Shekinah Page 2 of 2
We find the first of this use of the word “dwell/shakan” being Genesis 9:27 shortly after the Flood. (This is actually the second time the word “dwell” is used in the Bible, but with the earlier use it is a different word, “yashab.” God is not the subject.)
Next we can relate this “presence” and “light” of God to many portions of the Bible. As examples we see in the Old Testament the presence and light of God in the burning bush, Exodus 3:4; the pillar of cloud and pillar of flame that lead the Israelites, Exodus 13:21; the shining glory of Moses under the veil, Exodus 34:33, to name a few.
In the New Testament, we find the light in the transfiguration, Matthew 17:2, the firelight of the cloven tongues, Acts 2:3, and the conversion of Paul, Acts 9:3.
All of these are the presence of God as exhibited by His light, the Shekinah or Shekinah Glory. This is the “light of God” without a cosmic body.
In Genesis 1:3, we find in Strong’s Concordance “light” to be the Hebrew word: “owr” (ore - 216); from OT:215; illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.):”.
The key word is “illumination” as found in the meaning of the Hebrew word here. But it is a “natural light” not a manufactured light such as the sun, moon and stars.
In Genesis 1:16, we find the word “light” is a different Hebrew word, (3974 - ma’owr (maw-ore’); or ma’or (maw-ore’)); also (in plural) feminine me’owrah (meh-o-raw’); or meorah (meh-o-raw’); from OT:215; properly, a luminous body or luminary, i.e. (abstractly) light (as an element): figuratively, brightness, i.e.cheerfulness; specifically, a chandelier:”
This is artificial light like that which you get when you flip the light switch on the wall. But these items, sun moon and stars, are still lights provided by God.
What we can say is both the Shekinah and the manufactured light are both from God.
The Shekinah light is the natural “light of God.” It illuminates the spiritual part of man and the world, but also the physical, cosmic world. We see this in such instances as light of which surrounded Paul’s first meeting with the Lord Jesus:
“Acts 9:3; And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:”
There is also a spiritual light such as Luke explained later:
“Acts 26:18; To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”
This spiritual light of the believer is internal and ever-present. It is the Holy Spirit of God that is given when one accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and saviour;
“John 8:12; Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
The first is an exterior light of God. The second is the interior light of God. Both are the luminous light of God, the Shekinah, Shekinah Glory and sometimes the Shekinah Light.
Whether we see these as a momentary presence or an extended presence, God did dwell with man for a time, as the Hebrew clerics suppose. In any case, the “dwelling” of God entailed an apparent shining or luminescence, the Shekinah or Shekinah Glory. It is ever present in the lives of believers, even when they turn the wrong way, 1st John 1:5-7.
God’s blessings, His light, the Shekinah, is missing in the lives of the unbelieving. They have the manufactured lights to help guide their way.
The light which the world as a whole experiences daily is the “ma-owr,” manufactured light which we observed previously above. During the day, it is like a “chandelier” which lights up an area. We call it the sun:
“Gen 1:16a; And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, . . .”.
It is a reminder of the world that once was before sin:
“Romans 5:12; Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”.
And for darkness of night, we have the “night lights,” those little 4 watt plug-ins which are especially necessary when we have over night guests. These are like the moon and stars,
“Genesis 16b; . . . and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
Yet, in the darkest of times, God is still there willing to give us back his internal, eternal light.
“John 8:12; Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world : he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
This light is that which we know as the Shekinah or Shekinah Glory.