Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ (Isaiah 40:5)

The glory - kabowd - of the Lord is weighty, heavy, profound.

It will be revealed. The Hebrew is galah which can mean appear or uncover. But even more common is for it to mean captured, or held captive, or carried away.

The ten tribes of northern Israel were carried away. The two tribes of the southern kingdom - Judah and Benjamin - were exiled to Babylon and returned.

It was during the Babylonian Captivity that what we would recognize as Judaism began to emerge.

The captives made meaning of their pain and separation by seeking the mouth of God.

And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (The first chorus of the Messiah).

You may listen to the Peabody Institute Symphony and Chorus perform the Messiah.

Above is the prophet Isaiah by Raphael.