God's glory

 

Several instances throughout Exodus (e.g., Ex 16:10; 34:5) have made clear that the visible manifestation of Yahweh’s presence often occurs as a cloud. Since the Israelites conceived of Yahweh as invisible, they needed a visible entity—​a reminder or symbol that could be seen by the human eye—​to reassure them that Yahweh was indeed present with them. That visible entity is often referred to in the OT as the “glory” (kabod) of Yahweh. Isa 40:5, e.g., states that it is the “glory of the LORD” that “all people will see.”

Once the construction and arrangement of the tabernacle in Exodus are complete, the glory of Yahweh, in the form of a cloud, fills the place that Moses cannot even enter it (Ex 40:35). 

It seems, therefore, to have been more than something that could merely be seen; it could be sensed in other ways. At one point in Exodus, the “glory” is called a “consuming fire” (24:17). The glory of Yahweh was reassuring and fear-inspiring all at the same time.

This is reminiscent of the Mesopotamian concept of melammu (“radiance, supernatural awe-inspiring sheen”)—​a quality that gods and goddesses possessed and one that they could bestow on humans, typically royalty, and take back again if they so desired. In fact, anything imbued with divine power and presence was believed to possess melammu. 

On the one hand, it was a blessing, for it was considered part of what gave legitimacy to a king and his rule; on the other hand, it was a terror that could overwhelm and decimate one who had become the enemy of the gods.

Yahweh’s glory was also dual in nature, bringing reassurance to some, a terror to others, and probably equal parts of both to most. 

This recalls Moses’ close encounter with Yahweh in Ex 33 when Moses asked to see Yahweh’s “glory” (33:18). 

When granted this request, Yahweh descends, stands before him, and proclaims his love, loyalty, and willingness to punish. Throughout the Exodus narrative, Moses has experienced both aspects of Yahweh’s presence—​the providential deliverance of the Israelites and yet an angry Yahweh threatening to annihilate his people. 

It is this glory, as both cloud and fire, that, as Exodus comes to a close, is always “in the sight of all the Israelites” (40:38), ever reminding them of God’s presence and their covenantal obligation to obey him.

In the New Testament, Christ as God, his glory was concealed but revealed for a moment on the Mount of transfiguration.

Keener, C. S., & Walton, J. H., eds. (2016). NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (p. 178). Zondervan.