ἐπισκηνόω
episkēnóō
G1981 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To set up or pitch a tent upon, to encamp upon. In extended, often figurative usage, to dwell or settle (upon, with, or in a place or person), especially in the sense of a presence coming to rest or make its abode (often with the connotation of divine presence or favor 'overshadowing' or 'resting upon' someone or something). In contexts such as the New Testament, frequently used metaphorically for a supernatural or intense presence dwelling with or upon an individual or group.
Semantic Range
to pitch a tent upon, to encamp over, to dwell upon, to rest upon (figurative, especially of a divine or supernatural presence), to establish one's presence over
Root / Etymology
Compound formed from the preposition ἐπί ('upon, over') and σκηνόω ('to tent', 'to dwell in a tent'), which itself is derived from σκηνή ('tent', 'tabernacle'). Thus, the word literally means 'to tent upon' or 'pitch a tent over/upon'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The verb ἐπισκηνόω is relatively rare and is found primarily in Hellenistic and Koine Greek sources. It appears notably in the Septuagint (LXX) and New Testament, such as in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where it describes the 'power' of the Lord 'pitching its tent over' or 'coming to dwell with' the apostle Paul, generally translated as 'rest upon'. In the LXX, similarly, it can refer to God's presence 'overshadowing' or 'coming to dwell over' someone or the tabernacle. The language evokes the imagery of the tent-dwelling (tabernacling) of God with the Israelites (cf. Exod 40:34-35 LXX), and later becomes a metaphor for divine or gracious presence. Standard English Bible translations often render it as 'rest upon' or 'abide with', which may obscure the underlying image of encampment or protective overshadowing. The verb is distinct from plain σκηνόω ('to tent, dwell'), adding the sense of 'upon/over' to the metaphor. In extra-biblical Greek, the term can appear in magical papyri or philosophical texts with related metaphorical use, but its religious connotation is sharpened in Jewish and Christian literature, often implying the manifestation of the divine or supernatural presence.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐπί and σκηνόω; to tent upon, i.e. (figuratively) abide with :--rest upon.
Root Family
σκην- (episkēnóō) — tent, dwelling, shelter
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G4636 | σκῆνος | in a tent-dwelling |
| G4637 | σκηνόω | he tented |
| G4638 | σκήνωμα | temporary dwelling |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1981-01 |
ἐπισκηνώσῃ | episkenose | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
may rest | might tent upon | might dwell upon | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1981-01 |
2 Corinthians 12:9 | ἐπισκηνώσῃ | episkenose | V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
may rest | might tent upon | might dwell upon |