Ps 24:7-8, 10 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! … 10Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah
The mighty God is “the King of glory” (cf. Acts 7:2b ↓; Eph 1:17 ↓), for his glory far exceeds that of anyone or anything else, and in him glory has its ultimate expression.
Ps 104:31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works,
This points to the fact that God’s glory will indeed endure forever.
Ps 138:5 … and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord.
Jer 2:11 Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.
The phrase “their glory” refers to God – “their Glory [God]” (AMP). Referring to God as such reflects that glory is a prominent and key part of his being.
Hab 2:14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
Acts 7:2b The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, …
“The God of glory” – as with the similar titles “the King of glory” (Ps 24:7-8, 10 ↑) and “the Father of glory” (Eph 1:17 ↓) – appears to indicate one or more of the following: glory is a central attribute of God, permeating or encompassing his entire being; God is the ultimate source of all glory; and God is the one to whom all glory belongs (cf. Rev 19:1 ↓).
Rom 3:23 … for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
In their sinful state, people are not compatible with God’s wondrous glory. The fact that it is God’s glory that people are measured by or compared to, underlines that glory is a key attribute of God.
2Cor 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
This is speaking of God enabling believers to know his glory through his revelation of himself in Jesus Christ, largely as seen in Jesus Christ’s mission. Jesus Christ emulated and revealed God in his person, words and deeds; in a sense Jesus Christ personified God.
Eph 1:17 … that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, …
Heb 1:3a He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
In speaking of Jesus Christ being like God, the only attribute of God that is specifically mentioned is his glory (cf. 2Cor 4:6 ↑). This highlights that glory is a prominent and key attribute of God.
Jude 1:25 … to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
In ascribing glory to God (cf. Rev 19:1 ↓; [Reasons for which to exalt God:] God’s glory) the writer appears to both acknowledge God’s glory and bestow glory on God, the latter being akin to a blessing.
Glory belongs to God:
Rev 19:1 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, …
Ultimately glory only truly belongs to God. No other glory is comparable or lasting.
God’s glory is an integral aspect of God’s presence
See also:
Israel’s glory will primarily be God, with the glory of his presence
Ps 26:8 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.
In speaking of where God’s “glory dwells” – and also in view of the earlier reference to “your house” – this correlates God’s glory with his presence.
Ps 85:9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.
The reference to “glory” is likely to God’s glory – “his glory” (NCV™, NIV®, NLT, NRSV). The verse may mean that on accomplishing their salvation, God’s glorious presence – God himself – would remain with his people in the land (cf. AMP, GNT). Alternatively, or additionally, it could be speaking of God’s glory being manifested in effecting his people’s salvation.
Isa 58:8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. ▤
This appears to allude to the cloud of God’s presence, which guided and protected Israel during all their desert travels. The expression “the glory of the Lord” speaks of God himself, his very presence.
Ezek 3:12-13 Then the Spiritc lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voiced of a great earthquake: “Blessed be the glory of the Lord from its place!” 13It was the sound of the wings of the living creatures as they touched one another, and the sound of the wheels beside them, and the sound of a great earthquake. ▤
c Or the wind; also verse 14
d Or sound
The term “its place” likely denotes God’s dwelling place (cf. NIV). The context (cf. Ezek 1:26-28 ⇓; Ezek 3:22-23 ⇓) further suggests that “the glory of the Lord” is correlated with God’s presence.
2Pet 1:17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son,e with whom I am well pleased,” … ▤
e Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved
Peter is speaking of Jesus Christ’s transfiguration where God, “the Majestic Glory”, spoke from a bright cloud that enveloped Jesus and the disciples with him (cf. Matt 17:5). The reference to God as “the Majestic Glory” speaks of and emphasizes the glory of his presence (cf. ESB).
Jude 1:24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, … ▤
Num 14:21 But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, … ▤
As noted earlier, this may be linking God’s glory with his presence – which may also be the case in Isaiah 6:3 below.
Isa 6:3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”f ▤
f Or may his glory fill the whole earth
Rev 21:2-3, 10-11 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling placeg of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,h and God himself will be with them as their God. ▤ … 10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. ▤
g Or tabernacle
h Some manuscripts peoples
i Some manuscripts omit as their God
God will dwell with his people in the new Jerusalem (v. 3). As such God’s glory will be there (v. 11).
