2730. katoikeó
Lexical Summary
katoikeó: To dwell, to inhabit, to settle

Original Word: κατοικέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: katoikeó
Pronunciation: kat-oy-KEH-o
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-oy-keh'-o)
KJV: dwell(-er), inhabitant(-ter)
NASB: dwell, lived, live, living, dwells, settled, dwelling
Word Origin: [from G2596 (κατά - according) and G3611 (οἰκέω - dwells)]

1. to house permanently, i.e. reside
{literally or figuratively}

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
dweller, inhabitant.

From kata and oikeo; to house permanently, i.e. Reside (literally or figuratively) -- dwell(-er), inhabitant(-ter).

see GREEK kata

see GREEK oikeo

HELPS Word-studies

2730 katoikéō (from 2596 /katá, "down, according to," intensifying 3611 /oikéō, "dwell, reside") – properly, settle down as a permanent resident, i.e. in a fixed (permanent) dwelling place as one's personal residence; (figuratively) "to be exactly at home."

[The force of the prefix (2596 /katá) suggests "down to the finest, exact details."]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from kata and oikeó
Definition
to inhabit, to settle
NASB Translation
dwell (17), dwelling (1), dwells (3), dwells within (1), live (7), lived (8), living (4), residents (1), settled (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2730: κατοικέω

κατοικέω, κατοικῶ; 1 aorist κατῴκησα; (from Sophocles and Herodotus down); the Sept. times uncounted for יָשַׁב, more rarely for שָׁכַן;

1. intransitive, to dwell, settle;

a. properly: followed by ἐν with the dative of place, Luke 13:4 (Tr WH omit ἐν); Acts 1:20; Acts 5 (T WH marginal reading εἰς (see below)); ; Hebrews 11:9; Revelation 13:12; followed by εἰς (a pregnant construction; see εἰς, C. 2, p. 186a), Matthew 2:23; Matthew 4:13; Acts 7:4; ἐπί τῆς γῆς, Revelation 3:10; Revelation 6:10; Revelation 8:13; Revelation 11:10; Revelation 13:8, 14; Revelation 14:6 Rec.; (Numbers 13:33; Numbers 14:14; Numbers 35:32, 34); ἐπί πᾶν τό πρόσωπον (παντός προσώπου L T Tr WH (cf. ἐπί, C. I. 1 a.)) τῆς γῆς, Acts 17:26; ὅπου, Revelation 2:13; so that ἐκεῖ must be added mentally, Acts 22:12; demons taking possession of the bodies of men are said κατοικεῖν ἐκεῖ, Matthew 12:45; Luke 11:26.

b. metaphorically, divine powers, influences, etc., are said κατοικεῖν ἐν τίνι (the dative of person), or ἐν τῇ καρδία τίνος, to dwell in his soul, to pervade, prompt, govern it: Θεός ἐν ἡμῖν, the Epistle of Barnabas 16, 8 [ET]; Χριστός, Ephesians 3:17; the Holy Spirit, James 4:5 R G (Hermas, past., mand. 5, 2 [ET]; (sim. 5, 5 [ET] etc.; cf. Harnack's references on mand. 3, 1)); τό πλήρωμα τῆς θεότητος in Christ, Colossians 2:9, cf. 1:19; σοφία ἐν σώματι, Wis. 1:4; δικαιοσύνη is said to dwell where righteousness prevails, is practised, 2 Peter 3:13.

2. transitive, to dwell in, inhabit: with the accusative of place, Acts 1:19; Acts 2:9, 14; Acts 4:16; Acts 9:32, 35; Acts 19:10, 17; Revelation 12:12 Rec.; ; God is said to dwell in the temple, i. e. to be always present for worshippers: Matthew 23:21. (Compare: ἐγκατοικέω [SYNONYMS: κατοικεῖν, in the Sept. the ordinary rendering of יָשַׁב to settle, dwell, differs from παροικεῖν, the common representative of גּוּר to sojourn, as the permanent differs from the transitory; e. g. Genesis 37:1 κατῴκει δέ Ἰακώβ ἐν τῇ γῆ οὗ παρῴκησεν πατήρ αὐτοῦ, ἐν γῆ Χανάαν; Philo de sacrif. Ab. et Cain. § 10 γάρ τοῖς ἐγκυκλιοις μόνοις ἐπανεχων, παροικεῖ σοφία, οὐ κατοικεῖ. Cf. Lightfoot on Colossians 1:19 and on Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 1.]

