Lexical Summary skéné: Tent, Tabernacle, Dwelling Original Word: σκηνή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance habitation, tabernacle. Apparently akin to skeuos and skia; a tent or cloth hut (literally or figuratively) -- habitation, tabernacle. see GREEK skia see GREEK skeuos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a tent NASB Translation dwellings (1), tabernacle (15), tabernacles (3), tents (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4633: σκηνήσκηνή, σκηνῆς, ἡ (from the root, ska 'to cover' etc.; cf. σκιά, σκότος, etc.; Latincasa, cassis, castrum; English shade, etc.; Curtius, § 112; Vanicek, p. 1054f), from (Aeschylus), Sophocles and Thucydides down; the Sept. chiefly for אֹהֶל, often also for מִשְׁכָּן, also for סֻכָּה; a tent, tabernacle (made of green boughs, or skins, or other materials): Matthew 17:4; Mark 9:5; Luke 9:33; Hebrews 11:9; αἱ αἰώνιοι σκηναί (see αἰώνιος, 3), Luke 16:9 (et dabo iis tabernacula aeterna quae praeparaveram illis, 4 (5) Esdr. Topical Lexicon Root Concept and Biblical Background The term designates a movable dwelling, ranging in usage from the pastoral tents of the patriarchs to the portable sanctuary of Israel in the wilderness. In Scripture it becomes a theological picture of life’s transience and of God’s willingness to condescend and dwell among His people. The Patriarchal Pilgrimage: Temporary Dwellings of Faith Hebrews 11:9 recalls Abraham who “lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise”. His tented existence models a life that refuses rootedness in the present age while looking ahead to “the city with foundations.” The verse sets the tone for every other New-Testament use: σκηνή signals both impermanence and expectation. The Mosaic Tabernacle: God’s Dwelling Among Israel Acts 7:44 points to “the tabernacle of the testimony” that God commanded Moses to build. Hebrews 9 repeatedly contrasts this earthly tent with the heavenly one: By highlighting ritual limitations, Hebrews elevates Christ, “a minister of the sanctuary and true tabernacle that the Lord, not man, set up” (8:2). Liturgical Typology in Hebrews: Earthly Tent and Heavenly Reality The author uses σκηνή to build a typology of shadow and substance. The earthly tent (9:6, 9:21) points to a superior, heavenly ministry inaugurated by Christ (9:11). The argument both safeguards the continuity of redemptive history and insists on its climax in the once-for-all priestly work of the Son. Mount of Transfiguration: Tents and Misunderstood Glory At the transfiguration Peter blurts out, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, I will put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Matthew 17:4; cf. Mark 9:5; Luke 9:33). Wanting to freeze the moment, he proposes tents, inadvertently equating Messiah with prophets and missing the unique glory that the Father immediately affirms. The scene exposes human impulse to domesticate divine revelation. Hospitality and Eternal Welcome In the parable of the shrewd manager, Jesus says, “Make friends for yourselves with worldly wealth, so that when it is gone, they will welcome you into eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9). Earthly stewardship echoes forward to everlasting σκηναί—a reminder that what is temporary can yield eternal reward. Prophetic Hope: The Restoration of David’s Tent James cites Amos in Acts 15:16: “After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent.” The imagery of a repaired σκηνή assures Gentile inclusion and the completeness of messianic restoration. The temporary shelter becomes a symbol of enduring rule. Eschatological Fulfillment: God’s Dwelling with Humanity Revelation brings the motif to culmination. The beast blasphemes “His tabernacle—those who dwell in heaven” (Revelation 13:6). Yet judgment gives way to promise: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them” (21:3). Finally, “the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened” (15:5). The temporary gives birth to the permanent as God’s presence fully, visibly, eternally inhabits His redeemed creation. Pastoral and Missional Implications 1. Pilgrim mentality: Believers hold possessions lightly, mirroring Abraham’s tented faith. Personal Application Every σκηνή in Scripture whispers the same exhortation: live as sojourners, host the presence of God, invest temporal resources for eternal dwellings, and anticipate the day when the provisional gives way to the permanent glory of God with us. Forms and Transliterations σκη΄νς σκηναί σκηναις σκηναίς σκηναῖς σκηνας σκηνάς σκηνὰς σκηνη σκηνή σκηνὴ σκηνῇ σκηνην σκηνήν σκηνὴν σκηνης σκηνής σκηνῆς σκηνών skenais skenaîs skēnais skēnaîs skenas skenás skenàs skēnas skēnás skēnàs skene skenḕ skēnē skēnḕ skenêi skēnē̂i skenen skenḗn skenḕn skēnēn skēnḗn skēnḕn skenes skenês skēnēs skēnē̂sLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 17:4 N-AFPGRK: ὧδε τρεῖς σκηνάς σοὶ μίαν NAS: three tabernacles here, KJV: here three tabernacles; one for thee, INT: here three tabernacles for you one Mark 9:5 N-AFP Luke 9:33 N-AFP Luke 16:9 N-AFP Acts 7:43 N-AFS Acts 7:44 N-NFS Acts 15:16 N-AFS Hebrews 8:2 N-GFS Hebrews 8:5 N-AFS Hebrews 9:2 N-NFS Hebrews 9:3 N-NFS Hebrews 9:6 N-AFS Hebrews 9:8 N-GFS Hebrews 9:11 N-GFS Hebrews 9:21 N-AFS Hebrews 11:9 N-DFP Hebrews 13:10 N-DFS Revelation 13:6 N-AFS Revelation 15:5 N-GFS Revelation 21:3 N-NFS Strong's Greek 4633 |
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