Topical Encyclopedia
Inhabiting, within the biblical context, refers to the act of dwelling or residing in a particular place. This concept is significant throughout the Scriptures, as it often denotes not only physical presence but also spiritual and covenantal implications. The Bible frequently uses the term to describe God's relationship with His people, the occupation of the Promised Land, and the presence of God among His creation.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the concept of inhabiting is closely tied to the land promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Israelites' journey from Egypt to Canaan is a central narrative that underscores the importance of inhabiting the land as a fulfillment of God's promises. In
Exodus 6:8 , God declares, "And I will bring you to the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD."
The act of inhabiting the land is not merely a physical occupation but also involves living according to God's laws and statutes.
Leviticus 18:3-5 instructs the Israelites, "You must not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, or follow the practices of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. You must not walk in their customs. You are to practice My judgments and keep My statutes by walking in them. I am the LORD your God."
The concept of inhabiting also extends to God's presence among His people. In
Exodus 29:45-46 , God promises, "Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. And they will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the idea of inhabiting takes on a more spiritual dimension. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers is a key theme, signifying God's presence within His people. In
John 14:17 , Jesus speaks of the Spirit of truth, "The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you."
The apostle Paul further elaborates on this concept in
1 Corinthians 3:16 , "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?" This indwelling presence signifies a new covenant relationship, where believers are called to live holy lives as the temple of God.
Eschatological ImplicationsThe theme of inhabiting also carries eschatological significance. The book of Revelation describes the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell with His people.
Revelation 21:3 proclaims, "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 future reality points to the restoration of the perfect communion between God and humanity, as originally intended in the Garden of Eden. The new heaven and new earth will be the ultimate habitation where God and His people will dwell together eternally.
ConclusionInhabiting, as presented in the Bible, encompasses more than mere physical residence. It involves a covenantal relationship with God, adherence to His commandments, and the indwelling of His Spirit. From the Promised Land to the New Jerusalem, the concept of inhabiting reflects God's desire to be with His people and His plan for their ultimate redemption and communion with Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Inhabit.
Strong's Hebrew
6728. tsiyyi -- wild beast of the desert, that dwell ininhabiting...... tsiyyi. 6729 . wild beast of the desert, that dwell in
inhabiting the wilderness.
Transliteration: tsiyyi Phonetic Spelling: (tsee-ee') Short Definition: desert
...3427. yashab -- to sit, remain, dwell
... 12), dwelt (9), enthroned (9), had (1), inhabit (6), inhabitant (27), inhabitants
(202), inhabitants of dwell (1), inhabited (25),inhabiting (1), inhabits (1...
Library
Of the JewsInhabiting Dio-C??sarea in Palestine.
... Book II. Chapter XXXIII."Of the Jewsinhabiting Dio-C??sarea in Palestine.
About the same time there arose another intestine commotion...
Verse the Seventeenth
... a reply to it.3. The second argument and a reply.4. An argument from this verse
in favour of true opinion.5. On the word dwelling, orinhabiting, according to...
The Meaning
... red seven-headed dragon with Michael," comprises the same period as the measured
court of the ecclesiastical state, in which the dragon,inhabiting the Roman...
The Manners of the Christians.
... But,inhabiting Greek as well as barbarian cities, according as the lot of each
of them has determined, and following the customs of the natives in respect to...
"He Ascended into Heaven:" Believe. "He Sitteth at the Right Hand...
... And yet they are called seats (sedes). In this way, then, believe aninhabiting
of Christ on the right hand of God the Father: He is there....
The Reality of Christ's Passion.
... reality. For that which is false is quite abhorrent to the truth. Mary then
did truly conceive a body which had Godinhabiting it. And...
Her Majesty's Ship "Assistance"
... He was one of a tribeinhabiting the country in the vicinity of Wolstenholme Sound,
at the head of Baffin's Bay, in 76 deg.3' north latitude, the nearest...
Prefatory Note.
... and glad, to say that no man was ever better placed than he was for gaining a thorough
acquaintance with Hindustan and the various racesinhabiting it, during...
Seventeenth Day. Humility.
... His feet. But the High and the Lofty One,inhabiting eternity, is on earth
"as one that serveth!" "That infinite stoop! it sinks...
The Song of the Three Holy Children.
... immediately concerned, wind and dew being placed next to fire and heat (42-51);
then the earth [5] and its natural features, and the animalsinhabiting it, are...
Thesaurus
Inhabiting (23 Occurrences)...Inhabiting (23 Occurrences).
... Genesis 4:20 And Adah beareth Jabal, he hath been father
of those
inhabiting tents and purchased possessions; (YLT).
...Cherubs (52 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 4:4 And the people sendeth to Shiloh, and they take up thence the ark of
the covenant of Jehovah of Hosts,inhabiting the cherubs, and there 'are' two...
Jackal (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Any one of several species of carnivorous animals
inhabiting Africa and Asia, related to the dog and wolf....
Girgashite (7 Occurrences)
... Dwelling in clayey soil, the descendants of the fifth son of Canaan (Genesis
10:16), one of the original tribesinhabiting the land of Canaan before the time...
Philistines (224 Occurrences)
... In the whole record from Exodus to Samuel they are represented asinhabiting the
tract of country which lay between Judea and Egypt (Exodus 13:17; 15:14, 15...
Wild (147 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Living in a state of nature;inhabiting natural haunts, as the forest
or open field; not familiar with, or not easily approached by, man; not...
Habitation (90 Occurrences)
... them. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The act ofinhabiting; state of
inhabiting or dwelling, or of being inhabited; occupancy. 2...
Inhabitress (12 Occurrences)
Youths (28 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:27 And the youths grew, and Esau is a man acquainted 'with' hunting,
a man of the field; and Jacob 'is' a plain man,inhabiting tents; (YLT)....
Kenites (8 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Smiths, the name of a tribeinhabiting the desert
lying between southern Palestine and the mountains of Sinai....
Resources
What is a python spirit? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is "the devil made me do it" not a valid excuse? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about fertility? | GotQuestions.orgInhabiting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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