Topical Encyclopedia
The term "inhabit" in the Bible refers to the act of dwelling or residing in a particular place. It is often used to describe the presence of people or nations in a specific land or territory. The concept of inhabitation is significant in biblical narratives, as it frequently relates to God's promises, judgments, and the fulfillment of His divine plans.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word most commonly translated as "inhabit" is יָשַׁב (yashab), which means to sit, dwell, or remain. This term is used extensively to describe the settlement of the Israelites in the Promised Land. For example, in
Deuteronomy 11:31, Moses instructs the Israelites: "For you are about to cross the Jordan to enter and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you. When you have taken it over and are living there" . Here, inhabiting the land is directly linked to the fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The concept of inhabitation also carries a moral and spiritual dimension. In
Leviticus 18:25, the land is described as becoming defiled by the inhabitants' sins, leading to divine judgment: "The land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants" . This illustrates the idea that the moral conduct of a land's inhabitants can affect their right to dwell there.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the Greek word κατοικέω (katoikeo) is often used to denote inhabitation. This term appears in contexts that emphasize both physical and spiritual dwelling. For instance, 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" . This passage underscores the belief that God has ordained the habitation of nations according to His divine plan.
In a spiritual sense, the New Testament also speaks of God inhabiting the lives of believers.
Ephesians 3:17 states, "so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love" . Here, the indwelling of Christ is portrayed as a transformative presence that shapes the believer's life and character.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the concept of inhabitation in the Bible is closely tied to themes of divine promise, judgment, and presence. The inhabitation of the Promised Land by the Israelites is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Conversely, the expulsion of inhabitants due to sin serves as a warning of divine judgment.
Moreover, the New Testament expands the idea of inhabitation to include the spiritual realm, where God desires to dwell within His people. This indwelling is not limited to a physical location but is a personal and intimate relationship between God and believers, facilitated by the Holy Spirit.
In summary, the biblical concept of inhabitation encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, reflecting God's sovereign will and His desire for a holy and faithful people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To live or dwell in; to occupy, as a place of settled residence; as, wild beasts inhabit the forest; men inhabit cities and houses.
2. (v. i.) To have residence in a place; to dwell; to live; to abide.
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"): SeeDWELL. The verb "to inhabit," now used only transitively, had once an intransitive meaning as well. Compare Cowper, Olney Hymns, XIV,
"Who built it, who inhabits there?"
So in1 Chronicles 5:9 the King James Version, "And eastward he inhabited unto the entering in of the wilderness" (but the Revised Version (British and American) "dwelt"). We have the obsolete inhabiters for "inhabitants" inRevelation 8:13 the King James Version (but the Revised Version (British and American) "them that dwell") andRevelation 12:12 the King James Version (but omitted in the Revised Version (British and American)). The rare inhabitress (feminine) is found only inJeremiah 10:17 margin; "the church called the inhabitress of the gardens" (Bishop Richardson).
D. Miall Edwards
Greek
3611. oikeo -- toinhabit, to dwell... to
inhabit, to dwell. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: oikeo Phonetic Spelling:
(oy-keh'-o) Short Definition: I
inhabit, dwell Definition: I
inhabit, dwell
...2730. katoikeo -- toinhabit, to settle
... toinhabit, to settle. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katoikeo Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-oy-keh'-o) Short Definition: I dwell in, settle in,inhabit...
1774. enoikeo -- to dwell in
... dwell in. From en and oikeo; toinhabit (figuratively) -- dwell in. see GREEK en.
see GREEK oikeo. (enoikeito) -- 1 Occurrence. (enoikeso) -- 1 Occurrence....
3485. naos -- a temple
... Word Origin probably akin to naio (toinhabit) Definition a temple NASB Word Usage
shrines (1), temple (42), temple sanctuary (1), temples (1). shrine, temple....
3625. oikoumene -- the inhabited earth
... regarded as of no account. 3625 (from 3611 , "toinhabit, dwell") -- the earth,
ie all living on the globe. [3625 () is "the land that...
