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G3625 ยท Greek ยท New Testament
ฮฟแผฐฮบฮฟฯ…ฮผฮญฮฝฮท
oikoumene
Noun, feminine
the inhabited earth, the world, the Roman Empire

Definition

Oikoumene (G3625) originally referred to the inhabited, civilized world โ€” in the Roman era, effectively the Empire. In the New Testament it carries eschatological weight: the gospel must be preached to the whole oikoumene before the end (Matthew 24:14). Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the oikoumene in the temptation.

Usage & Theological Significance

The word encodes the scope of both Satan's claim and God's redemption. Luke 2:1 uses it for Caesar's empire โ€” suggesting the political world-order into which the Savior of the whole oikoumene was born. Acts 17:6 records the charge against Paul's companions: 'These people who have been turning the world [oikoumene] upside down.' The gospel is inherently world-shaking.

Key Bible Verses

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world [oikoumene] as a testimony to all nations.
Luke 2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world [oikoumene].
Acts 17:6 These men who have caused trouble all over the world [oikoumene] have now come here.
Revelation 12:9 That ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world [oikoumene] astray.
Hebrews 2:5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come [oikoumene].

Related Words

External Resources

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