STRONGS NT 2730: κατοικίζωκατοικίζω; 1 aorist κατῴκισα; from Herodotus down; the Sept. for הושִׁיב; to cause to dwell, to send or bring into an abode; to give a dwelling to: metaphorically, τό πνεῦμα, κατῴκισεν ἐν ἡμῖν, i. e. the Spirit which he placed within us, to pervade and prompt us (see κατοικέω, 1 b.), James 4:5 L T Tr WH.

Topical Lexicon
Root Concept: Settled Presence

The verb expresses more than momentary lodging; it pictures a stable, deliberate, and often covenantal residence. Whether speaking of a village, the human heart, or the fullness of God in Christ, the word communicates permanence and rightful claim.

In the Gospels: The Messiah’s Earthly Address

Matthew 2:23 and Matthew 4:13 use the term for Jesus’ settling in Nazareth and Capernaum. These moves fulfill prophecy and launch public ministry, showing that the incarnate Son intentionally “took up residence” among ordinary Galileans.
Matthew 12:45 and Luke 11:26 apply the verb to an unclean spirit returning to an emptied life. The contrast underscores that hearts cannot remain spiritually vacant; either Christ indwells or evil re-occupies.

Acts: Mission, Geography, and Divine Transcendence

Acts 7 anchors the patriarchal journey: “Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran” (Acts 7:4). Israel’s account traces God’s guidance toward a land He would yet cause them to inhabit.
• Stephen’s sermon climaxes with Acts 7:48, “the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands,” preparing the Church to see God’s presence as unconfined by stone.
• Paul in Athens echoes the point: “He is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands” (Acts 17:24), yet immediately adds that God “determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands” (Acts 17:26). The Creator both transcends and orders every habitation.
• The term also marks evangelistic advance: Jews “dwelling in Jerusalem” hear the Pentecost message (Acts 2:5), while “all who were living in Asia heard the word of the Lord” during Paul’s Ephesian ministry (Acts 19:10). Residence defines spheres of accountability to the gospel.

Pauline Letters: The Mystery of Divine Indwelling

Ephesians 3:17 places the verb inside the believer: “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Salvation is not merely positional but residential—Christ takes up settled lordship within.
• Colossians magnifies the Christological center: “For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him” (Colossians 1:19) and “all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). The eternal God permanently inhabits the incarnate Son, ensuring that the believer’s union with Christ lacks nothing.
• In contrast, 1 Corinthians 3:16 (using a related root) reveals the corporate dimension: the gathered church is God’s dwelling, so ministry must honor His residing holiness.

Hebrews and General Epistles: Pilgrimage and Promise

Hebrews 11:9 recalls Abraham “dwelling in tents” in the promised land, modeling faith that looks beyond temporary lodging to lasting inheritance.
James 4:5 presents God as the One who “yearns jealously over the spirit He has caused to dwell in us,” urging wholehearted devotion.
2 Peter 3:13 lifts eyes to the finale: “a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” The future creation will host only that which accords with God’s character.

Revelation: Two Populations, Two Destinies

The Apocalypse contrasts “those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8; 17:2, 8) with the saints whose citizenship is heavenly. Earth-dwellers align with the beast, while the Lamb’s followers await the descent of “the tabernacle of God with men” (using related wording in Revelation 21:3). Residence reveals allegiance; final judgment and reward hinge on where—and with Whom—one chooses to dwell.

Theological Threads

1. Divine Sovereignty: God appoints human habitations yet is Himself unhoused (Acts 17:24-26).
2. Incarnation: Fullness permanently indwells Christ, legitimizing the gospel’s sufficiency (Colossians 1:19).
3. Regeneration: Christ’s settled presence in the heart transforms ethics and community (Ephesians 3:17).
4. Eschatology: The word fuels hope for a righteous cosmos where God’s dwelling is among His redeemed (2 Peter 3:13).

Ministry Implications

• Evangelism targets every place people reside; no city or village lies outside the Lord’s claim.
• Discipleship nurtures interior space for Christ’s reign, refusing spiritual vacancy.
• Church planting recognizes each congregation as a local habitation of God’s Spirit, calling for holiness and hospitality.
• Suffering saints take courage: their current address is temporary; an eternal, righteous home awaits.

Historical Reflection

Early Christian writers saw a double movement: God descending to dwell in flesh, and believers ascending in worship until the final union. From first-century Nazareth to the New Jerusalem, the narrative of κατοικέω traces the unwavering intent of God to live with His people and to make His people fit to live with Him.

