κατοικέω (katoikeō)
katoikeō
to dwell
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 41 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb katoikeō describes settling in a place to live, carrying a sense of permanence that goes beyond temporary lodging. Its components suggest staying "down" or "within" a dwelling, which aligns with its frequent use in the Septuagint for the Hebrew word yashab. In the New Testament, it appears forty-one times, often marking where people establish their homes or where divine presence resides.
This word distinguishes long-term residents from sojourners. It describes Jesus moving to Nazareth (Matthew 2:23) and Paul noting how God appointed nations to dwell on the earth (Acts 17:26). The sources highlight its use for demons returning to a house (Matthew 12:45), emphasizing that this dwelling implies a stable, ongoing presence rather than a brief visit.
Significantly, katoikeō is also applied to spiritual realities. It describes Christ living in believers’ hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:17) and the fullness of deity dwelling bodily in Jesus (Colossians 2:9). This usage shows how the term bridges physical habitation and theological indwelling, portraying God’s presence as a settled, abiding reality within creation and believers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word katoikeō carries the weight of permanence. It is not about a brief visit or a temporary stopover; it describes settling down, establishing roots, and making a place truly one's own. When we read that Jesus lived in Nazareth, we see God entering into the ordinary rhythm of daily life. He did not hover above us from a distance but took up residence among us, sharing in our routines, our struggles, and our community.
This sense of settled presence is deeply comforting. It reminds us that God is not distant or transient. In Christ, the divine fullness dwells bodily, and through faith, He makes His home within your heart. This is a stable, abiding reality. You are not an afterthought to a wandering deity; you are part of a household where God has chosen to stay.
Consider how this changes your view of your own life. Just as God dwells in believers, your body and your daily circumstances become the temple of His presence. This is not a fleeting emotion but a permanent residence. It invites you to live with the confidence that you are never alone, for the One who created the world has chosen to dwell within you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 41 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- dwelling18×
- inhabiting7×
- he dwelt3×
- to dwell2×
- they dwell2×
- dwells.2×
- dwells,2×
- you dwell,1×
- is dwelling1×
- having dwelt1×
- dwells1×
- dwelling [there]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κατοικοῦντες9×
- κατοικοῦντας9×
- κατοικοῦσιν6×
- κατῴκησεν3×
- κατοικῆσαι3×
- κατοικεῖ3×
- κατοικούντων2×
- κατοικεῖ,2×
- κατοικῶν1×
- κατοικήσας1×
- κατοικοῦντι1×
- κατοικεῖτε,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 2:23
and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets that he will be called a Nazarene.
This verse shows Jesus taking up permanent residence in Nazareth, grounding His ministry in a specific, ordinary community rather than a grand capital.
-
Acts 17:26
He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons and the boundaries of their dwellings,
Here the word describes God’s sovereign arrangement of human history, determining the fixed boundaries and seasons where nations settle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between katoikeō and other words for 'live'?
How is this word used in the New Testament?
Does this word imply a temporary stay?
Every Occurrence (41 verses across 8 books)
Matthew 4 verses
and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets that he…
Matthew 4:13Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
Matthew 12:45Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The…
Matthew 23:21He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who has been living in it.