כָּבוֹד (ka.vod)
ka.vod
glory
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 149 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun kâbôd literally means weight, but in Scripture it always carries a positive sense of splendor or abundance. It describes the visible manifestation of honor, whether belonging to God or to people. When used for humans, it refers to dignity, reputation, or riches. For God, it signifies majesty and the radiant presence that surrounds Him.
A key distinction lies in how this weight translates into visibility. In Exodus 24:16 and Isaiah 6:3, kâbôd is the tangible glory that fills the temple or covers Mount Sinai. It is not merely an abstract idea but a powerful reality that demands reverence. Translators often render it as "glory," though this English word can feel distant; the Hebrew concept is closer to a heavy, undeniable presence.
The term also appears in poetic contexts to describe the inner nobility of a person. Psalm 8:5 speaks of humans being crowned with kâbôd, suggesting that human dignity reflects a portion of divine weightiness. This usage connects external honor with internal worth, showing that true glory involves both reputation and character.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word kâbôd literally means weight, yet it describes something radiant and undeniable. When Scripture speaks of God’s glory, it is not referring to an abstract idea but to a tangible presence that fills spaces like the tabernacle or Mount Sinai. This heavy, visible majesty reminds us that God is near, real, and active in our world.
For people, this word points to dignity and honor that come from being created in God’s image. Psalm 8:5 suggests we are crowned with glory, meaning our worth is inherent and reflects the Creator’s own weightiness. This truth offers comfort when life feels light or meaningless; your value is not based on fleeting success but on who made you.
Understanding kâbôd helps us see that true honor is not about self-promotion but about reflecting God’s character. Whether in the temple or in daily life, this concept invites us to live with a sense of sacred purpose and reverence for the One whose presence fills all things.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 149 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] glory of27×
- honor14×
- glory14×
- and/ honor12×
- glory/ his11×
- and/ [the] glory of7×
- <the>/ glory6×
- honor/ my5×
- glory/ your5×
- glory/ my5×
- [the] splendor of5×
- glory/ their3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּב֣וֹד15×
- כְבוֹד\־8×
- כְּב֥וֹד6×
- כָּבֽוֹד\׃5×
- כָּב֑וֹד5×
- כָּב֥וֹד4×
- כָב֖וֹד4×
- לְ/כָב֖וֹד3×
- כְּבוֹדֽ/וֹ\׃3×
- כְּבוֹד֑/וֹ3×
- וּ/כְב֥וֹד3×
- וּ/כְב֣וֹד3×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 24:16
Yahweh’s glory settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. The seventh day he called to Moses out of the middle of the cloud.
This verse shows kâbôd as a physical reality settling on Sinai, establishing God’s glory as a place of encounter rather than just a concept.
-
Exodus 33:18
Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”
Moses’ request to see God’s glory reveals that this weightiness is something believers can desire and seek intimately.
-
Exodus 40:34
Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and Yahweh’s glory filled the tabernacle.
Here the glory fills the tabernacle, demonstrating that God’s presence makes a space holy and suitable for meeting with His people.
-
Genesis 45:13
You shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. You shall hurry and bring my father down here.”
Joseph uses kâbôd to describe his elevated status in Egypt, showing how the term applies to human honor and divine provision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does kâbôd literally mean in Hebrew?
How is God’s glory different from human glory?
Why does Moses ask to see God’s glory in Exodus 33?
Every Occurrence (149 verses across 24 books)
Genesis 3 verses
Jacob heard Laban’s sons’ words, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s. He has obtained all this…
Genesis 45:13You shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. You shall hurry and bring my father…
Genesis 49:6My soul, don’t come into their council. My glory, don’t be united to their assembly; for in their anger they killed…