Forms and Transliterations
κατοικει κατοικεί κατοικεῖ κατοίκει κατοικειν κατοικείν κατοικεῖν κατοικεις κατοικείς κατοικεῖς κατοικείσθαι κατοικείται κατοικειτε κατοικείτε κατοικεῖτε κατοικείτω κατοικείτωσαν κατοικηθή κατοικηθής κατοικηθήσεται κατοικηθήση κατοικηθησομένας κατοικηθήσονται κατοικησαι κατοικήσαι κατοικήσαί κατοικῆσαι κατοικήσαντα κατοικήσαντι κατοικησας κατοικήσας κατοικήσατε κατοικησάτω κατοικήσει κατοικήσεις κατοικήσετε κατοικήση κατοικήσης κατοικήσητε κατοικήσομεν κατοίκησον κατοικήσουσι κατοικησούσιν κατοικήσουσιν κατοικήσω κατοικήσωσιν κατοικήτω κατοικιείς κατοικούμεναι κατοικουμένας κατοικουμένη κατοικούμενον κατοικούν κατοικούντα κατοικουντας κατοικούντας κατοικοῦντας κατοικουντες κατοικούντες κατοικοῦντες κατοικουντι κατοικούντι κατοικοῦντι κατοικουντος κατοικούντος κατοικουντων κατοικούντων κατοικούσα κατοικούσαι κατοικούση κατοικούσι κατοικουσιν κατοικούσιν κατοικοῦσιν κατοικώ κατοικων κατοικών κατοικῶν κατοικώσιν κατώκει κατώκεισεν κατώκειτε κατωκείτο κατώκειτο κατώκηκα κατωκήκατε κατώκησα κατωκήσαμεν κατωκησαν κατώκησαν κατώκησε κατωκησεν κατώκησεν κατῴκησεν κατωκισεν κατῴκισεν κατώκουν katoikei katoikeî katoikein katoikeîn katoikeis katoikeîs katoikeite katoikeîte katoikesai katoikêsai katoikēsai katoikē̂sai katoikesas katoikēsas katoikḗsas katṓikesen katṓikēsen katṓikisen katoikon katoikôn katoikōn katoikō̂n katoikountas katoikoûntas katoikountes katoikoûntes katoikounti katoikoûnti katoikounton katoikountōn katoikoúnton katoikoúntōn katoikousin katoikoûsin katokesen katōkēsen katokisen katōkisen
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 2:23 V-AIA-3S
GRK: καὶ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς πόλιν
NAS: and came and lived in a city called
KJV: And he came and dwelt in a city
INT: and having come he dwelt in a city

Matthew 4:13 V-AIA-3S
GRK: Ναζαρὰ ἐλθὼν κατῴκησεν εἰς Καφαρναοὺμ
NAS: He came and settled in Capernaum,
KJV: he came and dwelt in
INT: Nazareth having come he dwelt at Capernaum

Matthew 12:45 V-PIA-3S
GRK: καὶ εἰσελθόντα κατοικεῖ ἐκεῖ καὶ
NAS: and they go in and live there;
KJV: and they enter in and dwell there: and
INT: and having entered in they dwell there and

Matthew 23:21 V-PPA-DMS
GRK: ἐν τῷ κατοικοῦντι αὐτόν
NAS: [both] by the temple and by Him who dwells within it.
KJV: and by him that dwelleth therein.
INT: by him who dwells in it

Luke 11:26 V-PIA-3S
GRK: καὶ εἰσελθόντα κατοικεῖ ἐκεῖ καὶ
NAS: and they go in and live there;
KJV: they enter in, and dwell there:
INT: and having entered they dwell there and

Luke 13:4 V-PPA-AMP
GRK: ἀνθρώπους τοὺς κατοικοῦντας Ἰερουσαλήμ
NAS: all the men who live in Jerusalem?
KJV: all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
INT: men who dwelt in Jerusalem

Acts 1:19 V-PPA-DMP
GRK: πᾶσι τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν Ἰερουσαλήμ ὥστε
NAS: to all who were living in Jerusalem;
KJV: unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem;
INT: to all those dwelling in Jerusalem so that

Acts 1:20 V-PPA-NMS
GRK: ἔστω ὁ κατοικῶν ἐν αὐτῇ
NAS: AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT'; and, 'LET ANOTHER MAN
KJV: let no man dwell therein: and
INT: let there be [one person] dwelling in it

Acts 2:5 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: εἰς Ἰερουσαλὴμ κατοικοῦντες Ἰουδαῖοι ἄνδρες
NAS: there were Jews living in Jerusalem,
KJV: And there were dwelling at Jerusalem
INT: in Jerusalem dwelling Jews men

