A Deeper Look at Shekinah

The Meaning of Shekinah

The term 'Shekinah' encapsulates the biblical concept of God's visible presence dwelling among His people.

Derived from the Hebrew root *shakan* ('to dwell'), the term first appears implicitly in Exodus 25:8, where God instructs Moses: 'Let them make a sanctuary for me, that I may dwell among them.' This presence manifested tangibly as a cloud by day and fire by night (Exodus 40:34-38), symbolizing God's active guidance and covenantal commitment to Israel.

Theologically, Shekinah signifies God's intentional indwelling, which is not a physical phenomenon. In 1 Kings 8:10-11, the same cloud fills Solomon's temple, reaffirming God's abiding presence with His people - a theme foundational to understanding later biblical revelations of divine proximity.

Shekinah in the Tabernacle

Exodus 25:22 anchors the Shekinah as the locus of God’s covenantal communication within the Tabernacle’s holiest space.

In Exodus 25:22, God declares to Moses, “I will meet with you there, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you.” This verse situates the Shekinah as the divine throne above the mercy seat, framing it as the sacred space where God’s voice transcends the physical realm to guide Israel. The imagery of the cherubim and the ark underscores the theological tension between God’s transcendence and His covenantal accessibility. By specifying this location, the text emphasizes that worship and revelation are bound to the Tabernacle’s ritual structure, reinforcing Israel’s dependence on God’s ordained means of communion.

This spatial theology shaped Israel’s understanding of Shekinah as both intimate and authoritative, requiring ritual purity to approach. The Tabernacle’s design thus became a microcosm of God’s presence among His people, blending holiness with relational availability.

The continuity of Shekinah in the Tabernacle set a template for Israel’s worship architecture, later mirrored in Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 8:10-11). Its legacy extends to New Testament reflections on Christ as the ultimate embodiment of God’s dwelling, though that development lies beyond the immediate scope of Exodus 25:22’s covenantal framework.

Shekinah in the Prophetic Writings

In the prophetic writings, the Shekinah emerges as a dynamic symbol of God’s presence, judgment, and hope for restoration, particularly evident in Ezekiel’s vivid visions.

Ezekiel 1:4-28 describes the Shekinah glory as a resplendent throne-chariot, with divine figures (cherubim) and rotating wheels, embodying God’s sovereign power and holiness. In Ezekiel 10:18-19, the Shekinah departs from the temple before its destruction, signifying divine judgment against Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness. Yet Ezekiel 43:4-5 later portrays the Shekinah returning to the restored temple, affirming God’s enduring commitment to dwell with His people despite their failures.

This duality reveals God’s character as both righteous and merciful: the Shekinah’s departure underscores the seriousness of sin, while its return anticipates future redemption. The prophets thus frame Shekinah as a living testament to God’s active engagement with history, balancing His transcendence with His redemptive purposes.

Putting 'Shekinah' into Practice

The concept of Shekinah challenges modern believers to approach worship and prayer with reverence, recognizing that God's presence is both intimate and transcendent.

Believers today often seek God's presence through prayer, worship, and Scripture, trusting that the Holy Spirit, as the continuing manifestation of divine indwelling, guides and transforms them (John 14:16-17). While the physical temple no longer exists, many find Shekinah in communal worship, where the gathered church becomes a living temple (1 Corinthians 3:16). Personal encounters with God, though subjective, are seen as moments where the veil between the divine and human grows thin, inviting a response of faith and obedience. Cultivating a lifestyle of attentiveness to God's voice, much like the Israelites at the Tabernacle, helps believers navigate life with the awareness that they are continually under His Shekinah gaze.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding, explore how the New Testament transforms the concept of Shekinah through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in believers.

Where the Old Testament associated God’s presence with temples (1 Corinthians 3:16), the New Testament emphasizes the Spirit’s residence within individual hearts (John 14:16-17), reflecting a shift from physical to spiritual dwelling.