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σκηνή

skēnḗ

G4633 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Tent; a portable shelter or dwelling made of cloth or skins, typically used as a temporary residence. In broader usage, σκηνή also denotes any temporary dwelling, tabernacle, or pavilion. In certain religious contexts (especially in the Septuagint and New Testament), it refers specifically to the sanctuary or dwelling place of the divine presence, often in allusion to the sacred tent used by the Israelites in the wilderness (the 'Tabernacle'). It can also be employed metaphorically for the body as a temporary dwelling, or for a place where someone dwells.

Semantic Range

tent, portable shelter, temporary dwelling, encampment, tabernacle (the Israelite sanctuary), pavilion, metaphor for temporary residence or body

Root / Etymology

From the root σκη-, related to the action 'to pitch a tent.' Etymologically distinct from σκεῦος (vessel, implement) and σκιά (shadow), though possibly shared Indo-European roots relating to covering or shelter. The precise ultimate origin is uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, σκηνή originally referred to a tent or booth, commonly associated with military or nomadic settings. The term developed specialized usage in the context of Greek theater, coming to denote the tent or structure behind the stage (the 'skene'). In the Septuagint, σκηνή was used as the standard rendering of the Hebrew מִשְׁכָּן (mishkan), referring to the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites (see Exodus 25–40). In the New Testament, σκηνή is often used with this scriptural resonance, but it can also be broader, meaning any dwelling or habitation. In 2 Corinthians 5:1–4, for instance, it refers metaphorically to the human body as a temporary earthly dwelling. Standard English translations (e.g., 'tabernacle,' 'tent,' 'dwelling') do not always convey the word's underlying sense of temporariness and portability. In Hellenistic and Second Temple literature, σκηνή likewise carries both literal and metaphorical senses, including as a symbol of God's presence among people. Not to be confused with ναός (temple, sacred building) or οἶκος (house), which connote more permanent structures.

Translation Consistency

primary "tent" 11 occurrences

'Tent' is the simplest, most natural English equivalent covering the primary sense of σκηνή as a portable/temporary dwelling. It matches the majority of P2 renderings and naturally extends to related senses (tabernacle, pavilion, metaphorical dwelling) without sounding overly technical; it preserves consistency across all forms.

Alternatives (9 occurrences):
"tent-dwelling" (9x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

apparently akin to σκεῦος and σκιά; a tent or cloth hut (literally or figuratively):--habitation, tabernacle.

Root Family

σκη- (skēnḗ) — to pitch a tent, to dwell temporarily

Root σκη- to pitch a tent, to dwell temporarily

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4633-04 σκηνὴν skenen N ACC F SG tabernacle a tent a tent 6
G4633-03 σκηνὴ skene N NOM F SG tabernacle tent-dwelling tent-dwelling 5
G4633-02 σκηνάς skenas N ACC F PL tabernacles tents tents 4
G4633-05 σκηνῆς skenes N GEN F SG tabernacle of a tent-dwelling of a tent-dwelling 4
G4633-01 σκηναῖς skenais N DAT F PL tents in tents tents 1

Occurrences in Scripture

20 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4633-02 Matthew 17:4 σκηνάς skenas N ACC F PL tabernacles tents tents
G4633-02 Mark 9:5 σκηνάς skenas N ACC F PL tabernacles tents tents
G4633-02 Luke 9:33 σκηνὰς skenas N ACC F PL tabernacles tents tents
G4633-02 Luke 16:9 σκηνάς skenas N ACC F PL dwellings tents tents
G4633-04 Acts 7:43 σκηνὴν skenen N ACC F SG tent a tent a tent
G4633-03 Acts 7:44 σκηνὴ skene N NOM F SG tabernacle tent-dwelling tent-dwelling
G4633-04 Acts 15:16 σκηνὴν skenen N ACC F SG tent a tent a tent
G4633-05 Hebrews 8:2 σκηνῆς skenes N GEN F SG tabernacle of a tent-dwelling of a tent-dwelling
G4633-04 Hebrews 8:5 σκηνήν skenen N ACC F SG tabernacle a tent a tent
G4633-03 Hebrews 9:2 σκηνὴ skene N NOM F SG tabernacle tent-dwelling tent-dwelling
G4633-03 Hebrews 9:3 σκηνὴ skene N NOM F SG tabernacle tent-dwelling tent-dwelling
G4633-04 Hebrews 9:6 σκηνὴν skenen N ACC F SG tabernacle a tent a tent
G4633-05 Hebrews 9:8 σκηνῆς skenes N GEN F SG tabernacle of a tent-dwelling of a tent-dwelling
G4633-05 Hebrews 9:11 σκηνῆς skenes N GEN F SG tabernacle of a tent-dwelling of a tent-dwelling
G4633-04 Hebrews 9:21 σκηνὴν skenen N ACC F SG tabernacle a tent a tent
G4633-01 Hebrews 11:9 σκηναῖς skenais N DAT F PL tents in tents tents
G4633-03 Hebrews 13:10 σκηνῇ skene N DAT F SG tabernacle tent-dwelling tent-dwelling
G4633-04 Revelation 13:6 σκηνὴν skenen N ACC F SG tabernacle a tent a tent
G4633-05 Revelation 15:5 σκηνῆς skenes N GEN F SG tabernacle of a tent-dwelling of a tent-dwelling
G4633-03 Revelation 21:3 σκηνὴ skene N NOM F SG tabernacle tent-dwelling tent-dwelling
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