one who deserves honor and respect, such as the Prophet Samuel (1 Sam 9:6). Of course, this nuance is most often applied to the Lord, because YHWH is the true God and the king of glory (Ps 24:7–10). He deserves all the honor, glory, and praise (Pss 29:1–2; 115:1).³

The Greek term δόξα

The most common Greek noun for glory is δόξα (doxa), occurring more than 160 times in the New Testament. Interestingly, the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, adopted the nuances of the Hebrew term כָּבוֹד for δόξα instead of retaining the secular meaning of “opinion” from classical Greek. The NT writers followed the Septuagint in this shift in meaning. In the NT, the nuances of doxa are honor, prestige, reputation, glory, and visible splendor.⁴ The verb δοξάζω means to honor, glorify, boast, magnify, or praise.

Consider the following examples:

• To seek honor, glory, fame, or praise from others (John 5:41, 44; 7:18; 1 Thess 2:6)
• The glory and splendor of human kingdoms and kings (Matt 4:8; 6:29; Luke 12:27)
• Glory as shining light or visible radiance or splendor (Luke 2:9; 9:31; Acts 22:11; Rev 18:1)

Most references in the NT refer to God’s glory or Christ’s glory or to giving glory and honor to God the Father or to the Son:

• God’s glory: the glory of God (John 11:40; Acts 7:55; Rom 1:23), the God of glory (Acts 7:2), the Father of glory (Eph 1:17), the majestic glory (2 Pet 1:17)
• Christ’s glory (John 17:24; 2 Cor 4:4; Col 1:27)
• Glorifying God (Matt 15:31; Luke 5:25–26; 17:18; Acts 11:18; 1 Cor 6:20; 1 Pet 4:16; Rev 4:9, 11)
• Glorifying the Son (John 8:54; 13:31; 16:13–14)
• Doxologies speaking of giving glory, honor, and praise to God (Rom 11:36; Eph 3:21; 1 Tim 1:17; 2 Pet 3:18; Jude 25)⁵

The NT presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate revelation of God’s glory (John 1:14; 2 Cor 4:6; Heb 1:3).

How does the Bible portray God’s glory?

Beyond its key terms, the Bible conveys glory through imagery, metaphors, and related concepts. God’s glory is related to the Bible’s concepts and themes, such as divine presence, theophany, holiness, worship, divine kingship, and YHWH’s name, character, and reputation.⁶

For example, God’s glory is regularly associated with the image of YHWH as the divine king who sits enthroned in royal splendor. The Lord is the king of glory (Pss 24:7–10; 93:1–2; Isa 6:1, 5) who reigns over a kingdom of glorious splendor (Ps 145:11–13). Psalm 24:7–10 portrays YHWH as both the glorious king and the divine warrior. “Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory” (Ps 24:10 NRSV).

Scripture also compares God’s glory to the brilliant light of the sun, radiant brightness, flashes of lightning, and flames of fire (Exod 24:17; Isa 58:8; 60:1–3, 19–20; Ezek 1:4, 27–28; Hab 3:3–4). “Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you” (Isa 60:1 NRSV).

How is God’s glory revealed across Scripture’s grand narrative?

God’s glory is a major theme in the Bible, appearing at significant moments in the biblical narrative and in Israel’s history.

1. Creation

God reveals his glory through his creation. Although God’s glory is not explicitly mentioned in Genesis 1–2, we know from other Scriptures that creation itself manifests and displays God’s glory.⁷ “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Ps 19:1; cf. Ps 8:1; Isa 6:3; Rom 1:20). By virtue of its very existence, the universe displays God’s glory by serving as a constant witness to the splendor and majesty of its Creator.⁸

When God created humankind in his image (Gen 1:26–28), “[he] crowned them with glory and honor” (Ps 8:5 NRSV) to serve as his royal representatives and stewards over his creation (Ps 8:5–8). As God’s image-bearers, we are created for his glory and are to reflect God’s glory (Isa 43:7; 49:3; 60:1–3; 62:1–3). We are called to glorify God through our lives (Ps 115:1; cf. 1 Cor 6:20; 10:31).

