The Greek noun skene (σκηνή) means tent, tabernacle, or temporary dwelling. It appears about 20 times in the NT, primarily in Hebrews and Revelation. It translates the Hebrew ohel (tent) and mishkan (tabernacle).
Skene is one of the NT's most theologically rich architectural words. The wilderness tabernacle (skene) was the focal point of Hebrews' argument: the earthly skene was 'a copy and shadow of what is in heaven' (Hebrews 8:5). Hebrews 9 describes the tabernacle's two compartments and their regulations, arguing that Christ entered the greater and more perfect skene — the heavenly sanctuary — with His own blood, securing eternal redemption. The Feast of Tabernacles (Skene festival) was Israel's joyful harvest celebration, looking forward to God's ultimate dwelling with His people. Revelation's climax is the skene of God among humanity (Revelation 21:3). The entire Mosaic system was skene-theology — pointing to the incarnate Christ who is God's true and permanent Tabernacle.