ἐνοικέω
To inhabit (figuratively)
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What does ἐνοικέω (enoikéō) mean in the Bible?
ἐνοικέω (enoikéō) is a Greek word meaning "to inhabit (figuratively)". ἐν-οικέω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly (29/36) for יָשַׁב ;] to dwell in; metaphorically, before ἐν, with dative of person(s): ὁ θεός, 2Co. The presence of the Holy Spirit within believers provides the power necessary to guard and preserve the gospel. This term runs through the canonical themes of Holiness, Presence, Spirit.
Full entry for ἐνοικέω (G1774) · Browse the biblical lexicon
Meaning
God, Spirit, and Word indwell believers as permanent spiritual presence, not temporary visitation
to dwell in; metaphorically, before ἐν, with dative of person(s): ὁ θεός, 2Co.6:16; τ. πνεῦμα, Rom.8:11, 2Ti.1:14; ὁ λόγος, Col.3:16; πίστις, 2Ti.1:5; ἁμαρτία, Rom.7:17.
Why This Word Matters
The presence of the Holy Spirit within believers provides the power necessary to guard and preserve the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:13-14
Grammatical Forms
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
Participle verbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality 2×
Indicative states a fact or reality 2×
Imperative command or strong request 1×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 5 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
New Testament Witnesses
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain