Greek · G5590 · unreviewed

ψυχή

Soul

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

ψυχή G5590

Pronunciation psychḗ

What does ψυχή (psychḗ) mean in the Bible?

ψυχή (psychḗ) is a Greek word meaning "soul". ψυχή, -ῆς, ἡ, [in LXX very frequently for נֶפֶשׁ, sometimes for לֵבַב ,לֵב, etc. Highlights eternal stakes. This term runs through the canonical themes of Canonical Anchor.

Full entry for ψυχή (G5590) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

soul

Extended definition

The animating life-principle that encompasses will, desires, and affections as the seat of personal identity

1breath (Lat. anima), breath of life, life (Hom., al.; in Arist., of the vital principle): Mat.6:25, Mrk.3:4 10:45, Luk.12:22, Jhn.10:11, Act.20:10, 24 2Co.1:23, Php.2:30, 1Th.2:8, al.

2the soul,

aas the seat of the will, desires and affections: Mat.26:38, Mrk.12:30" (LXX) 14:34, Luk.1:46, Jhn.10:24, Act.14:2, Php.1:27, al.; ἐκ ψυχῆς, from the heart, heartily: Eph.6:6, Col.3:23;

bas a periphrasis for person or self (frequently in translation from Semitic originals, see M, Pr., 87; Robinson, Gospels, 113ff.; but also frequently in cl., see LS, see word II, 2; Edwards, Lex., App. A.): Mat.11:29, Mrk.8:36, Act.2:41, Rom.2:9, 1Pe.3:20, al.; πᾶσα ψ., Act.2:43 3:23" (LXX), Rom.13:1; ψ. ζῶσα (ζωῆς), 1Co.15:45, Rev.16:3; __(with) as the object of divine grace and eternal salvation: Heb.13:17, Jas.1:21 5:20, 1Pe.1:9, 22 2:11 4:19, 3Jo.2.

Synonymssee: νοῦς, πνεῦμα, ψυχικός, and cf. ICC on 1Th.5:23, Lft., Notes, 88f.

Source: STEPBible TBESG + Abbott-Smith

Why This Word Matters

Highlights eternal stakes.

Highlights the eternal dimension neglected by the rich fool.

Emphasizes eternal personhood beyond temporal gain.

Life given in substitution for the sheep.

Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Singular · Feminine Matt 6:25 · Matt 12:18 · Matt 26:38 · Mark 14:34 · Luke 1:46 · Luke 12:23 · John 12:27 · Acts 3:23 · Acts 4:32 · Acts 20:10 · Rom 13:1 · 1 Thess 5:23 · Heb 10:38 · 3 John 1:2 · Rev 16:3 15×

Nominative · Plural · Feminine Acts 2:41 · Acts 27:37 · 1 Pet 3:20 3×

Genitive · Singular · Feminine Matt 16:26 · Mark 8:37 · Mark 12:30 · Acts 27:22 · Rom 16:4 · Eph 6:6 · Col 3:23 · Heb 4:12 · Heb 6:19 · Heb 10:39 · 1 Pet 2:11 · Rev 18:14 12×

Genitive · Plural · Feminine Acts 27:10 · 2 Cor 12:15 · Heb 13:17 · 1 Pet 1:9 · 1 Pet 2:25 5×

Dative · Singular · Feminine Matt 6:25 · Matt 22:37 · Luke 10:27 · Luke 12:19 · Luke 12:22 · Acts 2:43 · Phil 1:27 · Phil 2:30 8×

Dative · Plural · Feminine Matt 11:29 · Acts 7:14 · Heb 12:3 3×

Accusative · Singular · Feminine Matt 2:20 · Matt 10:28 · Matt 10:39 · Matt 16:25 · Matt 16:26 · Matt 20:28 · Mark 3:4 · Mark 8:35 · Mark 8:36 · Mark 10:45 · Luke 2:35 · Luke 6:9 · Luke 9:24 · Luke 12:20 · Luke 14:26 · Luke 17:33 40×

Accusative · Plural · Feminine Luke 21:19 · Acts 14:2 · Acts 14:22 · Acts 15:24 · Acts 15:26 · 1 Thess 2:8 · Jas 1:21 · 1 Pet 1:22 · 1 Pet 4:19 · 2 Pet 2:14 · 1 John 3:16 · Rev 6:9 · Rev 8:9 · Rev 18:13 · Rev 20:4 15×

Vocative · Singular · Feminine Luke 12:19 1×

Canonical Themes

Canonical Anchor

Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

Additional Occurrences

John 10:1-21 ψ...χή psychḗ

life

Luke 9:23–27 ψυχή psychḗ

Life, soul

Mark 10:35–45 ψυχή psychḗ

life, soul

Mark 8:34–38 ψυχή psychḗ

life, soul, self

New Testament Witnesses

Luke 12:13–21 ψυχή psychḗ Dative · Singular · Feminine

soul

Luke 9:23–27 ψυχή psychḗ Accusative · Singular · Feminine

life/soul

Mark 8:34–38 ψυχή psychḗ Genitive · Singular · Feminine

life, soul

Cross-Language Connections

Hebrew roots and equivalents that share conceptual or etymological ground with this Greek word.

נֶפֶשׁ nafsho H5315 Related Hebrew

properly, a breathing creature , i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality ; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)

רוּחַ rûaḥ H7307 Related Hebrew

wind ; by resemblance breath , i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation ; figuratively, life , anger , unsubstantiality ; by extension, a region of the sky ; by resemblance spirit , but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions)

חַי ḥay H2416 Related Hebrew

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

Appears In

Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Acts 20 — Paul’s Farewell Charge to Shepherd the Church of God Acts 27 — The Storm, the Shipwreck, and the Promise of God Colossians 3 — Raised with Christ: Putting Off the Old Life and Putting On the New John 10 — The Good Shepherd, the Door, and the Son One with the Father John 12 — The Anointed King, the Lifted-Up Son of Man, and the Hour of Glory John 13 — The Servant-Lord, the Washed Disciples, and the New Command of Love John 15 — The True Vine, Abiding Fruitfulness, Christlike Love, and the World’s Hatred Luke 12 — Fear God, Confess Christ, Seek the Kingdom, and Be Ready Luke 17 — Faithful Servants, Grateful Cleansing, and the Coming Kingdom Luke 6 — The Lord of the Sabbath Forms a Kingdom People Luke 9 — The Christ Revealed, the Cross Announced, and the Jerusalem Road Begun Mark 10 — The Way of the Servant King: Marriage, Children, Wealth, Cross, Ransom, and Sight Mark 12 — The Rejected Son, the Greatest Commandment, the Lord of David, and the Widow’s Offering Mark 3 — The Servant-King Confronted: Sabbath Mercy, Demonic Accusation, and the Family of God Mark 8 — Seeing Jesus Clearly: Bread, Blindness, Confession, Cross, and Discipleship Matthew 10 — The Mission of the Twelve, Costly Witness, and Allegiance to Christ Matthew 16 — The Confession of the Christ, the Church Christ Builds, and the Cross-Shaped Way of Discipleship Matthew 20 — The First-Last Kingdom, the Ransom-Giving Son of Man, and Mercy for the Blind Matthew 22 — The Wedding Banquet, the King’s Invitation, and the Messiah Who Is David’s Lord Matthew 6 — Hidden Righteousness, the Father’s Reward, and Seeking First the Kingdom Philippians 2 — The Mind of Christ and the Humility of Gospel Witness Romans 13 — Submission to Governing Authorities, Love as the Fulfillment of the Law, and Life in the Light of the Coming Day

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details