The concept of a "dwelling place" in the Bible is rich with theological significance, symbolizing both the physical and spiritual presence of God among His people. The term is used to describe various forms of habitation, from the earthly tents and tabernacles to the heavenly abodes promised to believers.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "dwelling place" is "מִשְׁכָּן" (mishkan), which refers to the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wanderings in the wilderness. Exodus 25:8 states, "And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them." This verse underscores the purpose of the Tabernacle as a place where God's presence would reside among His people.

The concept of God dwelling with His people is further emphasized in the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. In 1 Kings 8:13 , Solomon declares, "I have indeed built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell forever." The Temple served as a permanent dwelling place for God's presence, symbolizing His covenant relationship with Israel.

Psalms and Prophetic Literature

The Psalms frequently refer to God as a refuge and dwelling place for His people. Psalm 90:1 proclaims, "Lord, You have been our dwelling place through all generations." This verse highlights the eternal nature of God's protection and presence, transcending physical structures.

Prophetic literature also speaks of a future dwelling place where God will reside with His people. Ezekiel 37:27 promises, "My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be My people." This prophecy points to a restored relationship between God and His people, fulfilled in the New Covenant.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the concept of dwelling takes on a more personal and spiritual dimension. John 1:14 reveals, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." Here, the incarnation of Christ is depicted as God taking up residence among humanity, fulfilling the Old Testament promises of God's presence.

The Apostle Paul expands on this theme by describing believers as the temple of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 3:16 , he writes, "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?" This indicates that the dwelling place of God is no longer confined to a physical structure but is now within the hearts of believers.

Eschatological Hope

The Book of Revelation offers a vision of the ultimate dwelling place of God with His people. Revelation 21:3 declares, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.'" This eschatological promise assures believers of an eternal communion with God in the new heaven and new earth.

In summary, the biblical concept of a dwelling place encompasses God's desire to be present with His people, from the Tabernacle and Temple to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the future hope of eternal fellowship with God.

Chapter xvi
... Even in the matter of a dwellingplace, this antagonistic spirit, brooking no restraint
or interference, shall express itself in his dwelling "over against all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xvi.htm

Chapter xxv
... Besides, we need to know that Isaac's more or less permanent dwellingplace was
the scene of the Angel's appearance to Hagar, Beer-lahai-roi. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxv.htm

The Sunday-School Teacher --A Steward
... that prayer! Make no resolve, but offer a prayer which is better far; and
may you be heard in heaven, the dwellingplace of God. And ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the sunday-school teachera steward.htm

The First General Epistle of Peter
... figurative description of all believers, whether they be Jewish or Gentile Christians,
as sojourners on earth, who have here no abiding dwellingplace, but look ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the first general epistle of.htm

Chapter xxviii
... house," for to him this was at the same time as kindly an experience in spite of
his fear as though he had been allowed to enter God's dwellingplace and meet ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxviii.htm

Dwellingplace (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dwellingplace (2 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians
4:11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst ...
/d/dwellingplace.htm - 7k

Dwelling-place (38 Occurrences)
Dwelling-place. Dwellingplace, Dwelling-place. Dwellingplaces . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (ASV JPS). Dwellingplace, Dwelling-place. Dwellingplaces . ...
/d/dwelling-place.htm - 17k

Dwelling-house (1 Occurrence)
Dwelling-house. Dwelling, Dwelling-house. Dwellingplace . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (ASV DBY JPS WBS YLT). Dwelling, Dwelling-house. Dwellingplace . ...
/d/dwelling-house.htm - 6k

Dragons (17 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). Jeremiah 51:37 And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwellingplace for
dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant. (KJV WBS YLT) ...
/d/dragons.htm - 11k

Buffeted (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 4:11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are
naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; (KJV ASV DBY WBS ...
/b/buffeted.htm - 7k

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