Lexical Summary oikia: House, household, dwelling Original Word: οἰκία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance home, household. From oikos; properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics) -- home, house(-hold). see GREEK oikos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom oikos Definition a house, dwelling NASB Translation home (6), house (75), household (5), households (1), houses (7). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3614: οἰκίαοἰκία, οἰκίας, ἡ (οἶκος), the Sept. for בַּיִת (from Herodotus down), a house; a. properly, an inhabited edifice, a dwelling: Matthew 2:11; Matthew 7:24-27; Mark 1:29; Luke 15:8; John 12:3; Acts 4:34; 1 Corinthians 11:22; 2 Timothy 2:20, and often; οἱ ἐν τῇ οἰκία namely, ὄντες, Matthew 5:15; οἱ ἐκ τῆς οἰκίας with the genitive of person, Philippians 4:22; ἡ οἰκία τοῦ (πατρός μου) Θεοῦ, i. e. heaven,. John 14:2; of the body as the habitation of the soul, 2 Corinthians 5:1. b. the inmates of a house, the family: Matthew 12:25; ἡ οἰκία τίνος, the household, the family of anyone, John 4:53; 1 Corinthians 16:15 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 58, 4; Buttmann, § 129, 8 a.);. universally, for persons dwelling in the house, Matthew 10:13. c. property, wealth, goods (cf. Latinres familiaris): τίνος, Matthew 23:14-13Rec. (cf. Wetstein (1752) at the passage); Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47; so οἶκος in Homer (as Odyssey 2, 237 κατεδουσι βιαίως οἶκον Ὀδυσσηος, cf. 4, 318), in Herodotus 3, 53 and in Attic; Hebrew בַּיִת, Genesis 45:18 (the Sept. τά ὑπάρχοντα); Esther 8:1 (the Sept. ὅσα ὑπῆρχεν). Not found in Rev. (Synonym: see οἶκος, at the end) Topical Lexicon Foundational Concept: The House within the Divine Economy Throughout Scripture the “house” (Greek οἰκία / οἰκίαν / οἰκίας / οἰκίᾳ) is more than a physical structure. It is the sphere where authority, community, worship, and inheritance converge. From Eden’s garden-sanctuary to the New Jerusalem, God repeatedly frames redemption in terms of dwelling with His people. In the New Testament the term occurs ninety-five times, serving as a narrative backdrop, a social unit, a metaphor for discipleship, and a promise of eternal fellowship. Old Testament Roots and Septuagint Bridge The Hebrew “bayit” is rendered by the same Greek family of words in the Septuagint, preparing first-century readers to hear “house” as carrying covenantal weight: Noah’s household is saved, Abraham is promised a “house” (dynasty), the Passover lamb is eaten “in each house,” and the Temple is called “the house of the Lord.” This background lies behind New Testament usage, where physical dwellings continually point beyond themselves to covenant realities. Narrative Settings in the Gospels and Acts 1. Homes as places of revelation: “When they had come into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary” (Matthew 2:11). The Incarnation is first adored indoors, hinting that ordinary spaces can host extraordinary grace. Symbol of Family and Relational Identity The term naturally gathers around it spouses, children, servants, and extended kin. Hence statements such as “a house divided against itself cannot stand” (Mark 3:25) speak simultaneously of architecture and relationship. Salvation is announced to “you and your household” (Acts 16:32), underscoring God’s concern for relational webs, not only individuals. Hospitality, Table-Fellowship, and Evangelism Banquets in homes—Matthew’s house (Matthew 9:10), Levi’s house (Mark 2:15), Lazarus’ house in Bethany (John 12:3)—advance ministry by gathering seekers and skeptics around a shared meal. “Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide” (Luke 10:7) establishes reciprocity: disciples depend on hosts while hosts receive the peace of Christ (Luke 10:5). Households as Embryonic Churches Before public church buildings existed, the house itself became ecclesial space: Thus the domestic sphere becomes the primary venue for worship, catechesis, and mutual care. Parabolic and Didactic Functions 1. Wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:48-49). Stability of a literal house illustrates life-foundations built on obedience or disobedience. Household Codes and Christian Ethics Pastoral letters integrate faith and daily conduct under the roof: Eschatological and Heavenly Dimensions Jesus consoles His disciples: “In My Father’s house are many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Paul echoes: “If the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven” (2 Corinthians 5:1). The temporal residence points toward a permanent, unmarred communion with God. Pastoral and Practical Ministry Applications • Family worship: The frequency of house-based ministry urges intentional Scripture reading and prayer at home. Selected Key References for Study Matthew 5:15; Matthew 7:24-27; Matthew 12:29; John 4:53; John 14:2; Acts 10:6; Acts 16:32-34; Acts 18:7; 1 Corinthians 16:15; 2 Corinthians 5:1; 2 Timothy 2:20; 2 Timothy 3:6; 2 John 10. Forms and Transliterations οικια οικία οἰκία οἰκίᾳ οικίαι οικίαις οικιαν οικίαν οἰκίαν οικιας οικιάς οικίας οἰκίας οικιων οικιών οικίων οικϊων οἰκιῶν οίκους oikia oikía oikíāi oikian oikían oikias oikías oikion oikiôn oikiōn oikiō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 2:11 N-AFSGRK: εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν εἶδον τὸ NAS: coming into the house they saw KJV: into the house, they saw INT: into the house they found the Matthew 5:15 N-DFS Matthew 7:24 N-AFS Matthew 7:25 N-DFS Matthew 7:26 N-AFS Matthew 7:27 N-DFS Matthew 8:6 N-DFS Matthew 8:14 N-AFS Matthew 9:10 N-DFS Matthew 9:23 N-AFS Matthew 9:28 N-AFS Matthew 10:12 N-AFS Matthew 10:13 N-NFS Matthew 10:14 N-GFS Matthew 12:25 N-NFS Matthew 12:29 N-AFS Matthew 12:29 N-AFS Matthew 13:1 N-GFS Matthew 13:36 N-AFS Matthew 13:57 N-DFS Matthew 17:25 N-AFS Matthew 19:29 N-AFP Matthew 23:14 Noun-AFP Matthew 24:17 N-GFS Matthew 24:43 N-AFS Strong's Greek 3614 |
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