"a tent, tabernacle; genr. any temporary dwelling; a tent, booth, Mt. 17:4; Heb. 11:9; the tabernacle of the covenant, Heb. 8:5; 9:1, 21; 13:10; allegor. the celestial or true tabernacle, Heb. 8:2; 9:11; a division or compartment of the tabernacle, Heb. 9:2, 3, 6; a small portable..."
Definition and meaning
a tent, tabernacle; genr. any temporary dwelling; a tent, booth, Mt. 17:4; Heb. 11:9; the tabernacle of the covenant, Heb. 8:5; 9:1, 21; 13:10; allegor. the celestial or true tabernacle, Heb. 8:2; 9:11; a division or compartment of the tabernacle, Heb. 9:2, 3, 6; a small portable tent or shrine, Acts 7:43; an abode or seat of a lineage, Acts 15:16; a mansion, habitation, abode, dwelling, Lk. 16:9; Rev. 13:6
In the original Greek the word is written: σκηνή
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of skene (G4633) across the King James Bible.
Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.
After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
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Common questions
Strong's G4633 (skene) is a Greek word that means: a tent, tabernacle; genr. any temporary dwelling; a tent, booth, Mt. 17:4; Heb. 11:9; the tabernacle of the covenant, Heb. 8:5; 9:1, 21; 13:10; allegor. the celestial or true tabernacle, Heb. 8:2; 9:1... It appears 20 times in the King James Bible.
The word skene (G4633) appears 20 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4633 is skene, a Greek word defined as: a tent, tabernacle; genr. any temporary dwelling; a tent, booth, Mt. 17:4; Heb. 11:9; the tabernacle of the covenant, Heb. 8:5; 9:1, 21; 13:10; allego. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
skene is a Greek word found in the New Testament.