Brief Overview of παροικία (Strong’s G3940: paroikia)

Strong’s G3940: A compound noun combining παρά (beside) with οἶκος (house), meaning “sojourning, temporary residence, exile.” Used to describe Israel’s sojourn in Egypt and believers’ earthly pilgrimage. Reflects both historical Jewish exile experience and Christian understanding of life as temporary residence away from heavenly home.

U- Unveiling the Word

παροικία represents the state of dwelling as a foreigner or temporary resident. In Acts, it describes Israel’s Egyptian sojourn, while Peter uses it to characterize the Christian life as temporary exile. The compound structure emphasizes living alongside but not belonging. Early church fathers extensively used this term to develop theology of Christian pilgrimage and heavenly citizenship. Today, it informs Christian understanding of cultural engagement and spiritual identity.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: παροικία, paroikia, /par-oy-KEE-ah/
• Detailed pronunciation: par (as in ‘par’) + oy (as in ‘boy’) + KEE (stressed) + ah
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• παρα- (para-): beside
• οἶκος (oikos): house
• -ία (-ia): abstract noun suffix

D – Defining Meanings

• Sojourning
• Temporary residence
• State of exile

For compound words:
παρα- combines with οἶκος and -ία to create an abstract noun describing the state of dwelling alongside as a foreigner

Translation Options:

• “Sojourn” – emphasizes temporary nature
• “Exile” – stresses displacement aspect
• “Pilgrimage” – captures spiritual journey

E – Exploring Similar Words

• κατοικία (katoikia) /kat-oy-KEE-ah/ – permanent dwelling
• μετοικεσία (metoikesia) /met-oy-keh-SEE-ah/ – migration
• ξενιτεία (xeniteia) /ksen-it-EE-ah/ – life in a foreign land

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a noun, παροικία exhibits:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: 1st

Examples:
παροικία (nom.)
παροικίας (gen.)
παροικίᾳ (dat.)
παροικίαν (acc.)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both literal and metaphorical exile. Thayer’s notes its use for Israel’s sojourns. LSJ documents secular usage for foreign residence. Vine’s highlights its spiritual applications. Moulton and Milligan note legal usage.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their [παροικία] stay in the land of Egypt” (Acts 13:17)

Additional References:
1 Peter 1:17

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

παροικία encapsulates both historical experiences of displacement and theological understanding of Christian life as temporary residence awaiting heavenly citizenship.

D – Did You Know?

• The term influenced the development of “parish” in Christian usage
• It appears frequently in the Septuagint describing Israel’s wanderings
• The word shaped early Christian self-understanding as “resident aliens”

[Lexicon Summary]
A compound noun combining παρά (beside) with οἶκος (house), meaning “sojourning, temporary residence, exile.” Used to describe Israel’s sojourn in Egypt and believers’ earthly pilgrimage. Reflects both historical Jewish exile experience and Christian understanding of life as temporary residence away from heavenly home.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: #noun #sojourning #exile #pilgrimage #israel #christian_life #compound_word #biblical_greek #new_testament #heavenly_citizenship​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​