What does כֹּל · נֶפֶשׁ · שָׁרַץ · אֶרֶץ mean in the Bible?
כֹּל · נֶפֶשׁ · שָׁרַץ · אֶרֶץ is a Hebrew phrase meaning "properly, the whole ; hence, all , any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)".
Hebrew · H3605, H5315, H8317, H776
כָּל־נֶפֶשׁ הַשֹּׁרֶצֶת עַל־הָאָרֶץ
Properly, the whole ; hence, all , any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense) · properly, a breathing creature , i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality ; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental) · to wriggle , i.e. (by implication) swarm or abound · the earth (at large, or partitively a land )
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
כֹּל H3605 properly, the whole ; hence, all , any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Pronunciation kōl
Encompasses totality from singular form—"the whole" as foundational sense enabling distributive "every" and collective "all" meanings.
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 →
שָׁרַץ H8317 to wriggle , i.e. (by implication) swarm or abound
Pronunciation šāraṣ
Movement from creeping/wriggling to abundant proliferation; connotes teeming, fertile multiplication in natural or ceremonial contexts.
Open lexicon entry →
אֶרֶץ H776 the earth (at large, or partitively a land )
Pronunciation erets
Physical ground and soil extend metaphorically to inhabited territory, nation, and cosmic order under divine rule.
Open lexicon entry →
What does כָּל־נֶפֶשׁ הַשֹּׁרֶצֶת עַל־הָאָרֶץ (kol-nep̄eš haššōreṣeṯ ʿal-hāʾāreṣ) mean in the Bible?
כֹּל · נֶפֶשׁ · שָׁרַץ · אֶרֶץ is a Hebrew phrase meaning "properly, the whole ; hence, all , any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)".
Full entry for כָּל־נֶפֶשׁ הַשֹּׁרֶצֶת עַל־הָאָרֶץ (H3605, H5315, H8317, H776) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H3605, H5315, H8317, H776?
H3605, H5315, H8317, H776 is connected to 8,693 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. properly, the whole ; hence, all , any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Strong's H3605, H5315, H8317, H776
Lexical occurrences 8,693 verses Source Gloss
properly, the whole ; hence, all , any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Word Origins
כָּל־נֶפֶשׁ הַשֹּׁרֶצֶת עַל־הָאָרֶץ is built from this root:
כָּלַל H3634
Cross-Language Connections
Greek words that correspond to or develop the meaning of this Hebrew word in the New Testament.
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
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain