Bible Dictionary
HOUSE OF GOD
The house of God may refer to Bethel, the tabernacle, or the temple as the place of divine worship. In the New Testament it also describes the church, the community of believers as God’s household.
Definition
The house of God may refer to a sanctuary, including Bethel, the tabernacle, the temple, or the second temple. In the New Testament it can also mean the church or community of believers as God’s household.
Biblical Usage
The expression identifies places of worship in the Old Testament and is used of the sanctuary, tabernacle, and temple. Spiritually, the New Testament calls the church the house of God and associates believers with God’s household and temple.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>In Ge 28:17,22 = BETHEL (which see). In Jgs, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezr, Neh, Ps, etc. (beth ha-'elohim), a designation of the sanctuary = "house of Yahweh" (of the tabernacle, Jud 18:31; 20:18,26 the King James Version; of the temple, 1Ch 9:11; 24:5 the King James Version; 2Ch 5:14; Ps 42:4; Isa 2:3, etc.; of the 2nd temple, Ezr 5:8,15; Ne 6:10; 13:11; compare Mt 12:4). Spiritually, in the New Testament, the "house of God" (oikos theou) is the church or community of believers (1Ti 3:15; Heb 10:21; 1Pe 4:17; compare 1Co 3:9,16,17; 1Pe 2:5).</p>