The meaning of “שָׁכַן”
Understanding shâkan reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
abide, continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-er), have habitation, inhabit, lay, place, (cause to) remain, rest, set (up)...
שָׁכַן
abide, continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-er), have habitation, inhabit, lay, place, (cause to) remain, rest, set (up). - to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively) 1) to settle down, abide, dwell, tabernacle, reside 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to settle down to abide 1a2) to abide, dwell, reside 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make settle down, establish 1b2) to make or cause to dwell 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to lay, place, set, establish, settle, fix 1c2) to cause to dwell or abide
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 25:18 | “And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.” Word: שָׁכַן (shâkan) | |
| Deuteronomy 26:2 | “That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name there.” Word: שָׁכַן (shâkan) | |
| 1 Kings 8:12 | “Then spake Solomon, The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.” Word: שָׁכַן (shâkan) | |
| Job 26:5 | “Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.” Word: שָׁכַן (shâkan) | |
| Jeremiah 33:16 | “In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The Lord our righteousness.” Word: שָׁכַן (shâkan) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Dwell
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: To dwell, tabernacle, sit
The Hebrew shakan (שָׁכַן) means to dwell or tabernacle—the root of Shekinah (divine presence). God promised 'I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God' (Exodus 29:45).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: To dwell, remain, abide
The Greek katoikeo (κατοικέω) means to dwell or settle. 'In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily' (Colossians 2:9). Christ dwells in believers' hearts by faith (Ephesians 3:17).