### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb aulízomai (`{{G835}}`) is derived from the noun aulē (`{{G833}}`), which denotes an "open court," "courtyard," or "sheepfold." This etymological connection is fundamental to grasping its core semantic range. Primarily, aulízomai means "to pass the night" or "to lodge." The underlying nuance, stemming from its root, often implies lodging in the open air, in a temporary shelter, or in a place like a courtyard or a sheepfold, rather than a permanent dwelling. It conveys a sense of temporary encampment or a transient stay for the night. While it can extend to mean "to lodge" more generally, the original sense of an unsheltered or temporary outdoor stay remains a strong associative component. The middle voice construction further emphasizes that the subject performs the action of lodging for themselves or on their own behalf.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
aulízomai (`{{G835}}`) appears in the New Testament in contexts that illuminate its specific meaning:
* **[[Matthew 21:17]]**: "And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there." Here, aulízomai describes Jesus' nightly practice during his final week in Jerusalem. Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, would have offered various forms of lodging. While it could imply staying in a house, the choice of aulízomai might subtly suggest a temporary guest arrangement or even a humble, perhaps outdoor, stay, aligning with the word's broader semantic field of temporary, non-permanent lodging.
* **[[Luke 21:37]]**: "And in the daytime he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet." This instance is particularly evocative. The Mount of Olives was a place of olive groves and caves, not typically formal dwellings. The use of aulízomai here strongly suggests that Jesus and his disciples literally spent the nights outdoors, perhaps sleeping under the stars, in a cave, or in a very simple, temporary shelter. This highlights his humble and itinerant existence during his earthly ministry.
Both occurrences refer to Jesus' nocturnal lodging and underscore his transient lifestyle. In [[Luke 21:37]], the word most clearly retains its original connotation of sleeping outdoors or in an unsheltered environment. The Septuagint (LXX) also employs aulízomai for "passing the night," as seen in [[Psalm 29:5]] (LXX Psalm 30:6), "weeping may remain for a night," further establishing its consistent meaning in biblical literature.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **aulē (`{{G833}}`):** The direct noun from which aulízomai is derived, meaning "court," "courtyard," or "sheepfold." This etymological link reinforces the idea of lodging in an open or semi-open space.
* **katalyō (`{{G2627}}`):** This verb means "to unloose," and by extension, "to lodge" or "to stay" (often in an inn). It is used in the context of the inn in Bethlehem ([[Luke 2:7]]) and the inn where the Good Samaritan brought the injured man ([[Luke 10:34]]). While also indicating lodging, katalyō typically implies a more established or formal place of lodging, such as an inn, in contrast to the more open or temporary nature implied by aulízomai.
* **menō (`{{G3306}}`):** A broader term meaning "to abide," "to remain," or "to dwell." menō often denotes a more settled or enduring presence, as in Jesus' command to "abide" in him ([[John 15:4]]). aulízomai is a specific form of "remaining" for a night, emphasizing brevity and transience, distinct from the more permanent sense of menō.
* **Hospitality:** The concept of aulízomai is deeply intertwined with ancient Near Eastern hospitality, where travelers, pilgrims, and shepherds frequently relied on temporary lodging, whether in private homes, inns, or simply by encamping in open fields.
### Theological Significance
The use of aulízomai (`{{G835}}`) in the New Testament, particularly in describing Jesus' actions, carries profound theological implications:
* **Embodiment of Humility and Itinerancy:** The fact that Jesus frequently "lodged" (`{{G835}}`) in temporary, often unsheltered, conditions underscores his profound humility and his itinerant lifestyle. It powerfully illustrates his own statement: "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head" ([[Matthew 8:20]]; [[Luke 9:58]]). aulízomai perfectly encapsulates this reality, emphasizing his lack of a permanent earthly abode.
* **Divine Dependence:** Jesus' reliance on temporary lodging, sometimes in the open, highlights his complete dependence on the Father rather than on earthly comforts or security. His ministry was characterized by a radical detachment from material possessions and a total commitment to his divine mission.
* **Solidarity with the Marginalized:** By choosing to lodge in ways that mirrored the experience of the poor, the homeless, and the vulnerable, Jesus demonstrated profound solidarity with the marginalized. His aulízomai existence was a lived expression of his identification with humanity in its most basic and unadorned state.
* **Foreshadowing of Sacrifice:** The lodging on the Mount of Olives ([[Luke 21:37]]) gains poignant significance as it precedes his betrayal and arrest in Gethsemane, also located on the Mount of Olives. These final nights of temporary rest before his ultimate sacrifice underscore the transient nature of his earthly ministry leading to his eternal dwelling with the Father.
### Summary
aulízomai (`{{G835}}`) is a Greek verb meaning "to pass the night" or "to lodge," rooted in aulē (`{{G833}}`), implying an often temporary, open-air, or unsheltered stay. In the New Testament, its specific application to Jesus' nightly lodging in Bethany ([[Matthew 21:17]]) and particularly on the Mount of Olives ([[Luke 21:37]]) is deeply significant. It serves to emphasize his profound humility, his itinerant lifestyle, and his lack of a permanent earthly dwelling, echoing his own words about the Son of Man having nowhere to lay his head. This word powerfully portrays Jesus' identification with the marginalized, his complete dependence on God, and the transient nature of his earthly ministry leading to his ultimate redemptive work.
TRV