παροικέω
I sojourn
Definition
The verb παροικέω means to dwell temporarily as a foreigner or resident alien, not as a permanent citizen. It describes a state of sojourning or living as a stranger in a place that is not one's true homeland. In Luke 24:18, Cleopas uses it to describe Jesus as a 'visitor' or temporary resident in Jerusalem. In Hebrews 11:9, it describes Abraham living as a foreigner in the Promised Land, emphasizing his transient status even in the land of promise.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only twice in the New Testament. In Luke 24:18, it is used in a literal, geographical sense for someone staying temporarily in a city. In Hebrews 11:9, it is used theologically to describe the patriarchs' faith-driven existence as 'strangers and foreigners on the earth' (Hebrews 11:13), highlighting the transient nature of earthly life for people of faith. Both uses reinforce the concept of non-permanent residence.
Etymology
Derived from the preposition παρά (para, 'beside') and the verb οἰκέω (oikeō, 'to dwell'). It literally means 'to dwell beside' or 'to dwell near,' which developed the sense of dwelling as a neighbor who is not a native—a resident alien. It is related to the noun πάροικος (paroikos, G3941), meaning 'sojourner' or 'alien.'
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it captures the biblical theme of God's people being temporary residents on earth, whose true citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). It enriches the reading of Hebrews 11, framing the patriarchs' lives as a pilgrimage of faith, looking forward to a permanent, heavenly homeland. This concept underpins the Christian identity as 'aliens and strangers' (1 Peter 2:11) in the world.
In the Greco-Roman world, a πάροικος (paroikos) was a resident foreigner with limited rights, distinct from a citizen. In Jewish context, it recalled the experience of the Israelites in Egypt and the patriarchs in Canaan. This cultural understanding of provisional residence and lack of full belonging deeply informs the biblical usage.
παροικία (paroikia, G3940) — the noun form meaning 'sojourning, dwelling as a stranger.' παρεπίδημος (parepidēmos, G3927) — a synonym meaning 'sojourner, temporary resident,' used in 1 Peter 2:11. οἰκέω (oikeō, G3611) — the root verb meaning simply 'to dwell, inhabit,' without the connotation of foreignness.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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