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tents in the Bible

Various words have been translated as tents in the Bible.

1. ohel

   Hebrew: אֹהֶל —transliteration: ohel —meaning: a tent —occurrences: 345

   The first uses of this word in Scripture is in Genesis and Job.

   And Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and have livestock. —Genesis 4:20

   You will know that your tent is at peace,
   For you will visit your abode and fear no loss. —Job 5:24

   This word is also used of a dwelling or habitation (1 Kings 8:66; Isaiah 16:5; Jeremiah 4:20), and of the temple (Ezek. 41:1).

   When used of the tabernacle, as in 1 Kings 1:39, it denotes the covering of goat’s hair which was placed over the מִשְׁכַּן (mishkan), below, another Hebrew name for the Holy Tabernacle of God.

2. mishkan

   Hebrew: מִשְׁכָּן —transliteration: miskcan —meaning: dwelling place; residence; tabernacle

   …By the dwellings [mishkan] of the shepherds. —Song of Songs 1:8

   used also of a dwelling (Job 18:21; Psalm 87:2)

   the grave (Isaiah 22:16; compare 14:18)

   the temple (Psalm 46:4; 84:2; 132:5)

   the tabernacle (Exodus 25:9; 26:1; 40:9; Numbers 1:50, 53; 10:11).

   When distinguished from ohel, it denotes the 12 interior curtains which lay upon the framework of the tabernacle.

3. qubbah

   Hebrew: קֻבָּה —transliteration: qubbah or kubbah —meaning: a large vaulted tent —occurrences: 1

   “and he went after the man of Israel into the tent…” —Numbers 25:8 excerpt

   This was a dome-like ritual tent devoted to the pagan worship of the false god Baal-peor.

4. Hebrew: succah (), a tent or booth made of green boughs or branches (see Genesis 33:17; Leviticus 23:34, 42; Psalm 18:11; Jonah 4:5; Isaiah 4:6; Neh. 8:15-17, where the word is variously rendered).

   Jubal was “the father of such as dwell in tents” (Genesis 4:20). The patriarchs were “dwellers in tents” (Genesis 9:21, 27; 12:8; 13:12; 26:17); and during their wilderness wanderings all Israel dwelt in tents (Exodus 16:16; Deuteronomy 33:18; Joshua 7:24). Tents have always occupied a prominent place in Eastern life (1 Samuel 17:54; 2 Kings 7:7; Psalm 120:5; Song of Songs 1:5). Paul the apostle's occupation was that of a tent-maker (Acts 18:3); i.e., perhaps a maker of tent cloth.

5. chanah

   Hebrew: חָנָה —transliteration: chanah —meaning: to decline, bend down, encamp —occurrences: 143

   Translations of this word in English Bible’s include: “abide in tents,” “camp,” “encamp,” “pitch tent,” “rest in tent,” “lie,” “dwell,” “grow to an end”

6. skéné

   Greek: σκηνή —transliteration: skéné —plural: skēnas —meaning: a tent; tabernacle —occurrences: 20

   Translations of this word in English include: a tent, booth, tabernacle(s), abode, dwelling(s), habitation(s)

   Examples: “dwelling in tents [skēnas] with Isaac and Jacob” (Hebrews 11:9) / “if You wish, I will make three booths [skēnas] here” (Matthew 17:4) / “the sanctuary of the tabernacle [skēnēs] of testimony in heaven” (Revelation 15:5)

   • What is a tabernacle and what is the Holy Tabernacle?

7. skénopoios

   Greek: σκηνοποιός —transliteration: skénopoios —from: skéné [tent] and poieó [to make] —meaning: making tents —occurrences: 1

   “…by trade they were tent-makers [σκηνοποιοὶ],” —Acts 18:3 excerpt

8. skénos

   Greek: σκῆνος —transliteration: skénos —meaning: a tent; tabernacle

   For we know that if the earthly tent [skēnous] which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. …For indeed while we are in this tent [skēnei], we groan —2 Corinthians 5:1,4

More information

• camp
• encamp
• What is a tabernacle and what is the Holy Tabernacle?