οἰκητήριον (oikētērion)
oikētērion
dwelling
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun oikētērion refers to a dwelling place or habitation. Its root connects to the concept of an inhabitant, pointing directly to the structure that houses one who lives within it. In Scripture, this word appears only twice, yet it carries significant descriptive weight regarding the nature of human existence.
In Jude 6, it describes the angels who did not stay in their proper domain but left their own dwelling place. Here, the term emphasizes the physical or spiritual location assigned to them, which they abandoned. This usage highlights a loss of rightful residence due to disobedience.
The second occurrence in 2 Corinthians 5:2 uses the word metaphorically. Paul speaks of longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, contrasting it with the current earthly body. He views the physical form as a temporary habitation for the spirit, one that is destined to be replaced by an eternal home provided by God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word oikētērion reminds us that every part of our existence has a proper place. In Jude, angels who abandoned their assigned dwelling faced serious consequences, showing that staying in our God-given role is vital for peace and order. For you, this means finding rest in the position and calling He has already prepared, rather than chasing after what belongs elsewhere.
Paul uses this same term in 2 Corinthians to describe our future hope. We groan in these temporary bodies, longing for a permanent home from heaven. This isn't just about an afterlife; it's about knowing that your current struggles are not your final state. God has prepared something eternal that will outlast every earthly challenge.
When you feel displaced or uncertain, remember that your true home is secure in Him. You don't need to build your own shelter from fear. Instead, rest in the promise that He will clothe you with something far better than anything this world can offer.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- dwelling,1×
- dwelling1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- οἰκητήριον,1×
- οἰκητήριον1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 5:2
For most certainly in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,
Paul uses oikētērion to contrast the temporary nature of our physical bodies with the eternal, heavenly home God provides.
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Jude 1:6
Angels who didn’t keep their first domain, but deserted their own dwelling place, he has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.
The word highlights the angels' loss of their original assigned domain due to their disobedience and abandonment of it.