God’s glory manifests his presence . . .
See also:
God’s presence has been manifested in a cloud
God’s presence has been manifested with fire
Ex 16:10-11 And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. 11And the Lord said to Moses, … ▤
Verse 1 indicates that God spoke from the cloud, affirming his presence in it – thus showing his glory to be a manifestation of his presence. Exodus 24:15-17, Numbers 14:10-11, Numbers 20:6-7, Ezekiel 1:26-28 and Ezekiel 8:4-5b below similarly speak of the appearance of God’s glory along with God speaking, showing his glory to be indicative of his presence.
Ex 24:15-17 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. ▤
Ex 33:18-22 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” 21And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. ▤
Verses 19-20, 22b indicate that God’s presence is in view. As such God’s glory (vv. 18, 22) is here closely associated with God’s presence, seemingly manifesting it.
Lev 9:4-6, 23-24 … and an ox and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the Lord, and a grain offering mixed with oil, for today the Lord will appear to you.’” 5And they brought what Moses commanded in front of the tent of meeting, and all the congregation drew near and stood before the Lord. 6And Moses said, “This is the thing that the Lord commanded you to do, that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.” ▤ … 23And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 24And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. ▤
Verses 4, 6 correlate God’s appearance with his glory by speaking of the “Lord” appearing and “the glory of the Lord” appearing as being the same thing. Verses 23, 24 similarly correlate “the glory of the Lord” (v. 23) with his presence (v. 24b; cf. NIV).
Num 14:10-11 Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel. 11And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? ▤
Num 20:6-7 Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them, 7and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, … ▤
Ezek 1:26-28 And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire;j and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. 27And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.k 28Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking. ▤
j Or lapis lazuli
k Or it
Ezek 8:4-5a And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, like the vision that I saw in the valley. 5Then he said to me, “Son of man, lift up your eyes now toward the north.” ▤
Ezek 3:22-23 And the hand of the Lord was upon me there. And he said to me, “Arise, go out into the valley,l and there I will speak with you.” 23So I arose and went out into the valley, and behold, the glory of the Lord stood there, like the glory that I had seen by the Chebar canal, and I fell on my face. ▤
l Or plain; also verse 23
Acts 7:55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ▤
Here “the glory of God” is correlated with “God” himself – and so God’s presence.
. . . God’s glory is spoken of as manifesting his presence in his temples
1Ki 8:10-12 And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the Lord, 11so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord. 12Then Solomon said, “The Lordm has said that he would dwell in thick darkness. ▤
m Septuagint The Lord has set the sun in the heavens, but
As noted earlier, the “thick darkness” (v. 12) refers to the cloud (vv. 10-11).
Ezek 43:1-5 Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing east. 2And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. 3And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when hen came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face. 4As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east, 5the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple. ▤
n Some Hebrew manuscripts and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts when I
This is from Ezekiel’s vision of a future temple in Jerusalem.
Rev 15:8 … and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished. ▤
God’s heavenly temple appears to be in view.
Ex 40:34-35 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. ▤
Prior to Solomon building the first temple of God, the tabernacle was the place of God’s sanctuary. (It was a movable structure, which accompanied the Israelites in their travels.) It likewise signified God’s presence and here God’s glory is spoken of as manifesting his presence in it.
God is resplendent with light
One can infer from the following verses that one aspect or effect of God’s glory is that God is resplendent with light.
1Tim 6:15-16 … which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. ▤
Ps 104:2 … covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. ▤
The use of “light” here may be figurative (cf. Ps 18:12 ↓), portraying God’s interaction with his creation. But even if this is the case, it probably alludes to the actual light of God’s glory and presence.
Isa 60:19-20 The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light;o but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.p 20Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. ▤
o Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scroll, Septuagint, Targum add by night
p Or your beauty
This speaks of the renewed Jerusalem, and is reflected in Revelation 21:11, 23 below, which speaks of the new Jerusalem of the afterlife.
Ezek 1:27-28a And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.q 28Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. ▤
q Or it
Ezek 43:1-2 Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing east. 2And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. ▤
The earth shone “with the dazzling light” (GNT) of God’s glory.
