What is the Shechinah?

Question

Any great insights on this mysterious term in the Hebrew OT, but not translated into English?

Answer 1

Jehovah, the loving Father and Protector of his people, made his presence distinctly felt in Israel. One way he accomplished that was through a resplendent cloud that was intimately related to his place of worship.

That striking light represented Jehovah’s invisible presence. It appeared in the Most Holy both of the tabernacle and of the temple that Solomon built. That miraculous light did not signify that Jehovah was physically present there. God cannot be confined in any building made by humans. (2 Chronicles 6:18; Acts 17:24) This supernatural effulgence in God’s sanctuary could give confidence to the high priest and through him to all the Israelites that Jehovah’s protective presence attended to them and their needs.

In postbiblical Aramaic, this light was called Shechinah (shekhi·nah′), a word meaning “that which dwells” or “the dwelling.” This term does not occur in the Bible but is found in Aramaic translations of the Hebrew Scriptures, also known as the Targums.

Answer 2

Shechinah....is a Chaldee word meaning resting-place, not found in Scripture, but used by the later Jews to designate the visible symbol of God's presence in the tabernacle, and afterwards in Solomon's temple. When the Lord led Israel out of Egypt, he went before them "in a pillar of a cloud." This was the symbol of his presence with his people. For references made to it during the wilderness wanderings, see Exodus 14:20; 40:34-38; Leviticus 9:23, 24; Numbers 14:10; 16:19, 42.

It is probable that after the entrance into Canaan this glory-cloud settled in the tabernacle upon the ark of the covenant in the most holy place. We have, however, no special reference to it till the consecration of the temple by Solomon, when it filled the whole house with its glory, so that the priests could not stand to minister (1Kings 8:10-13; 2Chronicles 5:13,14; 7:1-3). Probably it remained in the first temple in the holy of holies as the symbol of Almighty God's presence so long as that temple stood. It afterwards disappeared.

Answer 3

Shechinah is derived from the Hebrew verb שכן. In Biblical Hebrew the word means literally to settle, inhabit, or dwell, and is used frequently in the Hebrew Bible. (See Exodus 40:35 - "Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting, for the cloud rested [shakhan] upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle." See also e.g. Genesis 9:27, 14:13, Psalms 37:3, Jeremiah 33:16), as well as the weekly Shabbat blessing recited in the Temple in Jerusalem ("May He who causes His name to dwell [shochan] in this House, cause to dwell among you love and brotherliness, peace and friendship"). In Mishnaic Hebrew the word is often used to refer to bird's nesting and nests. ("Every bird nests [shechinot] with its kind, and man with its like, Talmud Baba Kammah 92b.) and can also mean "neighbor" ("If a neighbor and a scholar, the scholar is preferred" Talmud Ketubot 85b). The word "Shechinah" also means "royalty" or "royal residence" (The Greek word σκήνη - dwelling - is thought to be derived from שכינה and שכן.[citation needed]) The word for Tabernacle, mishcan, is a derivative of the same root and is also used in the sense of dwelling-place in the Bible, e.g. Psalm 132:5 ("Before I find a place for God, mishcanot (dwelling-places) for the Strong One of Israel.") Accordingly, in classic Jewish thought, the Shekhina refers to a dwelling or settling in a special sense, a dwelling or settling of divine presence, to the effect that, while in proximity to the Shekhinah, the connection to God is more readily perceivable.

According to Professor Kern, Shekinah means "the presence of God."[c

Answer 4

The "Ark of the Covenant" was used as a receptacle for sacred articles. It had a cover surmounted by two golden cherubs which had wings spread out to cover the mercy seat / propitiatory. When this ark was placed in the Most Holy of the tabernacle or temple, a miraculous light (the Shekinah light) appeared above the wings of the cherubs. (Exodus 25:10-22; 2 Kings 19:15)
In this way Jehovah God was represented as throning above the cherubs, and dispensing instructions from there. Moses writes about his own experience in this regard: “Now whenever Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with [JehovahGod], then he would hear the voice [of God] conversing with him from above the cover that was upon the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubs; and he would speak to him.” --Numbers 7:89.

Answer 5

Interesting that the first eight responding are basically in agreement and actually have something to add about the Shechinah glory!

The old Christian hymn notes it
in versus two and even four as a
beautiful light in the night.

Redmemed and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.

Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed, by the blood of the Lamb;
redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.

I know I shall see in His beauty
The King in whose law I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth my songs in the night.

I was blessed early in life to see the Shechinah on the faces of several men. As with Moses; the light of Jesus Christ should be on every face that claims his presence.

We are even commanded to let our portion of that light shine. Referring to the Shechinah; John noted in Chapter 1:4,5 that in Jesus was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Among some, and I trust soon more, I see it again. Not an insight, but the visible shine of his glory on the faces of those who have become his dwelling.

Shechinah on us is moonlight. The reflected light of his presence dwelling in us. The question is: Do you show it and can you really see it on others? Your sight in part is a measure of whether you are "walking in the light." As the world grows darker it will be easier to see.

Answer 6

The Glory of God-usually manifested with a light. It does not refer to man's glory, the only man who ever had the shechinah around him was Moses when He came down the mountain after talking to God for several days.

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Answer 7

Gods presence on this earth?

Answer 8

Either feminine holy spirit, goddess or female side of deity. Some speculate more like Mary. Some more like anima of God, some like Holy Spirit. It's a POV thing.

Answer 9

"Shekinah" is God's wife in old hebrew tradition, also considered to be Christ bride when he is supposed to marry in the Revelations, he is the divine part that descend to earth, she represents the earth who re-encounters with him, sort of a spirit who lies among the holy ones who follow his statements till the end.