4636. skénos

Lexicon

skénos: Tent, Tabernacle, Dwelling

Original Word: σκῆνος
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: skénos
Pronunciation: SKAY-nos
Phonetic Spelling: (skay'-nos)
Definition: Tent, Tabernacle, Dwelling
Meaning: a tent, tabernacle; fig: of the human body.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

tabernacle.

From skene; a hut or temporary residence, i.e. (figuratively) the human body (as the abode of the spirit) -- tabernacle.

see GREEK skene

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from skéné
Definition
a tent, fig. for the body
NASB Translation
tent (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4636: σκῆνος

σκῆνος, σκήνους, τό (Hippocrates, Plato, others), a tabernacle, a tent, everywhere (except Boeckh, Corpus inscriptions vol. ii., no. 3071) used metaphorically, of the human body, in which the soul dwells as in a tent, and which is taken down at death: 2 Corinthians 5:4; ἡ ἐπίγειος ἡμῶν οἰκία τοῦ σκήνους, i. e. ho esti τό σκῆνος (Winers Grammar, § 59, 7 d., 8 a.), which is the well-known tent, ibid. 1 (R. V. the earthly house of our tabernacle). Cf. Wis. 9:15 and Grimm at the passage; in the same sense in (Plato) Tim. Locr., p. 100ff and often in other philosophic writings; cf. Fischer, Index to Aeschines dial. Socrates; Passow, under the word; (Field, Otium Norv. pars iii., p. 113 (on 2 Corinthians 5:1)).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb σκήνω (skēnō), meaning "to pitch a tent" or "to dwell."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of a temporary dwelling or tent in the Hebrew Bible is often represented by the word אֹהֶל (ohel, Strong's Hebrew 168), which is used to describe the tabernacle or tent of meeting. Another related term is מִשְׁכָּן (mishkan, Strong's Hebrew 4908), referring to the dwelling place or tabernacle, particularly in the context of God's presence among His people. These Hebrew terms share thematic connections with σκῆνος, emphasizing the temporary and sacred nature of dwelling places in biblical theology.

Usage: The term σκῆνος is used in the New Testament to convey the concept of a temporary dwelling place, often in reference to the human body as a transient vessel for the spirit. It emphasizes the temporary nature of earthly life in contrast to eternal life.

Context: The Greek word σκῆνος (skēnos) appears in the New Testament to illustrate the transient nature of human existence. In 2 Corinthians 5:1, the Apostle Paul uses σκῆνος to describe the human body as a "tent," highlighting its temporary and fragile nature: "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands" (BSB). This metaphor underscores the Christian belief in the impermanence of earthly life and the hope of an eternal, heavenly dwelling.

The imagery of a tent is significant in biblical literature, often associated with the nomadic lifestyle of the patriarchs and the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. It conveys a sense of pilgrimage and the anticipation of a permanent home. In the New Testament, this concept is expanded to reflect the Christian's journey through life, with the promise of a permanent, glorified body in the resurrection.

The use of σκῆνος also connects to the broader biblical theme of God's presence with His people. In the Old Testament, the tabernacle (σκηνή, skēnē) was the dwelling place of God among the Israelites. In the New Testament, the believer's body is seen as a temple of the Holy Spirit, further emphasizing the sacredness of the human body as a temporary dwelling for the divine presence.

Forms and Transliterations

σκηνει σκήνει σκηνους σκήνους skenei skēnei skḗnei skenous skēnous skḗnous

Englishman's Concordance

2 Corinthians 5:1 N-GNS
GRK: οἰκία τοῦ σκήνους καταλυθῇ οἰκοδομὴν
NAS: the earthly tent which is our house
KJV: house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved,
INT: house of the tabernacle be destroyed a building

2 Corinthians 5:4 N-DNS
GRK: ἐν τῷ σκήνει στενάζομεν βαρούμενοι
NAS: while we are in this tent, we groan,
KJV: in [this] tabernacle do groan,
INT: in the tabernacle we groan being burdened

Strong's Greek 4636
2 Occurrences

σκήνει — 1 Occ.
σκήνους — 1 Occ.