Dan 2:22 … he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. ▤
The meaning of the final clause is debatable, but it may well be speaking of the light that emanates from God’s glory (cf. GNT, NCV, NLT).
Luke 2:9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. ▤
The angel who appeared to the shepherds to announce Jesus Christ’s birth was accompanied by a manifestation of God’s glory (cf. Rev 21:23 ↓), indicative of God’s presence, which shone around them. Such was the light that, along with the angel, it evoked fear.
Rev 21:23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. ▤
Rev 22:5a And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light … ▤
Deut 33:2 He said, “The Lord came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us;r he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fires at his right hand. ▤
r Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew them
s The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
The appearance of God’s glory at Sinai is in view (cf. Ex 24:15-17). God “dawned” as in “rose like the sun” (GNT, NCV; cf. Hab 3:4 ↓). Psalms 50:2 also speaks of God shining forth – “Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.”
Ps 18:12 Out of the brightness before him hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds. ▤
As in Habakkuk 3:4 below, the description here appears to be figurative, although quite possibly alluding to the writer’s understanding of God’s actual presence.
Hab 3:4 His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power. ▤
1Jn 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ▤
Here “light” appears to be used as a metaphor for God’s holiness and truth, but it may also allude to the light of God’s presence (cf. ZBC), hence its inclusion here.
God has great splendor and majesty
Verses speaking of God’s splendor and/or majesty are reflective of God’s glory. Similar to and in conjunction with God’s glory, God’s splendor and majesty are spoken of as being descriptive of his presence and also on occasions as emanating from his pre-eminent attributes, partly in his exercising of them.
Ps 96:6 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. ▤
Ps 104:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, … ▤
Ps 145:5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. ▤
Isa 2:10, 19 Enter into the rock and hide in the dust from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of his majesty. ▤ … 19And people shall enter the caves of the rocks and the holes of the ground,t from before the terror of the Lord, and from the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to terrify the earth. ▤
t Hebrew dust
Hab 3:3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. Selah ▤
Possibly the appearance of God’s glory at Mount Sinai is in view here (cf. Ex 19:16-19). God’s splendor is depicted as covering the heavens and bringing him praise and renown throughout the earth.
Deut 33:26 There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. ▤
This poetically depicts the dynamic power and majesty of God.
1Chr 29:11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. ▤
Job 37:22 Out of the north comes golden splendor; God is clothed with awesome majesty. ▤
Ps 29:4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. ▤
Ps 93:1a The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. ▤
Heb 1:3b After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, … ▤
As well as indicating that God has great majesty, the title “Majesty” alludes to God’s supremacy (cf. GNT) and probably also his glory (cf. 2Pet 1:17 ↓).
Ex 15:7, 11 In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble. ▤ … 11“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? ▤
Akin to the theme of the following subsection, God’s majesty is manifested in his great power (v. 7; cf. Isa 2:10, 19 ↑; Ps 8:1 ↓). It is also in part due to his holiness (v. 11). Note that this and the following references speak of God as being “majestic”, indicative of his great majesty.
Ps 8:1 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. ▤
Ps 76:4 Glorious are you, more majestic than the mountains of prey. ▤
2Pet 1:17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son,u with whom I am well pleased,” ▤
u Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved
God’s glory is reflected in his powerful deeds
See also:
Ps 145:5 ⇑; Ex 15:7 ⇑; Ps 8:1 ⇑
God’s judgment evidences his glory – and also brings him glory
God’s saving of his people reveals God’s glory
Israel’s renewal will bring God glory
Note that the following two subsections in part also speak of God’s glory being reflected in his powerful deeds. God’s creation is largely in view in the following subsection and in the subsequent one God’s emphatic intervention at the end of the age is prominent.
Ps 24:8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! ▤
God’s power seen in his deeds against enemies, exhibits his glory – pointing to him being the “King of glory”.
Ps 66:2-3 … sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! 3Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. ▤
This speaks both of God’s glory being evidenced in his power and deeds and of him being glorified in people praising him because of his power and deeds.
Ps 138:5 … and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. ▤
The “ways” of the Lord are inclusive of what he has done (cf. CEV, GNT, NCV, NIrV) and reflect his great glory.