2. The exodus

The glory of the Lord plays a significant role in Israel’s exodus from Egypt, appearing to Moses and the Israelites several times during their journey through the wilderness.

God’s presence

Sometimes Scripture describes God’s glory as physical, concrete, and visible to emphasize his presence. In these cases, we may refer to God’s glory as God’s manifest presence, meaning his divine presence is revealed and experienced in a real and tangible way.

Take, for example, the pillar of cloud and fire that accompanied the Israelites from Egypt to the promised land (Exod 13:21–22; 40:36–38). “To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain” (Exod 24:17 NIV; cf. Deut 5:22–27). Likewise, the fiery cloud on Mount Sinai signified the presence of the Lord and served as one of the visible signs of God’s glory.

God’s salvation

God’s glory is revealed through his mighty deeds in salvation history, particularly in his powerful and miraculous acts of redemption, protection, and provision.

• God is glorified when he rescues his people from Egypt (Exod 14:4, 17, 18).
• God’s presence in the pillar of cloud and fire protects his people from the Egyptian army (Exod 13:21–22; 14:19–20, 24–25).
• God’s glory is revealed when he graciously provides food for his people in the wilderness (Exod 16:6–10).

God’s judgment

At times, divine glory appears when YHWH is about to mete out divine judgment (Lev 10:1–3; Num 14:10; 16:19; Ezek 8–11). This is because YHWH is a holy God and he expects holiness and covenant faithfulness from his people. The Lord calls his people to be holy as he is holy (Lev 19:2). In these moments, the appearance of God’s glory can be terrifying because it signals that judgment is imminent.

In a vision, the Prophet Ezekiel sees the glory of YHWH depart from the temple because of the abominations, idolatry, and sin committed there (Ezek 8–11). This is an ominous sign of impending judgment. The departure of God’s glory signifies the removal of divine protection over Jerusalem before the city falls to the Babylonians.

God’s sanctuary

God’s glory filled the tabernacle at Mount Sinai (Exod 40:34–35) and later Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem (1 Kgs 8:10–13; 2 Chr 5:13–14; 7:1–3). The glory-cloud filling the sanctuary became a visible sign of God’s presence with his people, as he had promised (Exod 29:45–46). Because of the Lord’s presence in the tabernacle, God’s glory was often revealed and experienced in the sanctuary and in the context of worship (Lev 9:22–24; Pss 26:8; 63:2).

3. God’s nature and character

When Moses prayed, “Please show me your glory” on Mount Sinai (Exod 33:18), he and the Israelites had already experienced God’s glory many times. But on this occasion, Moses needed reassurance of God’s continuing presence with them after the Israelites had sinned by worshiping the golden calf (Exod 32; cf. Ps 106:19–21; Rom 1:23). In this troubling context, YHWH’s response to Moses’s request was profound, demonstrating the Lord’s amazing love and grace (Exod 33:18–23; 34:5–7).

And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” (Exod 33:19 NIV)

The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name, “The LORD.” The LORD passed before him, and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, yet by no means clearing the guilty, but visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” (Exod 34:5–7 NRSV)

YHWH answered Moses’s request to experience God’s glory by proclaiming his divine name and his divine attributes. God’s glory is revealed in his divine character qualities of goodness, grace, mercy, compassion, patience, steadfast love, faithfulness, forgiveness, and justice. YHWH’s glory is manifest in who God is, in his very nature and character.⁹

4. The life and ministry of Jesus Christ

The NT tells us that ultimately the glory of God is revealed in Jesus Christ (John 1:14; 2 Cor 4:6; Heb 1:1–3).

