ἐγκατοικέω (egkatoikeō)
egkatoikeō
to live among
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb egkatoikeō describes living within a place or among people, carrying the sense of permanent residence rather than a temporary stay. It combines the prefix en- ("in") with katoikeō ("to dwell"), emphasizing that the subject has taken up home in a specific location.
Scripture uses this word only once, in 2 Peter 2:8, to describe Lot as "righteous" who lived among the corrupt citizens of Sodom. The term highlights his physical presence within a morally hostile environment, underscoring the tension between his upright character and the wickedness surrounding him.
Translators typically render this verb as "lived among" or "dwelt in." This usage distinguishes it from words that might imply visiting or passing through, focusing instead on the sustained reality of inhabiting a space while remaining distinct from its dominant culture.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word egkatoikeō describes a permanent residence, not a brief visit. It combines the ideas of being 'in' and 'dwelling,' suggesting that someone has truly taken up home in a specific place. This implies a sustained presence where one is fully immersed in the local environment, rather than just passing through or staying temporarily.
In 2 Peter 2:8, this term describes Lot living among the people of Sodom. It highlights the tension of being physically present in a morally hostile setting while maintaining an upright character. This reminds us that faithfulness often involves enduring the daily friction of living in a world that does not share our values.
Your own life may feel like a similar residence. You are called to live among others, engaging with your community even when it feels difficult or corrupt. This word encourages you to remain steadfast in your integrity, knowing that God sees your righteous heart even when the surrounding culture is chaotic.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- dwelling1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐγκατοικῶν1×
Key Verses
-
II Peter 2:8
(for that righteous man dwelling among them was tormented in his righteous soul from day to day with seeing and hearing lawless deeds),
This occurrence uniquely portrays Lot's daily torment as a righteous man enduring the lawless deeds of Sodom, emphasizing the weight of sustained proximity to evil.