ἐπισκηνόω (episkēnoō)
episkēnoō
to rest upon/dwell
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb episkēnoō describes God’s presence settling upon a person like a tent pitched overhead. It combines a prefix meaning "upon" with a root for "tent," creating an image of intimate, protective shelter. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in 2 Corinthians 12:9, where Paul records Jesus’ response to his plea for relief from suffering.
Jesus declares that His grace is sufficient, adding that His power is made perfect in weakness. The phrase translated as "rest upon" or "dwell" uses this specific verb, suggesting that divine strength does not remove the burden but covers it. Instead of withdrawing from the difficulty, God’s presence takes up residence there, providing support and sustenance.
This usage shifts the focus from the removal of hardship to the reality of companionship within it. The imagery implies that the believer is not left alone in their struggle; rather, they are shaded and held by a power that operates through their limitations. The word captures a dynamic where divine help is experienced as an abiding presence rather than a distant intervention.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word episkēnoō paints a picture of God pitching a tent over your life. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul hears that Christ’s power will rest upon him. This does not mean the struggle disappears. Instead, it means you are never alone in it. God’s presence settles right where you are, offering shade and shelter.
When weakness feels overwhelming, this promise reminds us that divine strength covers our limitations. It is not a distant force but an abiding companion. You can trust that His grace is enough to sustain you through every season, holding you close even when you feel most fragile.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- may rest1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπισκηνώσῃ1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 12:9
He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
This verse uses the word to show that Christ's power settles upon Paul specifically within his weakness, not by removing it.