### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun skēnos (`{{G4636}}`) derives directly from skēnē (`{{G4637}}`), meaning "tent," "booth," or "tabernacle." Its core meaning, therefore, denotes a temporary dwelling or a movable habitation, such as a hut or a tent. This literal sense carries strong connotations of impermanence, fragility, and a provisional existence, as opposed to a fixed, solid, or eternal structure. In the New Testament, skēnos takes on a crucial figurative meaning: the human body. This metaphorical application positions the body as a temporary residence or "tabernacle" for the spirit or soul, emphasizing its transient nature in contrast to the eternal spiritual reality.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While skēnos (`{{G4636}}`) appears infrequently in the New Testament, its singular use in 2 Corinthians 5:4 is profoundly significant and illuminates its full semantic range: "For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life." The English translation "tent" or "tabernacle" accurately captures the essence of skēnos in this context.
In 2 Corinthians 5, the Apostle Paul is wrestling with the tension between the present earthly existence and the future heavenly state. He describes the mortal body as a skēnos—a temporary, earthly dwelling that is subject to groaning, burdens, and mortality. This imagery contrasts sharply with the "building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1). The "groaning" is not a sign of despair or a desire to be disembodied, but rather an earnest longing for the future resurrection and glorification, where "mortality may be swallowed up by life." The temporary nature of the skēnos highlights the believer's longing for an eternal, imperishable dwelling, which is the glorified body.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of skēnos (`{{G4636}}`) is greatly enriched by its relationship to other Greek words in the same semantic family:
* skēnē (`{{G4637}}`): The root word, meaning "tent," "tabernacle," or "dwelling place." This word is used frequently in the New Testament, referring to the Old Testament Tabernacle (e.g., [[Hebrews 8:2]], [[Hebrews 9:2]]), or figuratively to God's dwelling with humanity (e.g., [[Revelation 21:3]]).
* skēnoma (`{{G4638}}`): Another noun derived from skēnē, also meaning "tent," "dwelling," or "tabernacle." It is used in [[Acts 7:46]] for a dwelling for God, and in 2 Peter 1:13-14, where Peter refers to his own body as a "tent" or "dwelling" (similar to Paul's use of skēnos), indicating his impending death.
* skēnoō (`{{G4635}}`): A verb meaning "to tent," "to dwell," or "to tabernacle." This verb is famously used in [[John 1:14]] to describe the Incarnation: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt [eskenōsen - 'tabernacled'] among us." This usage powerfully connects God's presence with humanity, echoing the Old Testament Tabernacle where God met with His people.
The concept of the body as a temporary dwelling links to broader theological themes such as:
* **Mortality and Immortality:** The skēnos underscores human mortality and the anticipation of an immortal, glorified state.
* **Earthly vs. Heavenly:** It highlights the distinction between our present earthly existence and our future heavenly reality.
* **Pilgrimage:** Life in the skēnos is a journey, a temporary stay in this world before reaching our eternal home.
* **Redemption of the Body:** The hope is not for the annihilation of the body, but its transformation and glorification, as part of God's complete redemptive plan.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of skēnos (`{{G4636}}`) lies primarily in its portrayal of the human body as a temporary, earthly dwelling. This imagery is crucial for understanding the New Testament's eschatological hope and anthropology.
Firstly, it emphasizes the provisional nature of our physical existence. The body, while created by God and intrinsically good, is not the ultimate or final form of human existence. It is a vessel, a temporary abode for the spirit, subject to decay, weakness, and death. This perspective encourages believers to set their hope not on earthly comforts or physical perfection, but on the eternal realities of God's kingdom.
Secondly, the "groaning" within the skēnos (2 Corinthians 5:4) is not a lament of despair but an expression of profound eschatological longing. It signifies the Spirit-wrought anticipation of a future glorification, where the limitations and mortality of the present body will be swallowed up by life in Christ. This transforms suffering and weakness into a catalyst for hope, as believers yearn for their permanent, imperishable dwelling.
Finally, the use of skēnos maintains a balanced biblical anthropology. While acknowledging the body's temporary nature, it avoids the Gnostic tendency to view the physical as inherently evil or a prison from which the soul must escape. Instead, it anticipates a future, glorified body, a "house not made with hands," which will be a perfect and eternal dwelling, consistent with God's redemptive plan for the whole person—spirit, soul, and body.
### Summary
The Greek word skēnos (`{{G4636}}`), derived from skēnē (`{{G4637}}`) meaning "tent" or "tabernacle," signifies a temporary dwelling or movable habitation. In the New Testament, particularly in 2 Corinthians 5:4, it is used metaphorically to describe the human body. This imagery highlights the body's transient, fragile, and earthly nature, serving as a provisional abode for the spirit. The concept underscores the believer's eschatological hope for a permanent, glorified, and heavenly dwelling, contrasting the limitations and mortality of the present "tabernacle" with the promise of eternal life and resurrection. skēnos thus conveys a deep theological insight into the provisional character of our present physical existence in light of future divine transformation and the ultimate dwelling with God.
TRV