Shekinah
שְׁכִינָה (shekhinah)
The dwelling presence of God — His visible glory among His people.
Shekhinah derives from shakan (to dwell) and describes God's manifest, glorious presence — the visible cloud and fire that filled the tabernacle and temple, signifying that God had come to live among His people.
"Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle." — Exodus 40:34 (KJV)
Key Verses
Exodus 40:34
“Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”Read in context
1 Kings 8:11
“So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.”Read in context
John 1:14
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”Read in context
Etymology and Origin
Shekhinah comes from the Hebrew verb shakan, meaning 'to dwell,' 'to settle,' or 'to tabernacle.' While the word shekhinah itself does not appear in Scripture, it is a rabbinic term describing the visible manifestation of God's presence — the glory cloud (kavod) that filled the tabernacle and later Solomon's temple.
Theological Significance
The Shekinah represents God's desire to be present with His people. It appeared as a pillar of cloud and fire in the wilderness, filled the tabernacle at its completion, and overwhelmed Solomon's temple at its dedication. When John writes that the Word 'dwelt' (eskēnōsen — literally 'tabernacled') among us, he declares that Jesus is the ultimate Shekinah — God's presence made flesh.
Practical Application
The Shekinah reminds believers that God is not distant but desires intimate presence with His people. In the New Covenant, the Spirit indwells believers individually (1 Corinthians 6:19) and corporately (1 Corinthians 3:16). Every believer is a walking temple of God's Shekinah presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shekinah glory?
The Shekinah glory is the visible manifestation of God's presence — the cloud and fire that filled the tabernacle and temple. The word comes from the Hebrew shakan, meaning 'to dwell.'
Is the word Shekinah in the Bible?
The word 'Shekinah' itself is not in the Bible — it is a rabbinic term. However, the concept it describes (God's dwelling presence and visible glory) is thoroughly biblical, appearing in Exodus, 1 Kings, Ezekiel, and John.
Why does the Hebrew word behind "Shekinah" matter?
Shekhinah comes from the Hebrew verb shakan, meaning 'to dwell,' 'to settle,' or 'to tabernacle.' While the word shekhinah itself does not appear in Scripture, it is a rabbinic term describing the visible manifestation of God's presence … English uses one word, "Shekinah", where the Hebrew שְׁכִינָה (shekhinah) carries the fuller sense: the dwelling presence of god — his visible glory among his people.
How do you pronounce שְׁכִינָה (shekhinah)?
שְׁכִינָה (shekhinah) is pronounced "sheh-khee-NAH." Scholarly traditions differ slightly, but this is the standard English rendering.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Shekinah (שְׁכִינָה (shekhinah))
The dwelling presence of God — His visible glory among His people.
Glory (כָּבוֹד (Kavod) / δόξα (Doxa))
The visible splendor, weight, and majesty of God's presence
Strong's G1391 — Glory
כָּבוֹד (Kavod) / δόξα (Doxa) • The visible splendor, weight, and majesty of God's presence
Strong's H3519 — Glory (Kabod)
כָּבוֹד (kabod) • Weightiness and splendor — the heavy, radiant, awe-inspiring presence of God.
Dwelling in the Presence of God — Bible Verses (KJV)
10 curated KJV verses
Exodus 25:8 Commentary
In-depth study • God's Dwelling
Where to go next
Studied the meaning of Shekinah? Continue with these word-study and Scripture pages.
- Bible word meanings A–ZHebrew and Greek words explained in plain English.Continue
- Go deeper with word studiesStrong's numbers, usage and every KJV occurrence.Continue
- Bible questions answered from ScriptureStraight KJV answers to common questions.Continue
- Read the KJV Bible online freeFull text, chapter by chapter.Continue