σκηνόω
skēnóō
G4637 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To dwell, take up residence, or live in a tent or temporary shelter; used literally of pitching or living in a tent, and figuratively of abiding, especially denoting habitation or the act of residing (frequently with nuances of temporary or conditional residence). In Hellenistic Jewish and early Christian contexts, may refer to the special, manifest presence of deity 'tabernacling' among people.
Semantic Range
to live in a tent, to encamp, to take up temporary residence, to dwell (especially with a sense of impermanence), to have one's abode (figuratively, of divine presence among humans)
Root / Etymology
From the noun σκῆνος ('tent, tabernacle, temporary dwelling'). σκηνόω is a denominative verb meaning 'to live in a tent,' formed on the root σκην-.
Historical & Contextual Notes
First attested in classical Greek (e.g., Xenophon), where it signifies actual dwelling in a tent, typically by itinerant or nomadic people. In the Septuagint, commonly used to translate Hebrew terms for 'dwelling' or 'dwelling in a tabernacle' (e.g., וַיִּשְׁכֹּן, va-yishkon). In the Hellenistic and Roman periods, the term gains rich metaphorical resonance, especially in Jewish and early Christian literature: the divine presence 'dwelling' with people (e.g., John's Gospel). This usage evokes the imagery of the Tabernacle (σκηνή) in the wilderness as a place of temporary, mobile, but genuine presence rather than permanent habitation. English Bible translations often render the figurative sense as 'dwell' or 'make one's dwelling,' but may obscure the original notion of a tent or temporary abode, as opposed to more permanent residency implied by other Greek verbs such as οἰκέω ('to live in') or κατοικέω ('to settle, reside permanently').
Translation Consistency
"Dwell" is the most natural, general English verb that covers the primary senses of σκηνόω — to live/abide in a tent or temporary residence and, figuratively, to have habitation/tabernacle among people. It matches the majority P2 renderings and is flexible for literal and figurative uses while remaining natural-sounding (preferred over more technical options like "tabernacle").
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σκῆνος; to tent or encamp, i.e. (figuratively) to occupy (as a mansion) or (specially), to reside (as God did in the Tabernacle of old, a symbol of protection and communion):-- dwell.
Root Family
σκην- (episkēnóō) — tent, dwelling, shelter
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G1981 | ἐπισκηνόω | might tent upon |
| G4636 | σκῆνος | in a tent-dwelling |
| G4638 | σκήνωμα | temporary dwelling |
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4637-02 |
σκηνώσει | skenosei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
he will dwell | he will tent | he will dwell | 2 |
G4637-01 |
ἐσκήνωσεν | eskenosen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
dwelt | he tented | he tented | 1 |
G4637-03 |
σκηνοῦντας | skenountas | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL |
who dwell | those tenting | dwelling | 1 |
G4637-04 |
σκηνοῦντες | skenountes | V PRS ACT PTCP VOC M PL |
dwell | you who are tenting | dwelling | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4637-01 |
John 1:14 | ἐσκήνωσεν | eskenosen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
dwelt | he tented | he tented |
G4637-02 |
Revelation 7:15 | σκηνώσει | skenosei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
will dwell | he will tent | he will dwell |
G4637-04 |
Revelation 12:12 | σκηνοῦντες | skenountes | V PRS ACT PTCP VOC M PL |
dwell | you who are tenting | dwelling |
G4637-03 |
Revelation 13:6 | σκηνοῦντας | skenountas | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL |
who dwell | those tenting | dwelling |
G4637-02 |
Revelation 21:3 | σκηνώσει | skenosei | V FUT ACT IND 3P SG |
he will dwell | he will tent | he will dwell |