Ps 145:11-12 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, 12to make known to the children of man yourv mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. ▤
v Hebrew his; also next line
These verses associate the glory and glorious splendor of God’s kingdom with God’s mighty acts, arguably suggesting that the latter evidences the former.
Ezek 39:6, 13, 21 I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they shall know that I am the Lord. ▤ … 13All the people of the land will bury them, and it will bring them renown on the day that I show my glory, declares the Lord God. ▤ … 21“And I will set my glory among the nations, and all the nations shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on them. ▤
John 11:40-44 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” ▤
God’s glory was seen or reflected in the raising of Lazarus from the dead, with Jesus effectively calling on his Father in raising Lazarus.
Rom 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. ▤
This indicates that God’s glory – encompassing his “glorious power” (GNT, NLT; cf. AMP, NCV) – was evident in his raising of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Ex 15:6 Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy. ▤
Just as God’s glory is reflected in his powerful deeds, God’s power expressed in his deeds shows him to be glorious.
Luke 9:43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesusw said to his disciples, … ▤
w Greek he
Akin to his glory, God’s majesty was reflected in Jesus Christ’s powerful deeds, which were done with God’s power.
God’s dealings with humankind make known “the riches of his glory”:
Rom 9:22-23 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— ▤
Paul may be saying that God makes “the riches of his glory” (v. 23a) known to those who are “vessels of mercy” by bearing with great patience those who are “vessels of wrath”. Alternatively, Paul may mean that God makes “the riches of his glory” known by bestowing these riches on the “vessels of mercy” in contrast to the destruction that he will inflict on the “vessels of wrath”.
God’s glory is evidenced throughout the earth and the heavens
See also:
Creation attests to God’s greatness and glory
God’s glory is evidenced throughout the earth and the heavens – for God so wonderfully created them, reflecting his glory.
Ps 8:1 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. ▤
Ps 19:1-4a The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky abovex proclaims his handiwork. 2Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4Their voicey goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. ▤
x Hebrew the expanse; compare Genesis 1:6-8
y Or Their measuring line
Ps 97:4-6 His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles. 5The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. 6The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. ▤
This may well be simply speaking of dramatic physical occurrences in nature pointing to God’s reign, illustrating that with the expression of his power in nature, God’s glory is apparent to “all the peoples” (v. 6).
Isa 6:3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”z ▤
z Or may his glory fill the whole earth
God’s glory will be explicitly revealed throughout the earth, to all nations
See also:
Israel’s renewal will bring God glory
The following references either refer to or have an application to the end of the age when God will impose his authority over all the earth, unequivocally revealing his glory in his deeds and displaying to all nations the glory of his presence.
Num 14:21 But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, … ▤
Ps 57:11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! ▤
The prayer here and the similar one in 72:19 below are in a sense anticipatory of what would or will happen in the future, expressing the desire that God’s glory be revealed throughout all the earth.
Ps 72:19 Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen! ▤
Ps 102:15-16 Nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory. 16For the Lord builds up Zion; he appears in his glory; … ▤
A future time appears to be in view (cf. Isa 24:23 ↓), as reflected in other translations.
Isa 35:1-2 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; 2it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. ▤
In v. 2b, “they” quite possibly refers to the nations. In the future renewal of Israel, “they” would and/or will see the glory of Israel’s God.
Isa 40:5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. ▤
This initially refers to God’s deliverance of the Jews from captivity in Babylon. It is also understood to apply to his redemption that would come through Jesus Christ, in his first advent. It likewise is readily applicable to the consummation of this redemption at the end of the age.
Isa 66:18 For I knowa their works and their thoughts, and the time is comingb to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory, … ▤
a Septuagint, Syriac; Hebrew lacks know
b Hebrew and it is coming
Ezek 39:21 And I will set my glory among the nations, and all the nations shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on them. ▤
Hab 2:14 For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. ▤
The revelation of God’s glory in the destruction of Babylon (cf. vv. 12-13) may initially be in view, but the verse probably also has a final fulfillment at the end of the age. As such, some commentators assert that this is speaking primarily of the glory of God’s presence being manifested throughout the earth.
God’s glory will be evident when he reigns in Jerusalem:
Isa 24:23 Then the moon will be confounded and the sun ashamed, for the Lord of hosts reigns on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and his glory will be before his elders. ▤