ναός (naos)
naos
temple
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 40 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word naos refers to a temple, specifically the sacred building or shrine where a deity dwells. Derived from a root meaning "to inhabit," it emphasizes the structure as a dwelling place rather than just a piece of architecture. In the New Testament, it most often describes the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, but also appears in references to pagan shrines and in metaphorical descriptions of spiritual realities.
A key distinction in biblical usage is that naos typically denotes the inner sanctuary or the building proper, whereas the related word hieron refers to the entire temple complex with its courts and grounds. This nuance is visible when Jesus speaks of destroying "this temple" (naos) in John 2:19, referring to his own body, and later clarifies that he meant the temple of his body. Paul similarly uses naos to describe believers as God’s temple in 1 Corinthians 3:16, highlighting the intimate presence of God within the community.
The word carries significant theological weight by connecting physical space with spiritual truth. In Revelation, John frequently uses naos to depict the heavenly sanctuary, such as in Revelation 11:19 where the temple of God is opened in heaven. This usage reinforces the idea that the earthly temple was a shadow of a greater, eternal reality where God resides among his people.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word naos points to the innermost sanctuary, the specific place where God’s presence dwells. In the New Testament, this concept shifts from a stone building in Jerusalem to the people of God themselves. When Paul writes that believers are God’s temple, he reminds us that the divine presence is not confined to architecture but lives within the community of faith and even within each person.
This truth offers profound comfort. You do not need to travel to a distant holy site to encounter the sacred; the Spirit resides with you. It also calls us to treat our bodies and our relationships with reverence, knowing they are inhabited by God. This perspective transforms how we view daily life, seeing ordinary moments as part of a holy dwelling.
Jesus’ reference to his body as the temple in John 2:19 highlights that true worship is now centered on him. Through faith, we share in this reality. The separation between heaven and earth is bridged, allowing us to live in constant awareness of God’s nearness. This connection invites a life of gratitude and careful stewardship of the gift of spiritual life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 40 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- temple36×
- temples2×
- a temple2×
- [the] temple2×
- the temple1×
- temple.1×
- temple,1×
- shrines1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ναὸν13×
- ναοῦ11×
- ναὸς10×
- ναῷ6×
- ναοῖς2×
- ναῷ.1×
- ναῷ,1×
- ναοῦ,1×
- ναοὺς1×
Key Verses
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John 2:19
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
Jesus redefines the temple as his own body, shifting the focus from a physical structure to his person and resurrection.
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I Corinthians 3:16
Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?
Paul identifies the collective church as God's temple, emphasizing that the Spirit dwells within the community of believers.
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I Corinthians 6:19
Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
This verse extends the temple imagery to the individual body, highlighting personal holiness and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
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II Corinthians 6:16
What agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their God and they will be my people.”
Paul contrasts the temple of God with idols, affirming that believers are the dwelling place of the living God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between naos and hieron?
Why does Paul call believers a temple?
How does John 2:19 relate to this word?
Every Occurrence (40 verses across 10 books)
Matthew 8 verses
“Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of…
Matthew 23:17You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?
Matthew 23:21He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who has been living in it.
Matthew 23:35that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of…
Matthew 26:61and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.’”
Matthew 27:5He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary and departed. Then he went away and hanged himself.
Matthew 27:40and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down…
Matthew 27:51Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split.