Lexical Summary sheken: To dwell, to abide, to reside Original Word: שְׁכַן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance cause to dwell, have habitation (Aramaic) corresponding to shakan -- cause to dwell, have habitation. see HEBREW shakan NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to shakan Definition to dwell NASB Translation dwell (1), lodged (1). Topical Lexicon Essential IdeaThe verb שְׁכַן (shĕkan) pictures a person, people, animal, or—most importantly—God Himself taking up settled residence. It conveys more than temporary lodging; it suggests rooted continuity, protection, stability, and the enjoyment of covenant privileges within an allotted sphere. Biblical Occurrences King Darius concludes his decree for the rebuilding of the Second Temple with a solemn appeal: “May God, who has caused His Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to alter this decree”. The Aramaic verb shĕkan supports the theological conviction that the LORD’s covenant Name not only “appears” at the Temple but is actively, permanently residing there as the source of its holiness. Nebuchadnezzar describes the great tree of his dream, “under which the beasts of the field found shelter, and in whose branches the birds of the air lived”. Here shĕkan depicts creatures abiding securely beneath the tree’s generous canopy. The image sets the stage for the prophet’s interpretation: true security is found not in imperial might but in humble submission to “the Most High who rules the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:25). Theological Themes 1. Divine Residence 2. Covenant Security 3. Holiness of Place and People Historical Context Ezra 6:12 appears in an Aramaic memorandum from Darius I (circa 520 BC). The pagan king acknowledges Israel’s God as the ultimate guarantor of the decree. The use of shĕkan in a royal proclamation highlights the impression Israel’s theology had made upon imperial courts: the exile had not displaced the LORD; He had simply moved His dwelling from Jerusalem into the hearts and hopes of His scattered people until the Temple could rise again. Daniel 4 belongs to the Aramaic portion of Daniel (chapters 2–7), written for a Gentile milieu. Shĕkan in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream offers a cross-cultural bridge: the universal human longing for secure dwelling finds its answer only in the Most High. Intertextual Connections • Exodus 29:45–46 – The LORD promises to “dwell among the Israelites,” forming the taproot for later Temple theology. Applications for Ministry and Discipleship 1. Worship – Shĕkan reminds congregations that corporate gatherings are not mere meetings; they are places where God delights to inhabit the praises of His people. Summary Shĕkan (Strong’s 7932) occurs only twice, yet it opens a window onto the heart of biblical revelation: the covenant God who wills to take up residence among His people, guaranteeing their security and calling them into holy fellowship. From the restored Temple of Ezra’s day to the global Church and the New Jerusalem, Scripture weaves a single, unbroken account of divine dwelling, all implicit in this concise Aramaic verb. Forms and Transliterations יִשְׁכְּנָ֖ן ישכנן שַׁכִּ֧ן שכן šak·kin šakkin shakKin yiš·kə·nān yishkeNan yiškənānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 6:12 HEB: וֵֽאלָהָ֞א דִּ֣י שַׁכִּ֧ן שְׁמֵ֣הּ תַּמָּ֗ה NAS: has caused His name to dwell there KJV: that hath caused his name to dwell there INT: may the God who to dwell his name there Daniel 4:21 2 Occurrences |
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