Glory in the Old Testament means something different than in English. In English, it often describes something temporary, like a sunset or last year's winning team.
The Hebrew word for glory means what is "heavy" or "solid." It implies "importance" or "worth." This is the opposite of "temporary" or "empty." When God's glory appears, it is not just a bright light or a shining cloud. It is a visible sign of his absolute reality.
God's glory shows his presence, power, and majesty (see Ezekiel 1:28; 10:4). God's glory may appear in nature, like during a thunderstorm or in the plagues on the Egyptians (Job 37:2–5; Psalm 29:3, 7; Numbers 14:21–22). God's glory can also be a special event, like the revelation on Mount Sinai (Deuteronomy 5:24). When God established the tabernacle and King Solomon's temple, God's glory filled them (Exodus 40:34–35; 1 Kings 8:10–11). This showed his approval and presence there. Similarly, the glory of the Lord sent the fire that started the first sacrifices in the holy place (Leviticus 9:22–24).
When God shows his glory to his creation, it is often called a theophany (see, for example, Exodus 24:16–18). God provides limited views of his glory because he says, "no one can see Me and live" (Exodus 33:18–23; see also Isaiah 6:5). To “give glory” to God means to speak or act in a way that acknowledges who God is (Joshua 7:19; Isaiah 24:15; Jeremiah 13:16).
Jesus Christ reflects God's glory and image (2 Corinthians 4:4). Through his death and resurrection, God glorified him (John 17:1–5). When Jesus returns, he will show God's glory in his restored kingdom (Revelation 21:11, 23). The apostle Paul says that Christ's presence in Christians' lives guarantees us that we will share in that glory (Romans 5:2; Colossians 1:27).
Passages for Further Study
Exodus 14:17–18; 16:6–12; 33:17–23; 40:34–38; Leviticus 9:23–24; 10:1–3; Numbers 14:21–22; Deuteronomy 5:24; Joshua 7:19; 1 Kings 8:11; 2 Chronicles 7:1–3; Job 37:2–5; Psalms 3:3; 8:4–6; 19:1; 29:3, 7–9; 48:8; Isaiah 6:3–5; 42:8; 43:7; 66:18–19; Jeremiah 13:16; Ezekiel 1:28; 10:4; Hosea 4:7; John 17:1–5; Romans 5:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:27; Revelation 21:10–11, 23–25