Dwell
שָׁכַן (Shakan)
To dwell, abide, or settle — particularly God's presence dwelling among His people.
The Hebrew word shakan means to dwell or settle, and is the root of Shekinah — describing God's glorious, abiding presence among His people.
"And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them." — Exodus 25:8 (KJV)
Key Verses
Psalm 91:1
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”Read in context
Ezekiel 43:7
“And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H7931 — Dwell (שָׁכַן (Shakan))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where שָׁכַן (Shakan) appears.
Open Strong's H7931The Meaning of Shakan
Shakan means to settle down, abide, or dwell in a place. It conveys more than temporary presence — it implies taking up residence. When God tells Israel to build a sanctuary 'that I may dwell among them,' He is expressing His desire to make His permanent home with His people. This is the root word behind Shekinah, the rabbinic term for God's manifest glory.
God's Progressive Dwelling
Scripture traces God's dwelling from the tabernacle in the wilderness, to Solomon's temple, to the incarnation of Christ ('the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us'), to the indwelling Holy Spirit in believers. Each stage brings God's presence closer to His people, from a tent to a temple to a person to the human heart.
The Eternal Dwelling
Revelation 21:3 declares the ultimate fulfillment: 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them.' The entire biblical narrative moves toward this climax — God's unmediated, eternal dwelling with redeemed humanity in the new creation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the connection between shakan and Shekinah?
Shekinah is derived from shakan. While 'Shekinah' does not appear in the Bible, rabbinic tradition coined it to describe God's manifest, dwelling presence — the glory that filled the tabernacle and temple.
Where does God dwell today?
According to the New Testament, God dwells in believers through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). The church — the body of Christ — is now the temple of God's abiding presence.
What is the Hebrew word for "Dwell" in the Bible?
שָׁכַן (Shakan), pronounced "shah-KAHN." It means to dwell, abide, or settle — particularly god's presence dwelling among his people. Its Strong's number is H7931. It is the word behind "Dwell" in the Old Testament, for example in Exodus 25:8.
What does "Dwell" mean in the Bible?
To dwell, abide, or settle — particularly God's presence dwelling among His people. The underlying Hebrew word is שָׁכַן (Shakan) ("shah-KAHN"), Strong's H7931. The Hebrew word shakan means to dwell or settle, and is the root of Shekinah — describing God's glorious, abiding presence among His people.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Dwell (שָׁכַן (Shakan))
To dwell, abide, or settle — particularly God's presence dwelling among His people.
Strong's H7931 — Dwell
שָׁכַן (Shakan) • To dwell, abide, or settle — particularly God's presence dwelling among His people.
Shekinah (שְׁכִינָה (shekhinah))
The dwelling presence of God — His visible glory among His people.
Strong's H3519 — Glory (Kabod)
כָּבוֹד (kabod) • Weightiness and splendor — the heavy, radiant, awe-inspiring presence of God.
Dwelling in the Presence of God — Bible Verses (KJV)
10 curated KJV verses
1 Corinthians 3:16 Commentary
In-depth study • Indwelling Spirit
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