from ἐπί and σκηνόω; to tent upon, i.e. (figuratively) abide with :--rest upon.
Transliteration:episkēnóō
Pronunciation:ep-ee-skay-no'-o
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ἐπισκηνόω (episkēnóō, `{{G1981}}`) is a compound word formed from the preposition ἐπί (epi), meaning "upon," "over," or "in addition to," and the verb σκηνόω (skēnoō, `{{G4637}}`), meaning "to pitch a tent," "to dwell," or "to tabernacle." Literally, therefore, ἐπισκηνόω signifies "to pitch a tent upon" or "to dwell over/upon" something. The base definition provided, "to tent upon, i.e. (figuratively) abide with :--rest upon," captures its essential semantic range. It implies a settled, though perhaps not necessarily permanent, dwelling or resting of one entity upon another, often with connotations of protection, overshadowing, or empowering presence. The root σκηνή (skēnē, `{{G4636}}`), "tent" or "tabernacle," carries profound theological weight in both the Old and New Testaments, referring to God's dwelling place among His people. The prefix ἐπί intensifies this idea, suggesting an active, enveloping, or descending presence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb ἐπισκηνόω (episkēnóō, `{{G1981}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Corinthians 12:9. In this pivotal passage, the Apostle Paul recounts his struggle with a "thorn in the flesh" and his repeated prayers for its removal. God's response to Paul's plea is: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Paul then declares, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may *rest upon* me" ([[2 Corinthians 12:9]]).
Here, "rest upon" translates ἐπισκηνόω. The context is crucial: Paul's profound weakness becomes the very ground upon which the power of Christ "tabernacles" or "dwells upon." It is not a fleeting visit but an abiding, empowering presence that settles over Paul, enabling him to endure and serve despite his infirmity. The imagery evokes a protective canopy or an enveloping presence, much like the divine cloud that overshadowed the Tabernacle in the wilderness, signifying God's presence and protection. In Paul's case, Christ's power does not merely assist him but actively *dwells* upon him, making His strength manifest precisely where human strength is absent.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is σκηνόω (skēnoō, `{{G4637}}`), "to tabernacle" or "to dwell." This verb is famously used in John 1:14: "And the Word became flesh and *dwelt* among us" ([[John 1:14]]). Here, σκηνόω emphasizes the Incarnation as God pitching His tent, or tabernacling, among humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. The noun σκηνή (skēnē, `{{G4636}}`), "tent" or "tabernacle," is central to Old Testament theology, referring to the portable sanctuary where God met with Israel. In the New Testament, it points to the heavenly tabernacle ([[Hebrews 8:2]], [[Hebrews 9:11]]) and the ultimate dwelling of God with humanity in the new creation ([[Revelation 21:3]]).
The prefix ἐπί (epi, `{{G1909}}`) adds the nuance of "upon" or "over," suggesting a descending or enveloping action. This distinguishes ἐπισκηνόω from the more general σκηνόω, highlighting a specific kind of dwelling that is superimposed or rests upon something. Conceptually, it aligns with themes of divine overshadowing (e.g., the Holy Spirit overshadowing Mary in [[Luke 1:35]]), divine indwelling (e.g., the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers), and the protective presence of God.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of ἐπισκηνόω in 2 Corinthians 12:9 carries immense theological weight. It reveals a profound truth about God's modus operandi: His divine power is most perfectly manifested not in human strength or self-sufficiency, but in human weakness and dependence. When Paul is at his weakest, the power of Christ does not merely come *to* him, but *rests upon* him, enveloping him like a divine tent.
This concept underscores the sufficiency of God's grace. It is not just a passive forgiveness but an active, empowering presence that enables believers to not only endure suffering but to thrive in it, making Christ's power evident. The image of "tabernacling upon" connects Paul's experience directly to the Old Testament Tabernacle, where God's glory descended and dwelt among His people. In the New Covenant, this dwelling is not confined to a physical structure but extends to the very person of the believer, especially in their vulnerability. It signifies an intimate, protective, and empowering presence of Christ, transforming weakness into a conduit for divine strength. This truth encourages believers to embrace their weaknesses as opportunities for Christ's power to be fully manifest in their lives.
### Summary
ἐπισκηνόω (episkēnóō, `{{G1981}}`) is a unique and potent Greek verb, appearing only once in the New Testament in 2 Corinthians 12:9. Derived from ἐπί ("upon") and σκηνόω ("to tabernacle"), its core meaning is "to tent upon" or "to dwell over." In its sole biblical occurrence, it describes the power of Christ "resting upon" the Apostle Paul in his weakness. This signifies an active, enveloping, and empowering divine presence that settles upon believers, particularly in their moments of infirmity. Theologically, it highlights the paradoxical truth that God's strength is made perfect in human weakness, transforming vulnerability into a vessel for Christ's abiding and protective power, echoing the Old Testament concept of God's dwelling among His people in the Tabernacle.
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