οἰκέω
oikéō
G3611 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To reside, live, or dwell in a place; primarily used for taking up residence or being established in a particular location, whether temporarily or permanently. The term can be used of both literal, physical inhabitation (living in a house, city, or land) and, in some contexts, figurative or spiritual dwelling (e.g., indwelling of a spirit or deity).
Semantic Range
to dwell, to live in or inhabit (a place), to take up residence, to remain as an occupant, to inhabit in a figurative or spiritual sense
Root / Etymology
From οἶκος ('house, household'); formed by adding the verb ending -έω to the noun stem, indicating the action of 'housing' or 'being housed.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, οἰκέω generally refers to residing or inhabiting a physical place—such as a house, city, or land. It is common in literature to contrast οἰκέω (to reside, remain in a stable or settled abode) with other verbs of living or staying (e.g., μένω, 'abide, remain', or παροικέω, 'to reside as a sojourner'). The verb is frequently used in the Septuagint to translate Hebrew terms for dwelling or inhabiting, often with an emphasis on stability, settlement, or rightful occupation. In the New Testament, οἰκέω can extend figuratively to spiritual or communal contexts, such as the presence of the divine or the indwelling of the Spirit, though it retains the connotation of a settled presence. Standard English translations (e.g., 'dwell', 'live', 'inhabit') may not always convey the nuance of permanence or authorized residence inherent in the Greek term. In contrast to ἐνοικέω (to dwell in), which emphasizes the idea of indwelling (especially of something within someone else), οἰκέω puts more weight on established residence in a location or community. See also οἰκουμένη for the related idea of the 'inhabited world.'
Translation Consistency
Matches the primary semantic range (to reside or inhabit) and the common P2 renderings. "Dwell" works naturally for both literal living and figurative/indwelling senses, and preserves the biblical register better than alternatives like "live" or "inhabit." It provides consistent, natural English across all forms.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from οἶκος; to occupy a house, i.e. reside (figuratively, inhabit, remain, inhere); by implication, to cohabit:--dwell. See also οἰκουμένη.
Root Family
οἰκέω (oikeō) — to dwell, to inhabit, to reside
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3611-01 |
οἰκεῖ | oikei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
dwells | dwells | dwells | 4 |
G3611-02 |
οἰκεῖν | oikein | V PRS ACT INF |
to dwell | to dwell | to dwell | 2 |
G3611-03 |
οἰκῶν | oikon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
dwelling | dwelling place | dwelling | 1 |
G3611-04 |
οἰκοῦσα | oikousa | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F SG |
dwelling | dwelling | dwelling | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
8 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3611-01 |
Romans 7:18 | οἰκεῖ | oikei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
dwells | dwells | dwells |
G3611-04 |
Romans 7:20 | οἰκοῦσα | oikousa | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F SG |
dwelling | dwelling | dwelling |
G3611-01 |
Romans 8:9 | οἰκεῖ | oikei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
dwells | dwells | dwells |
G3611-01 |
Romans 8:11 | οἰκεῖ | oikei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
dwells | dwells | dwells |
G3611-01 |
1 Corinthians 3:16 | οἰκεῖ | oikei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
dwells | dwells | dwells |
G3611-02 |
1 Corinthians 7:12 | οἰκεῖν | oikein | V PRS ACT INF |
to dwell | to dwell | to dwell |
G3611-02 |
1 Corinthians 7:13 | οἰκεῖν | oikein | V PRS ACT INF |
to dwell | to dwell | to dwell |
G3611-03 |
1 Timothy 6:16 | οἰκῶν | oikon | V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG |
dwelling | dwelling place | dwelling |