### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun κατοίκησις (katoíkēsis, `{{G2731}}`) is derived from the verb κατοικέω (katoikeō, `{{G2730}}`), which means "to dwell, inhabit, or reside." As a noun, katoíkēsis primarily signifies a "residence" or "dwelling." Its semantic range encompasses both the *act* of dwelling and, by implication, the *place* where one dwells, often conveying a sense of a settled, permanent, or established abode rather than a temporary lodging. The base definition suggests a substantial dwelling, even a "mansion," implying a fixed and significant habitation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term katoíkēsis (`{{G2731}}`) appears only twice in the New Testament, and its limited, yet potent, usage is highly significant:
1. **[[Mark 5:3]]**: "who had his dwelling among the tombs." This verse describes the Gerasene demoniac, whose severe spiritual affliction drove him to inhabit a desolate and unclean place associated with death. Here, katoíkēsis underscores the tragic reality of his demonic oppression, forcing him into a permanent state of alienation from human society and a dwelling place antithetical to life and community. The "dwelling" is not a home in the conventional sense but a place of torment and isolation, highlighting the destructive power of the evil spirits.
2. **[[Revelation 18:2]]**: "And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, 'Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird.'" In this apocalyptic vision, katoíkēsis is used to characterize the utterly corrupted state of Babylon, symbolizing the world system in rebellion against God. The city, once magnificent, is now depicted as a permanent, established abode for malevolent spiritual entities and symbols of impurity. This signifies complete spiritual desolation, pervasive evil, and divine judgment, indicating that God's presence has utterly departed, leaving it to be filled with the forces of darkness.
In both instances, katoíkēsis is employed in a decidedly negative context, describing an unholy or demonic habitation. This consistent usage suggests a deliberate lexical choice to convey a specific theological nuance.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding katoíkēsis is enhanced by examining its relationship to other Greek terms for dwelling:
* **κατοικέω (katoikeō, `{{G2730}}`)**: The verbal root of katoíkēsis, meaning "to dwell." This verb is used much more broadly in the New Testament, often positively, describing God's dwelling among His people ([[Revelation 21:3]]), Christ dwelling in believers' hearts ([[Ephesians 3:17]]), or the Holy Spirit dwelling within believers ([[Romans 8:9]]). The noun katoíkēsis, however, consistently carries the negative connotation in its actual occurrences.
* **οἰκία (oikia, `{{G3614}}`)**: A general term for a "house" or "household," referring to a physical structure or a family unit.
* **σκηνή (skēnē, `{{G4633}}`)**: "Tent" or "tabernacle," often implying a temporary dwelling or a sacred space where God manifested His presence among His people in the Old Testament.
* **ναός (naos, `{{G3485}}`)**: "Temple" or "sanctuary," specifically referring to the inner holy place, God's dwelling.
* **οἰκητήριον (oikētērion, `{{G3613}}`)**: "Dwelling place," used for the body as a dwelling ([[2 Corinthians 5:2]]) or for spirits ([[Jude 1:6]]).
The distinctiveness of katoíkēsis lies in its consistent application to places of profound spiritual impurity and demonic presence, setting it apart from terms that can describe both holy and unholy habitations, or simply physical structures.
### Theological Significance
The striking and exclusive use of katoíkēsis (`{{G2731}}`) to describe places of unholy or demonic habitation carries profound theological weight. It is not used for the dwelling of God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit, nor for the dwelling of believers in God. Instead, it serves as a stark linguistic marker of spiritual desolation and impurity:
* **Manifestation of Evil's Domain**: In both [[Mark 5:3]] and [[Revelation 18:2]], katoíkēsis points to a place where evil has established a firm and pervasive presence. It signifies not merely a temporary visit by malevolent forces but a settled, permanent, and defining characteristic of the location.
* **Consequences of Sin and Rebellion**: The "dwelling among the tombs" for the demoniac illustrates the tragic outcome of being under the dominion of evil – isolation, defilement, and a life antithetical to God's design. Babylon's transformation into a "dwelling place of demons" depicts the ultimate judgment and spiritual bankruptcy of a system that has utterly rejected God, becoming a permanent bastion of corruption.
* **Contrast with Divine Indwelling**: The negative application of katoíkēsis stands in stark contrast to the positive concept of divine indwelling, which is often expressed by the verbal form katoikeō (`{{G2730}}`) or other terms. This lexical precision highlights the fundamental difference between the pure, life-giving presence of God and the defiling, destructive presence of evil. It underscores the biblical worldview where spiritual forces contend for "dwelling places," whether human hearts, communities, or entire systems.
### Summary
κατοίκησις (katoíkēsis, `{{G2731}}`) is a Greek noun denoting a "dwelling" or "residence," implying a settled and permanent abode. Its two sole occurrences in the New Testament are highly significant: in [[Mark 5:3]], it describes the demon-possessed man's desolate dwelling among tombs, and in [[Revelation 18:2]], it depicts fallen Babylon as the permanent dwelling of demons and unclean spirits. This consistent usage establishes katoíkēsis as a specific theological term for a place of unholy or demonic habitation. It underscores the established nature of evil's presence in these contexts, serving as a powerful linguistic marker of spiritual corruption and desolation, in stark contrast to the concept of divine indwelling.
TRV