The meaning of “חַי”
Understanding chay reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
[phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), ma...
חַי
[phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. - alive - hence, raw (flesh) - fresh (plant, water, year), strong - also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) n m 2) relatives 3) life (abstract emphatic) 3a) life 3b) sustenance, maintenance n f 4) living thing, animal 4a) animal 4b) life 4c) appetite 4d) revival, renewal 5) community
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 9:3 | “Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.” Word: חַי (chay) | |
| Joshua 4:14 | “On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.” Word: חַי (chay) | |
| 1 Kings 12:6 | “And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?” Word: חַי (chay) | |
| Proverbs 11:30 | “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Word: חַי (chay) | |
| Lamentations 3:53 | “They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and cast a stone upon me.” Word: חַי (chay) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Life
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Life, living
The Hebrew chayyim (חַיִּים) means life—existence, vitality, and well-being. God is the source of all life, and He offers 'the fountain of life' (Psalm 36:9) to those who seek Him.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Life
The Greek zōē (ζωή) denotes life—particularly spiritual and eternal life. Jesus declared 'I am the way, the truth, and the life' (John 14:6) and came that believers 'might have life, and have it more abundantly' (John 10:10).