Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, the term "inhabitant" refers to a person or group of people residing in a particular place, often with a focus on their relationship to the land, city, or nation they occupy. The concept of inhabitants is significant in Scripture, as it often relates to God's promises, judgments, and the moral and spiritual state of a people.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word most commonly translated as "inhabitant" is יָשַׁב (yashab), which means to sit, dwell, or remain. This term is frequently used to describe the people living in the Promised Land, as well as those in surrounding nations. For example, in Genesis 13:12, we read, "Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom." Here, the inhabitants of Canaan and Sodom are distinguished by their dwelling places and lifestyles. The inhabitants of the land often play a crucial role in the unfolding narrative of Israel's history. In Deuteronomy 7:1-2, God commands the Israelites to drive out the inhabitants of the land He is giving them: "When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations... you must destroy them totally." This command underscores the importance of the Israelites maintaining spiritual purity and avoiding the idolatrous practices of the land's previous inhabitants. Prophetic Warnings and Judgments The prophets frequently addressed the inhabitants of various regions, warning them of impending judgment due to their sins. For instance, in Isaiah 24:1, the prophet declares, "Behold, the LORD lays waste to the earth and leaves it in ruins; He will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants." This passage highlights the consequences of disobedience and the universal scope of God's judgment. Similarly, Jeremiah 25:29 warns, "For behold, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears My name, and will you indeed go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, declares the LORD of Hosts." Here, the inhabitants of the earth are collectively held accountable for their actions, emphasizing the global reach of divine justice. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the Greek word κατοικέω (katoikeo) is often used to describe inhabitants. This term appears in contexts that highlight both physical and spiritual dwelling. For example, in Acts 17:26, Paul speaks of God's sovereignty over the nations: "From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands." The New Testament also emphasizes the spiritual aspect of being an inhabitant. In Ephesians 2:19, Paul writes, "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household." Here, believers are described as inhabitants of God's spiritual kingdom, highlighting their new identity in Christ. Eschatological Significance The concept of inhabitants takes on an eschatological dimension in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 3:10, Jesus promises the church in Philadelphia, "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." The phrase "those who dwell on the earth" often refers to unbelievers who are subject to God's final judgment. In Revelation 21:3, the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell with His people is revealed: "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 passage encapsulates the hope of eternal communion with God for the inhabitants of the new heaven and new earth. Throughout Scripture, the term "inhabitant" serves as a reminder of the temporal and spiritual realities of dwelling, both in the physical world and in the presence of God. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) One who dwells or resides permanently in a place, as distinguished from a transient lodger or visitor; as, an inhabitant of a house, a town, a city, county, or state.2. (n.) One who has a legal settlement in a town, city, or parish; a permanent resident. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia INHABIT; INHABITANTin-hab'-it, in-hab'-it-ant (yashabh, "to sit," "remain, "dwell," "inhabit" shakhen, "to settle down" "tabernacle," "dwell"; katoikeo, "to settle," "dwell"): See DWELL. The verb "to inhabit," now used only transitively, had once an intransitive meaning as well. Compare Cowper, Olney Hymns, XIV, Greek 2415. Hierosolumites -- an inhabitant of Jer. ... 2414, 2415. Hierosolumites. 2416 . an inhabitant of Jer. ... of Jerusalem. From Hierosoluma; a Hierosolymite, ie Inhabitant of Hierosolyma -- of Jerusalem. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2415.htm - 7k 5183. Turios -- a Tyrian, an inhabitant of Tyre 3536. Nineuites -- a Ninevite, an inhabitant of Ninevah 491. Antiocheus -- an Antiochian, an inhabitant of Antioch 3934. Parthos -- a Parthian, an inhabitant of Parthia 3480. Nazoraios -- a Nazarene, an inhabitant of Nazareth 3110. Makedon -- a Macedonian, an inhabitant of Macedonia 4541. Samarites -- a Samaritan, an inhabitant of the region of ... 3370. Medos -- a Mede, Median, an inhabitant of Media 3479. Nazarenos -- a Nazarene, an inhabitant of Nazareth Strong's Hebrew 7934. shaken -- inhabitant, neighbor... shaken. 7935 . inhabitant, neighbor. Transliteration: shaken Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-kane') Short Definition: neighbors. ... inhabitant, neighbor, nigh. ... /hebrew/7934.htm - 6k 6722. Tsidoni -- an inhabitant of Sidon 1663. Gitti -- an inhabitant of Gath 796. Ashdodi -- an inhabitant of Ashdod 1526. Giloni -- an inhabitant of Giloh 8170. Shaalboni -- perhaps an inhabitant of Shaalbim 1395. Gibathi -- an inhabitant of Gibath (or Gibeah) 1030. Beth-hashshimshi -- an inhabitant of Bethshemesh 1017. Beth Haeli -- an inhabitant of Bethel 761. Arammi -- an inhabitant of Aram (Syria) Library The Inhabitant of the Rock On the Words of the Gospel, John v. 19, "The Son Can do Nothing of ... John Chapter ii. 4-Jan The Important Question Healing a Phoenician Woman's Daughter. On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. x. 28, "Be not Afraid of them ... Chapter viii. The Pearl. We Arrive Now at a Branch of Our Subject Upon which the Lord's ... Acts 17:16-17. Athens. Thesaurus Inhabitant (54 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) One who dwells or resides permanently in a place, as distinguished from a transient lodger or visitor; as, an inhabitant of a house, a town, a city ... /i/inhabitant.htm - 25k Zaanan (1 Occurrence) Deserted (54 Occurrences) Desolation (131 Occurrences) Inhabit (29 Occurrences) Za'anan (1 Occurrence) Jackals (20 Occurrences) Lair (8 Occurrences) Galilean (5 Occurrences) Ezel (3 Occurrences) Resources Who were the Galileans in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is Jesus often referred to as Jesus of Nazareth? | GotQuestions.org Inhabitant: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Inhabitant (54 Occurrences)Matthew 27:57 Genesis 36:20 Genesis 50:11 Exodus 34:12 Exodus 34:15 Numbers 14:14 Judges 11:21 2 Samuel 5:6 Job 28:4 Psalms 68:12 Psalms 99:1 Isaiah 5:3 Isaiah 5:9 Isaiah 6:11 Isaiah 9:9 Isaiah 12:6 Isaiah 20:6 Isaiah 22:21 Isaiah 24:17 Isaiah 26:21 Isaiah 30:19 Isaiah 33:24 Jeremiah 2:15 Jeremiah 4:7 Jeremiah 9:11 Jeremiah 10:17 Jeremiah 17:6 Jeremiah 21:13 Jeremiah 22:23 Jeremiah 26:9 Jeremiah 33:10 Jeremiah 34:22 Jeremiah 44:22 Jeremiah 46:19 Jeremiah 48:9 Jeremiah 48:18 Jeremiah 48:19 Jeremiah 48:43 Jeremiah 50:3 Jeremiah 51:29 Jeremiah 51:35 Jeremiah 51:37 Ezekiel 7:7 Amos 1:5 Amos 1:8 Micah 1:11 Micah 1:12 Micah 1:13 Micah 1:15 Zephaniah 2:5 Zephaniah 3:6 Zechariah 12:7 Zechariah 12:8 Zechariah 12:10 Subtopics Related Terms Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences) Kir'iath-se'pher (4 Occurrences) Kiriath-sepher (4 Occurrences) |
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