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κατασκήνωσις

kataskḗnōsis

G2682 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A place of dwelling or temporary lodging, especially one constructed as a shelter or encampment. Used both for literal camps or dwellings (such as tents, huts, or nests), and metaphorically for a settled habitation or a place where something or someone resides. Can also denote a place of rest or temporary residence, emphasizing impermanence or the act of taking shelter.

Semantic Range

temporary encampment, place of dwelling, shelter, tent-like structure, habitation, nest (for birds), resting place, abode (often with a nuance of impermanence or sojourning)

Root / Etymology

From κατασκηνόω (to pitch a tent, to encamp), itself derived from the preposition κατά (down, among, according to) and σκηνή (tent, booth, tabernacle). No evidence suggests a foreign (Semitic) origin for the base, as σκηνή is widely attested in Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

First attested in Hellenistic Greek. In the Septuagint, κατασκήνωσις often translates Hebrew terms for dwelling places, encampments, or even divine abodes, emphasizing the aspect of a temporary shelter or resting place. The term appears in both literal and figurative contexts; for example, it can be used for a bird’s nest or a human camp. In the New Testament (Hebrews 11:9), it describes the transient lifestyle of patriarchs living in tents, emphasizing the impermanent, sojourning aspect. Later Christian literature occasionally employs it metaphorically for the 'dwelling place' of the soul or of God. Standard English translations may narrow its meaning to 'nest,' 'encampment,' or 'dwelling,' but the Greek term is broader, applicable to both human and animal abodes and with both literal and nonliteral senses. The choice between 'nest' and 'dwelling' in translation should reflect the context and nuances of impermanence and shelter in the original Greek.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κατασκηνόω; an encamping, i.e. (figuratively) a perch:--nest.

Root Family

κατασκήνωσις (kataskēnōsis) — encamping, temporary dwelling, sheltering habitation

Root κατασκην- to settle, to encamp, to dwell temporarily

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2682-01 κατασκηνώσεις kataskenoseis N ACC F PL nests temporary dwellings nests 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2682-01 Matthew 8:20 κατασκηνώσεις kataskenoseis N ACC F PL nests temporary dwellings nests
G2682-01 Luke 9:58 κατασκηνώσεις kataskenoseis N ACC F PL nests temporary dwellings temporary dwellings
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