Exod. 16:10 proclaims that Jehovah's glory "appeared" in the cloud--it was some kind of visible manifestation. Compare Exod. 13:21; 16:7; 24:16; 40:34-35; Numbers 16:42; Ezekiel 3:23. Ezekiel 43:2 states that the earth shone because of God's glory.
It's hard for me to understand how one can deny that YHWH's glory in Ezekiel 1:28 is visible, bright, and overwhelming to the prophet. I also do not necessarily see the brilliance restricted to lightning in the verse: "The meaning is, In the brightness, or light, that was about what I saw, was the appearance of the rainbow" (Benson Commentary).
2 Cor. 3:18 mentions beholding the Lord's glory-DOXA "as in a glass" (KJV) which again connotes visibility on some level. Furthermore, Paul urges that "we" are changed "into the same image from glory to glory" by the spirit of God.
This page contains plenty of information on DOXA: https://www.studylight.org/lexicons/greek/gwview.cgi?n=1391
The rendering "glory" is vague, but the basic idea is still conveyed that the word DOXA potentially refers to external splendor, an outward manifestation of brilliance, etc.
Why treat that which is seen in the cloud as a separate entity? What about quantity of cloud? Or as the Hebrew could be understood, as weight.
ReplyDeleteExodus 16:10 (Darby): "And it came to pass, when Aaron spoke to the whole assembly of the children of Israel, that they turned toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of Jehovah appeared in the cloud."
ReplyDeleteLXX: "And when Aaron spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and they turned toward the wilderness, then the glory of the Lord appeared in a cloud."
What reason do we have for not treating the glory separately here? Divine glory does not seem to be identical with the cloud itself, but it emanates from the cloud. Yes, kavod can be understood as weightiness or heaviness, but context must determine or clarify how terms like kavod/doxa are being used. Compare https://fosterheologicalreflections.blogspot.com/2016/10/william-ross-and-doxa.html
One source speaks of the divine glory as God's visible presence manifested in his creation.
ReplyDeletehttps://books.google.com/books?id=QfLIDAAAQBAJ&pg=PT270&lpg=PT270&dq=exodus+16:10+glory+in+the+cloud+doxa&source=bl&ots=P3uxQm47yG&sig=Ur6VGxPCb2pDnVeyBNMZ3xTVm1g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiulOPpjLHaAhVpxoMKHV3rAPc4ChDoAQhKMAc#v=onepage&q=exodus%2016%3A10%20glory%20in%20the%20cloud%20doxa&f=false
Even the Hebrew allows for us to view God's glory as something visible that is distinct from the cloud itself.
It may be worth comparing Exodus 34:5.
ReplyDeleteIt's a different reference, but still personally does not give me reason to think Exod 16:10 identifies the cloud with the divine kavod/doxa. There's also the tradition of Shekinah light standing for God's manifested presence.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ctsfw.net/media/pdfs/MaierIIIDivinePresenceWithinTheCloud.pdf
See page 83.
Appearing in the cloud can mean that it is, for a lack of better words projected into the cloud, the cloud would make a screen to have his glory projected on to or into. Where is the projection coming from, if you don't know what a projection is, the Israelite may not have known. Than it would appear to just be God's glory in the cloud.
ReplyDeleteI like the thought of the glory being projected in the cloud. Compare 1 Kings 8:10-11; Numbers 16:42; Isa. 60:1-3.
ReplyDeleteFor 1 kings 8:10-11 - compare 2 Chronicles 7:1 & 1 Kings 8:5.
ReplyDelete& 2 Chronicles 7:5.
ReplyDeleteCould Isaiah 60:1 LXX φως be translated as fire?
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that the translation "fire" fits in this case. It doesn't seem that thew context supports that rendering. Brenton chooses, "for thy light is come"
ReplyDeleteNotice the wording, φωτίζου φωτίζου Ιερουσαλημ which would appear to make "light" a better option than "fire" in this case.
ABP translates as "be enlightened! Be enlightened, Oh Jerusalem!" But it does translate as light.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/septuagint/chapter.asp?book=43&page=60
ReplyDeleteAs for Isaiah , it seems worth comparing 61:10 with Malachi 4:2.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Just also want you to know that the Septuagint at ellopos is Benton's version, the one I referenced above ("thy light is come").
ReplyDelete