Christ’s incarnation

God’s glory was made visible in Christ’s incarnation when “the Word became flesh.” Just as God’s glory filled and dwelt in the tabernacle and temple, Jesus “tabernacled” among us (John 1:14). Notice that Jesus is described here as “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14), the divine character qualities of God. This description alludes to “abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exod 34:6), the words YHWH used when he proclaimed his name to Moses (Exod 34:5–7). Jesus revealed God’s glory by living out the divine character qualities of YHWH in his ministry on earth.¹⁰

Christ’s birth

When Jesus was born, the shepherds experienced God’s glory as a brilliant light shining all around them: “And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear” (Luke 2:9). They heard the angels praising the Lord, proclaiming: “Glory to God in the highest heaven” (Luke 2:14 NRSV). The shepherds, in turn, responded by “glorifying and praising God” after seeing Jesus (Luke 2:20).

Christ’s transfiguration

When Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John on a high mountain (Matt 17:1–8; Mark 9:2–8; Luke 9:28–32), the disciples saw both Moses and Elijah appear “in glory,” and they saw Christ’s “glory” (Luke 9:31–32). Luke is the only Gospel writer who adopts the term “glory” to describe what they experienced on the mountain. The disciples caught a glimpse of Christ’s glory when he was suddenly transfigured before them: “his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white” (Matt 17:2 NRSV). Here Christ’s glory is compared to the brilliant light of the sun.

Christ’s miracles

Jesus’s many miracles and healings manifested God’s glory. From Jesus turning water into wine to raising Lazarus from the dead, each miracle and sign “manifested his glory” (John 2:11; 11:4, 40). Speaking of Lazarus, Jesus said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4). Every healing and miracle Jesus performed revealed God’s glory and, in turn, brought glory to the Lord.

Christ’s death

God’s glory was revealed on the cross when Christ was crucified. When Jesus died on the cross, both the Father and the Son were glorified (John 12:23–24, 27–28; Heb 2:9). When Jesus was about to go to the cross to be crucified, he said, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John 12:23 NRSV). Although Jesus’s soul was troubled, he prayed that the Father’s name would be glorified (John 12:27–28).

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In an honor-shame culture, where being crucified as a criminal was an utterly shameful thing, it is ironic and yet profound that Christ’s death on the cross is seen as his exaltation and glorification (1 Cor 1:18, 23). Richard Bauckham puts it this way: “The point of Jesus’s deepest humiliation is, paradoxically, also his glorification.”¹¹ Donnie Berry also explains how profoundly significant this is:

At the cross, Jesus’ glory and the glory of his Father will be on full display. There we see glory full of grace and truth, mercy and justice. In his humiliation and shame, the Son of God shines with the glory of his Father’s compassionate, merciful, saving, forgiving, self-giving love, with the glory of his justice, righteous indignation, and determination to overcome all that stands against his goodness and love in the world.¹²

5. The church

As the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle and temple, now God fills the church and the Christian believer with his Holy Spirit. Our bodies are the holy temple of God’s presence (Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 3:16–17; 6:19–20; Eph 2:19–22; Col 1:27). Therefore, we need to honor the Lord in how we live our lives for his glory (1 Cor 6:20; 10:31; 1 Pet 1:15–16).

God’s people becoming like Christ

In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul describes Moses’s encounter with God’s glory on Mount Sinai and the impact it had on his face.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Cor 3:18)

Moses’s face shone with God’s glory. But now, when believers turn to the Lord, they experience God’s glory in Jesus Christ. As we behold the glory of the Lord in Jesus, we are transformed into his image, becoming like Christ with the help of the Spirit. As we grow and become more like Jesus, we take on his character qualities and the fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Gal 5:22–23). God’s glory, revealed in Christ, transforms his people into Christ’s likeness.

6. The new creation

The biblical theme of God’s glory culminates with Christ’s return, when God will establish the new creation, the new heaven and earth.

The second coming

One day, Jesus Christ will return to reign as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:16), and when he does, he will come in glory: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne” (Matt 25:31; see also Matt 16:27; 24:30; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26; 21:27).

