The meaning of “ψυχή”
Understanding psychḗ reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you. - breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the ani...
ψυχή
heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you. - breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only - thus distinguished on the one hand from πνεῦμα, which is the rational and immortal soul - and on the other from ζωή, which is mere vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ, רוּחַ and חַי)
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew 12:18 | “Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.” Word: ψυχή (psychḗ) | |
| John 12:25 | “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” Word: ψυχή (psychḗ) | |
| 1 Corinthians 15:45 | “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.” Word: ψυχή (psychḗ) | |
| Philippians 2:30 | “Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me. ” Word: ψυχή (psychḗ) | |
| James 5:20 | “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. ” Word: ψυχή (psychḗ) |
Theological Word Study: Soul
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Soul, life, self
The Hebrew nephesh (נֶפֶשׁ) denotes the soul or life—the immaterial essence of a person. It represents the whole person, their desires, emotions, and will. God breathed into man and he became 'a living soul' (Genesis 2:7).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Soul, life, self
The Greek psuche (ψυχή) means soul or life—the seat of emotions and will. Jesus asked, 'What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?' (Mark 8:36).