2681. kataskénoó
Lexical Summary
kataskénoó: To encamp, to dwell, to settle

Original Word: κατασκηνόω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kataskénoó
Pronunciation: kat-as-kay-NO-o
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-as-kay-no'-o)
KJV: lodge, rest
NASB: nest, live, nested
Word Origin: [from G2596 (κατά - according) and G4637 (σκηνόω - dwell)]

1. to camp down, i.e. haunt
2. (figuratively) to remain

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
lodge, rest.

From kata and skenoo; to camp down, i.e. Haunt; figuratively, to remain -- lodge, rest.

see GREEK kata

see GREEK skenoo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from kata and skénoó
Definition
to pitch one's tent, encamp, dwell
NASB Translation
live (1), nest (2), nested (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2681: κατασκηνόω

κατασκηνόω, κατασκήνω, infinitive κατασκηνοιν (Matthew 13:32 L T Tr WH, Mark 4:32 WH, see ἀποδεκατόω; (but also κατασκηνοῦν, Matthew, the passage cited R G; Mark, the passage cited R G L T Tr; cf. Tdf. Proleg., p. 123)); future κατασκηνωσόω; 1 aorist κατεσκήνωσα; properly, to pitch one's tent, to fix one's abode, to dwell: ἐφ' ἐλπίδι, Acts 2:26 from Psalm 15:9 (); followed by ἐν with the dative of place, Matthew 13:32; Luke 13:19; ὑπό with the accusative of place, Mark 4:32. (Xenophon, Polybius, Diodorus, others; κατεσκήνωσεν Θεός τῷ ναῷ τούτῳ, Josephus, Antiquities 3, 8, 5; add, Sir. 24:4, 8; the Sept. mostly for שָׁכַן.)

Topical Lexicon
Dwelling and Refuge Imagery

The verb conveys the picture of pitching one’s tent, settling down, or finding a secure lodging place. Scripture employs the term to describe both physical nesting (the birds) and spiritual repose (the believer’s hope), uniting the ideas of protection, permanence, and rest under God’s care.

Occurrences and Context

Acts 2:26; Matthew 13:32; Mark 4:32; Luke 13:19. The first use appears in Peter’s Pentecost sermon, citing Psalm 16. The remaining three occur in the parallel mustard-seed parables of Jesus.

Resurrection Hope in Acts 2:26

“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will dwell in hope” (Acts 2:26). Peter applies David’s words to the Messiah. After the crucifixion, the body of Jesus “dwelt” in the tomb with absolute assurance of resurrection. Because His flesh rested securely, the believer’s future bodily resurrection is equally secure (Romans 6:5; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23). The term therefore underlines the continuity between Davidic prophecy, Christ’s victory over death, and the believer’s confident anticipation of eternal life.

Kingdom Expansion in the Mustard-Seed Parables

Matthew 13:32; Mark 4:32; Luke 13:19 each record the tiny seed that becomes a great tree “so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” The nesting portrays:
• Rapid, unhindered growth of the kingdom from humble beginnings (Acts 1:8).
• Shelter for multitudes, including Gentiles (Ezekiel 17:22-24; Daniel 4:12).
• A call for the church to remain a place of welcome and rest for all who seek Christ (Matthew 11:28-30).

The verb accentuates how the kingdom’s shade is not temporary; the birds settle, implying an enduring, hospitable realm.

Old Testament and Second-Temple Resonance

In the Greek Old Testament, the cognate verb frequently pictures Israel encamped under divine protection (for example, Numbers 9:17-18). The tabernacle itself was God’s dwelling among His people (Exodus 25:8). By echoing this vocabulary, the New Testament passages frame Jesus and His kingdom as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to “camp” with His redeemed (Revelation 21:3).

Practical Ministry Implications

1. Assurance: Believers can lay down in hope, knowing both body and soul are safeguarded in Christ.
2. Hospitality: Local congregations mirror the mustard tree when they cultivate spaces where all nations may “nest,” finding gospel refuge.
3. Mission: The kingdom’s growth is God-given yet involves sowers. Faithful proclamation anticipates exponential, shelter-giving results.
4. Pastoral Care: The verb encourages shepherds to lead people toward secure rest in Christ rather than transient self-help remedies.

Eschatological Perspective

What began as a seed will culminate in a worldwide, eternal habitation where the redeemed “will reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 22:5). The present lodging of hope in mortal bodies will become everlasting residence in resurrection glory (2 Corinthians 5:1-5).

Summary

Strong’s Greek 2681 links the believer’s present assurance and the kingdom’s inclusive growth to the broader biblical theme of God providing a permanent, protective dwelling. In Christ the prophecy of safe encampment is realized, and through the church the branches continue to spread until every nation finds rest under His eternal shade.

Forms and Transliterations
κατασκηνοί κατασκηνοιν κατασκηνοῖν κατασκήνου κατασκηνούν κατασκηνοῦν κατασκηνούντα κατασκηνούντας κατασκηνούντος κατασκηνώ κατασκηνωθήσεται κατασκηνών κατασκηνώσαι κατασκηνώσαί κατασκηνωσει κατασκηνώσει κατασκηνώσεις κατασκηνώσουσι κατασκηνώσουσιν κατασκηνώσω κατασκηνωσώσουσιν κατασκνηώσω κατεσκήνουν κατεσκήνωσα κατεσκήνωσας κατεσκήνωσε κατεσκηνωσεν κατεσκήνωσεν kataskenosei kataskenṓsei kataskēnōsei kataskēnṓsei kataskenoun kataskenoûn kataskēnoun kataskēnoûn kateskenosen kateskēnōsen kateskḗnosen kateskḗnōsen
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 13:32 V-PNA
GRK: οὐρανοῦ καὶ κατασκηνοῦν ἐν τοῖς
NAS: come and NEST IN ITS BRANCHES.
KJV: come and lodge in the branches
INT: air and perch in the

Mark 4:32 V-PNA
GRK: τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνοῦν
NAS: OF THE AIR can NEST UNDER ITS SHADE.
KJV: of the air may lodge under the shadow
INT: of the air to perch

Luke 13:19 V-AIA-3S
GRK: τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατεσκήνωσεν ἐν τοῖς
NAS: OF THE AIR NESTED IN ITS BRANCHES.
KJV: of the air lodged in
INT: of the air roosted in the

Acts 2:26 V-FIA-3S
GRK: σάρξ μου κατασκηνώσει ἐπ' ἐλπίδι
NAS: MY FLESH ALSO WILL LIVE IN HOPE;
KJV: my flesh shall rest in hope:
INT: flesh of me will dwell in hope

Strong's Greek 2681
4 Occurrences


κατασκηνώσει — 1 Occ.
κατασκηνοῦν — 2 Occ.
κατεσκήνωσεν — 1 Occ.

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