When Christ returns, the church will also appear with Christ in glory: “When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Col 3:4). At that time, believers will be changed (1 Cor 15:42–43, 51–52). When Christ returns, “we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2 NIV).

This is our future hope! Having this hope sustains us in the present, helping us endure times of trouble, suffering, and persecution (Rom 5:2–5; 8:17–25; 2 Cor 4:16–18; 1 Pet 5:10). We can “rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom 5:2). “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Rom 8:18).

When that day comes, what a glorious day that will be!

Universal revelation

At that time, God will also reveal his glory to the whole world. This is central to the Bible’s eschatological hope. The OT prophets prophesied about a day when the Lord will manifest his glory and presence to everyone, and all the nations will come and see and experience God’s glory:

• “And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken” (Isa 40:5; see also Isa 35:2).
• All the nations “shall come and see my glory” (Isa 66:18).
• “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Hab 2:14 NIV).

As I have written elsewhere:

One day the whole world will recognize and acknowledge the glory and presence of YHWH, and this knowledge will be universal. The verb “to fill” and the expression “as the waters cover the sea” both emphasize its universal reach. Everyone will know the Lord (Jer 31:34)!¹³

What a wonderful future hope!

The new Jerusalem

When the Lord establishes the new heaven and earth and the new Jerusalem, the holy city will shine with the glory of God (Rev 21:1–4, 10–11, 22–27; 22:1–5). In that day, there will be no more need for the sun or moon, because the glory of the Lord will be the source of light forever (Isa 60:19–20; Rev 21:23; 22:5). In God’s new and holy city, his glory will shine.

Conclusion

As we have seen, the glory of the Lord is a major theme in Scripture. The portrayal of God’s glory in the Bible is rich and profound.

This brief survey only begins to explore this hugely significant and marvelous topic, but I hope it inspires you to go further.

As we do, may we too humbly pray the prayer of Moses, “Please show me your glory” (Exod 33:18), and as we behold and contemplate God’s glory, may we be transformed into Christ’s likeness (2 Cor 3:18). May we become more like Jesus!

Rebecca G. S. Idestrom’s recommended resources for further study

• de Vries, Pieter. The Kābôd of YHWH in the Old Testament: With Particular Reference to the Book of Ezekiel. Studia Semitica Neerlandica 65. Brill, 2016.

Related content

• What the Transfiguration Teaches Us About Jesus: 3 Important Truths
• Words of Glory: The Meaning & History of the Doxology
• Holiness: A Short Guide to a Complicated Doctrine
• Heaven Invades Earth: Understanding the Symbolism & Purpose of the Tabernacle
• Jerusalem to New Jerusalem: Tracing God’s Holy City Across Scripture

1. Rebecca G. S. Idestrom, Show Me Your Glory: The Glory of God in the Old Testament (Pickwick, 2023), 5, 18, 278–79. This was one of the important findings from my study of God’s glory in the Old Testament.
2. Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible passages are quoted from the ESV.
3. Idestrom, Show Me Your Glory, 10–11.
4. Richard Bauckham, Gospel of Glory: Major Themes in Johannine Theology (Baker Academic, 2015), 44–45.
5. S. Aalen, “Glory, Honour,” in The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, vol. 2, ed. Colin Brown (Zondervan, 1976), 44–48.
6. Idestrom, Show Me Your Glory, 16.
7. See Donnie Berry, The Earth Will Be Filled: A Biblical Theology of the Glory of God (InterVarsity Academic, 2025), 14–15.
8. Idestrom, Show Me Your Glory, 12.
9. Idestrom, Show Me Your Glory, 40–47.
10. Bauckham, Gospel of Glory, 50–52.
11. Bauckham, Gospel of Glory, 54.
12. Berry, Earth Will Be Filled, 113.
13. Idestrom, Show Me Your Glory, 254–55.