KAVOD - GLORY

Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

Exodus 33: 18 (NIV)

(1)

INTRODUCTION

We all strive for glory. The Hebrew word for glory is kavod. Biblically it usually indicates worth and value, and results in praise. It can also mean glory, honor, respect, distinction, and importance.

The word kavod (honor) stems from the Hebrew root kaf. vet. daled (K.V.D.), meaning “heavy,” “weighty,” or “significant.” By giving someone kavod (honor) we are through our actions acknowledging and saying that they are significant and deserving of recognition and good treatment.

In many cases, the word is used in connection to God and our reverential worship of Him in response to encountering His majesty and power.

KAVOD - MEANING

Glory is often connected to the concepts of fame and beauty. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word glory can denote several things:

a) praise, honor, or distinction extended by common consent : renown

b) worshipful praise, honor, and thanksgiving

a) something that secures praise or renown (the glory of a brilliant career)

b) a distinguished quality or asset (the city's glory is its Gothic cathedral)

a) a state of great gratification or exaltation

b) a height of prosperity or achievement (ancient Rome in its glory)

1. great beauty and splendor: magnificence

2. something marked by beauty or resplendence (ex. a perfect glory of a day)

b) the splendor and beatific happiness of heaven

a ring or spot of light

a) aureole

b) a halo appearing around the shadow of an object (2)

The Hebrew word for glory is kavod and it also carries different meanings. Contrary to the worldly view though, biblically it usually indicates worth and value, and results in praise. It can also mean glory, honor, respect, distinction, and importance. (3)

Glory in Hebrew should be seen as abounding in honor and reverence, almost to a degree that it is terrifying (3).

KAVOD - ETYMOLOGY

The word kavod (honor) stems from the Hebrew root kaf. vet. daled (K.V.D.), meaning “heavy,” “weighty,” or “significant.” (4)

By giving someone kavod (honor) we are through our actions acknowledging and saying that they are significant and deserving of recognition and good treatment. (4)

THE GLORY OF GOD

In many cases, the word is used in connection to God and our reverential worship of Him in response to encountering His majesty and power. He is after all worthy of the highest of praises.

Kavod points to God’s worth, reputation, honor, and authority as the Supreme God of Israel. From its meaning “heavy”, it can point to God’s presence in the Temple. That Presence can be seen, visible, but most often sensed. So according to scripture Kavod ca be seen or unseen. (3)

THE DEMONSTRATION OF GOD’S PRESENCE

In the Tanakh kavod typically describes God’s beautiful and brilliant creation as well as His own appearances on earth, which we know as theophanies. (3)

Many times He proved His own power in the forms of thunder, lightning, and dark clouds. (Exodus 20:18–19) and His brilliant, radiant light (Shekhinah)

Today, God shows his glory and power through the works of His faithful disciples as He did through a plethora of Israel’s kings, prophets, priests, and craftsmen. In us, the Holy Spirit resides. It guides us, counsels us, and gives us supernatural gifts that empower us to serve Him. (5)

We also display His glory by showing Divine love, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding as we teach, parent, or mentor others. (5)

FROM GLORY TO GLORY

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we are transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). We go from one degree of kavod to the next as we grow closer to God in obedience. (3)

YESHUA - THE RADIANCE OF GOD’S GLORY

Yeshua (Jesus) was the “radiance of God’s Glory and the exact representation of His being.” (Hebrews 1:3) He is the image of the invisible God. (Colossians 1:15). (5)

Jewish sages often call the glory of God his Mamre, Word. Yeshua is the word of God. He alone has seen God according to John 1: 18. He is God. (5)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1: 1 (NIV)

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

John 1: 18 (NIV)

IN MODERN HEBREW

In Israel today kavod is used as a title to address judges, the president, or the prime minister of Israel. It is a title meaning, Your Honour or Your Excellency. (3)

Also there is the expression Kol HaKavod that is generally translated into Congratulations! or Good Job! but literally means “All the Glory!”. It is a common phrase similar to “well done” or “way to go”. (3)

CONCLUSION

The Hebrew word Kavod for glory is kavod and it also carries different meanings. Contrary to the worldly view though, biblically it usually indicates worth and value, and results in praise. In many cases, the word is used in connection to God and our reverential worship of Him in response to encountering His majesty and power.

Yeshua (Jesus) was the “radiance of God’s Glory and the exact representation of His being.” (Hebrews 1:3) He is the image of the invisible God. (Colossians 1:15).

Applications

Throughout the week lt God's glory shine through us through at least one action of devotion. Let the Lord speak to us how.

SOURCES

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Meriam-Webster Dictionary. Glory. Available at https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glory
Avital Snow. The Weight of Glory and the Hebrew Word Kavod. July 24th 2022. Available at https://firmisrael.org/learn/the-weight-of-glory-and-the-hebrew-word-kavod/
David Jaffe. Changing the World from the Inside Out in Omer Reflection Guide (Week 3). Available at https://images.shulcloud.com/1203/uploads/Holiday-Celebrations/Omer/3_Week--OmerReflectionGuideWeek3.pdfThe
Messianic Prophecy Bible Project. God’s Glory (Kavod) Is in Your Reach. Available at https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/gods-glory-kavod-is-in-your-reach/

In His Perfect Image

Created in the Image of God