Shekinah

Shekinah is a term used in later Jewish tradition to describe how God’s presence is understood to dwell among people or accompany them in specific situations. While the Hebrew Bible speaks of God being present or dwelling, it does not use the word Shekinah. The term develops in post-biblical and rabbinic literature as a way to speak about divine nearness without suggesting physical form. It is used to describe God’s presence in worship, study, community life, and even exile. Shekinah functions as explanatory language that allows texts to speak about God as present and involved while maintaining divine transcendence.