Acts 2:9 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: καὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὴν Μεσοποταμίαν
NAS: and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia,
KJV: and the dwellers in Mesopotamia,
INT: and those who inhabit Mesopotamia

Acts 2:14 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: καὶ οἱ κατοικοῦντες Ἰερουσαλὴμ πάντες
NAS: and all you who live in Jerusalem,
KJV: all [ye] that dwell at Jerusalem,
INT: and you who inhabit Jerusalem all

Acts 4:16 V-PPA-DMP
GRK: πᾶσιν τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν Ἰερουσαλὴμ φανερόν
NAS: to all who live in Jerusalem,
KJV: to all them that dwell in Jerusalem;
INT: to all those inhabiting Jerusalem [is] evident

Acts 7:2 V-ANA
GRK: πρὶν ἢ κατοικῆσαι αὐτὸν ἐν
NAS: before he lived in Haran,
KJV: before he dwelt in Charran,
INT: before than dwelt him in

Acts 7:4 V-AIA-3S
GRK: γῆς Χαλδαίων κατῴκησεν ἐν Χαρράν
NAS: of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran.
KJV: of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in
INT: [the] land of Chaldeans he dwelt in Haran

Acts 7:4 V-PIA-2P
GRK: ὑμεῖς νῦν κατοικεῖτε
NAS: in which you are now living.
KJV: ye now dwell.
INT: you now dwell

Acts 7:48 V-PIA-3S
GRK: ἐν χειροποιήτοις κατοικεῖ καθὼς ὁ
NAS: the Most High does not dwell in [houses] made by [human] hands;
KJV: Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in
INT: in hand-made [houses] dwells as the

Acts 9:22 V-PPA-AMP
GRK: Ἰουδαίους τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐν Δαμασκῷ
NAS: the Jews who lived at Damascus
KJV: the Jews which dwelt at Damascus,
INT: Jews who dwelt in Damascus

Acts 9:32 V-PPA-AMP
GRK: ἁγίους τοὺς κατοικοῦντας Λύδδα
NAS: also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
KJV: the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
INT: saints that inhabited Lydda

Acts 9:35 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες Λύδδα καὶ
NAS: And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon
KJV: And all that dwelt at Lydda and
INT: all those inhabiting Lydda and

Acts 11:29 V-PPA-DMP
GRK: πέμψαι τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν ἐν τῇ
NAS: of the brethren living in Judea.
KJV: the brethren which dwelt in
INT: to send to those dwelling in

Acts 13:27 V-PPA-NMP
GRK: οἱ γὰρ κατοικοῦντες ἐν Ἰερουσαλὴμ
NAS: For those who live in Jerusalem,
KJV: For they that dwell at Jerusalem,
INT: those indeed dwelling in Jerusalem

Acts 17:24 V-PIA-3S
GRK: χειροποιήτοις ναοῖς κατοικεῖ
NAS: and earth, does not dwell in temples
KJV: and earth, dwelleth not in
INT: hand-made temples dwells

Acts 17:26 V-PNA
GRK: ἔθνος ἀνθρώπων κατοικεῖν ἐπὶ παντὸς
NAS: of mankind to live on all
KJV: nations of men for to dwell on all
INT: nation of men to dwell upon all

Acts 19:10 V-PPA-AMP
GRK: πάντας τοὺς κατοικοῦντας τὴν Ἀσίαν
NAS: so that all who lived in Asia heard
KJV: that all they which dwelt in Asia
INT: all those who inhabited Asia

Acts 19:17 V-PPA-DMP
GRK: Ἕλλησιν τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν τὴν Ἔφεσον
NAS: and Greeks, who lived in Ephesus;
KJV: Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and
INT: Greeks those inhabiting Ephesus

Strong's Greek 2730
45 Occurrences


κατῴκησεν — 3 Occ.
κατῴκισεν — 1 Occ.
κατοικῆσαι — 3 Occ.
κατοικήσας — 1 Occ.
κατοικεῖ — 7 Occ.
κατοικεῖν — 1 Occ.
κατοικεῖς — 1 Occ.
κατοικεῖτε — 1 Occ.
κατοικῶν — 1 Occ.
κατοικοῦντας — 9 Occ.
κατοικοῦντες — 9 Occ.
κατοικοῦντι — 1 Occ.
κατοικούντων — 2 Occ.
κατοικοῦσιν — 5 Occ.

2729
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