Hebrew · H1818, H5315 · unreviewed

הַדָּם הוּא הַנֶּפֶשׁ

Blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood) · properly, a breathing creature , i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality ; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)

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.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

דָּם H1818 blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood)
Pronunciation dām
Blood as life-force whose shedding marks covenant, atonement, and culpability before God throughout scripture
Open lexicon entry →
נֶפֶשׁ H5315 properly, a breathing creature , i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality ; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
Pronunciation nafsho
Vitality or lifeforce of a creature; ranges from physical breath to desire, appetite, and personal identity or selfhood.
Open lexicon entry →

What does הַדָּם הוּא הַנֶּפֶשׁ (ha-dam hu ha-nefesh) mean in the Bible?

דָּם · נֶפֶשׁ is a Hebrew word meaning "The blood is the life — the theological ground of the blood prohibition".

Full entry for הַדָּם הוּא הַנֶּפֶשׁ (H1818, H5315) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

The blood is the life — the theological ground of the blood prohibition
Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Cross-Language Connections

Greek words that correspond to or develop the meaning of this Hebrew word in the New Testament.

Sources