Strong's Hebrew
3427. yashab -- to sit, remain, dwell... abide (5), abides (2), abode (1), convened (1), dwell (61), dweller (1), dwelling
(20), dwells (12), dwelt (9), enthroned (9), had (1),
inhabit (6), inhabitant
...7931. shakan -- to settle down, abide, dwell
... stay (1), staying (1). abide, continue, cause to, make to dweller, have
habitation,inhabit, lay, place,. A primitive root (apparently...
Library
To Sit in the Throne of God is toInhabit Eternity
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 72 To sit in the Throne of God is toinhabit Eternity.
To sit in the Throne of God is toinhabit Eternity. To...
How Apuleius Defines the Gods who Dwell in Heaven, the Demons who...
... Book IX. Chapter 8."How Apuleius Defines the Gods Who Dwell in Heaven,
the Demons Who Occupy the Air, and Men WhoInhabit Earth....
Against the Platonists, who Argue from the Physical Weight of the...
... Book XXII. Chapter 11."Against the Platonists, Who Argue from the Physical Weight
of the Elements that an Earthly Body CannotInhabit Heaven....
Of the Opinion of those who have Said that Rational Souls are of...
... Men have been placed below the gods and demons, both in respect of the order of
the regions theyinhabit, and the difference of their merits....
Psalm XLIX.
... world all the just. For he dothinhabit who is not held fast: but he that
is occupied is inhabited, and doth notinhabit. Just as he...
Verse the Seventeenth
... I prove the first part of this, both from the very signification of the word to
inhabit or dwell, and from the familiar usage of the Scriptures.5. Concerning...
God Rejoicing in the New Creation
... They shall build houses, andinhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards,
and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and...
After all the Modern Clatter of Calvinism, Therefore, it is Only...
... It may be that the Highlanders are poetical because theyinhabit mountains;
but are the Swiss prosaic because theyinhabit mountains?...
The South Country. Judea Called 'the South,' in Respect of Galilee...
... And to our brethren, thatinhabit the Upper South Country, and thatinhabit
the Nether South Country, health: we certify you," &c....
He Endeavours to Prove this Opinion from Isaiah and the Apocalypse...
... And they shall build houses, and shall themselvesinhabit them; and they shall plant
vines, and shall themselves eat the produce of them, and drink the wine....
Thesaurus
Inhabit (29 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To live or dwell in; to occupy, as a place of settled residence; as, wild
beasts
inhabit the forest; men
inhabit cities and houses.
...INHABIT; INHABITANT.
...Inhabitant (54 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.INHABIT; INHABITANT.... The verb "toinhabit," now
used only transitively, had once an intransitive meaning as well....
Dwell (474 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To abide; to remain; to continue. 3. (vi) To abide as a permanent resident,
or for a time; to live in a place; to reside. 4. (vt) Toinhabit. Int....
Vineyards (55 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Isaiah 65:21 They shall build houses, andinhabit them; and they
shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. (WEB...
Psychology
... It reminds us of Vergil (AEneid vi.713), who makes the souls-destined by the Fates
toinhabit new bodies on earth-drink of the waters of Lethe (forgetfulness...
Elamites (2 Occurrences)
... wild dogs, however, still exist. Numbers of porcupinesinhabit the brushwood
by the rivers and marshes. Among the birds which do...
Plant (92 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS YLT RSV). Isaiah 65:21 They shall build houses, andinhabit
them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them....
Elam (24 Occurrences)
... wild dogs, however, still exist. Numbers of porcupinesinhabit the brushwood
by the rivers and marshes. Among the birds which do...
Inhabited (64 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) ofInhabit. 2. (a.) Uninhabited.
Multi-Version Concordance Inhabited (64 Occurrences). Luke...
Use (620 Occurrences)
... 15. (vi) To be accustomed to go; to frequent; toinhabit; to dwell; -- sometimes
followed by of. Multi-Version Concordance Use (620 Occurrences)....
Resources
What are jinn? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about the pre-existence of souls? | GotQuestions.orgWill we sleep in heaven? | GotQuestions.orgInhabit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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