Word Studies¶
Question¶
What does Scripture explicitly say about the nature and composition of human beings (biblical anthropology)? Focus on nephesh (soul), ruach (spirit), neshamah (breath), the creation of man, whether humans ARE souls or HAVE souls, and what happens at death.
H5315 — nephesh¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/H5315-nephesh.md
Occurrences: 788
Feminine noun from H5314 (naphash, to breathe). 682 unique verses, 788 tokens, across 31 books. 214 unique KJV translations — the broadest translation range of any Hebrew word. Primarily rendered 'soul' (64%), 'life' (14%), 'person' (4%), 'creature' (1%), 'body/dead body' (1%). First occurrence Gen 1:20 for sea creatures — applied to animals before humans. Used for the whole person (Gen 2:7), life at risk (Job 2:4), desire/appetite (Deu 14:26), reflexive pronoun 'self' (Amos 6:8), and corpses (Num 6:6, nephesh meth). Key: man BECAME a nephesh (Gen 2:7), not received one. Nephesh can die (Ezek 18:4), be destroyed (Matt 10:28 via psyche), and depart at death (Gen 35:18). LXX maps to psyche G5590 599 times (87%).
Semantic categories: breathing creature, whole person, life at risk, desire/appetite, self/reflexive, corpse/dead body
Key verses: Gen 1:20, Gen 2:7, Gen 35:18, Lev 21:11, Num 6:6, Ezek 18:4, Deu 14:26
Relevance: The central Hebrew anthropological term. Its extraordinary semantic breadth (214 translations) proves it cannot be equated with the Greek philosophical 'immortal soul.' Man BECAME a nephesh — the holistic, integrated being is the nephesh.
H7307 — ruach¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/H7307-ruach.md
Occurrences: 434
Feminine noun. 434 OT occurrences. Translated 'spirit' (54%), 'wind' (21%), 'breath' (8%). Six semantic categories: Spirit of God, wind, breath/life-force, human spirit/disposition, spirit beings, vanity. Key anthropological uses: ruach as the life-force God gives and takes back (Job 34:14-15, Psa 104:29-30), ruach shared by humans AND animals (Ecc 3:19 — ruach echad), ruach returning to God at death (Ecc 12:7). Ruach is NEVER used for corpses (unlike nephesh), suggesting it is the animating principle while nephesh is the whole being. LXX maps to pneuma G4151 235 times (~90%).
Semantic categories: Spirit of God, wind, breath/life-force, human disposition, spirit beings, vanity/futility
Key verses: Gen 1:2, Gen 6:17, Ecc 3:19, Ecc 12:7, Psa 104:29-30, Psa 146:4, Job 34:14-15
Relevance: The breath/spirit that animates all living things. Shared by humans and animals. Returns to God at death — not a conscious entity going to heaven, but the life-force returning to its source.
H5397 — neshamah¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/H5397-nshamah.md
Occurrences: 25
Feminine noun from H5395 (nasham, to blow away). Only 24 unique verses (25 tokens) across 10 books — the rarest of the three key anthropological terms. Translated 'breath' (42%), 'breathe/breatheth' (21%), 'blast' (12.5%), 'spirit' (8%), 'inspiration' (4%). Five semantic categories: breath of life at creation (Gen 2:7), divine blast in judgment (Job 4:9), total annihilation formula (Deu 20:16), human inner life/illumination (Pro 20:27, Job 32:8), every living being (Psa 150:6). Specifically the word used in Gen 2:7 for what God breathed into man (not ruach). LXX maps primarily to pnoe G4157 (14x, PMI 9.36), preserving its physical-breath nuance.
Semantic categories: breath of life, divine blast, total annihilation, illumination/understanding, every living being
Key verses: Gen 2:7, Gen 7:22, Job 32:8, Job 33:4, Pro 20:27, Isa 42:5, Psa 150:6
Relevance: The rarest and most specific of the three key terms. Used exclusively for the divine breath that gives life. Its presence in Gen 2:7 distinguishes that creation act. Job dominates with 7 of 24 occurrences. The LXX maps it to pnoe (physical breath) rather than pneuma (spirit), preserving its concrete breath-of-life nuance.
G5590 — psyche¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/G5590-psyche.md
Occurrences: 104
Feminine noun from psycho (to breathe). 105 NT occurrences (87 in KJV translation DB). Translated 'soul/souls' (60%), 'life/lives' (33%), 'mind' (2%), 'heart' (2%). Five semantic categories: inner self/emotions (Matt 26:38), physical life (Matt 16:25), person/individual for counting (Acts 2:41), living creature (Rev 16:3), mind/will (Eph 6:6). LXX renders nephesh as psyche 599 times — direct semantic parallel. Derives from breathing root, describing what a creature IS when alive. Can be destroyed by God (Matt 10:28). Applied to sea creatures (Rev 16:3).
Semantic categories: inner self, physical life, person/individual, living creature, mind/will
Key verses: Matt 10:28, Matt 16:25, Acts 2:41, Rev 16:3, 1 Thess 5:23
Relevance: NT equivalent of nephesh. The note on the Thayer lexicon definition is important — it calls pneuma 'the rational and immortal soul,' but that imports a Greek-philosophical assumption Scripture does not support.
G4151 — pneuma¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/G4151-pneuma.md
Occurrences: 385
Neuter noun from pneo (to blow, breathe). 385 NT occurrences (342 indexed). Translated 'Spirit/spirit' (62%), 'Ghost' (25%), 'spirits' (8%). Seven semantic categories: Holy Spirit (dominant ~50%), evil spirits (~8%), human spirit/disposition (~35%), life-force/animating breath, disembodied spirits, wind/breath (rare), figurative. LXX renders ruach as pneuma 235 times (~90%). Key anthropological uses: 'the body without the spirit is dead' (Jas 2:26), 'yielded up the ghost' (Matt 27:50), spirit listed alongside soul and body (1 Thess 5:23).
Semantic categories: Holy Spirit, evil spirits, human spirit, life-force, disembodied spirits, wind/breath, figurative power
Key verses: Matt 27:50, John 3:8, Acts 2:4, 1 Thess 5:23, Jas 2:26, 1 Cor 15:45
Relevance: NT equivalent of ruach. The dominant NT usage is for the Holy Spirit. In anthropological contexts, pneuma is the animating breath/spirit — when it departs, the body is dead (Jas 2:26).
G4157 — pnoe¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/G4157-pnoe.md
Occurrences: 2
Feminine noun, cognate of pneuma. Only 2 NT occurrences: Acts 2:2 (rushing mighty wind at Pentecost) and Acts 17:25 (God gives to all life, breath, and all things). LXX uses pnoe for neshamah 14 times — preserving the physical breath nuance of neshamah. Key relevance: Acts 17:25 affirms God as the sustainer of all breath/life.
Semantic categories: physical breath, wind
Key verses: Acts 2:2, Acts 17:25
Relevance: NT equivalent of neshamah via LXX bridge. Acts 17:25 parallels the OT theme of God sustaining all life through breath.
H4194 — maveth¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/H4194-maveth.md
Occurrences: 170
Masculine noun from muwth H4191 (to die). 153 unique verses, 170 tokens across 27 books. Translated 'death' (~92%), 'died/dead' (~8%). Seven semantic categories: biographical marker ('after the death of X'), legal penalty, death personified, life-death moral contrast (Deu 30:15), deliverance from death, realm/destination, death defeated (Isa 25:8). LXX maps to thanatos G2288 97 times (PMI 5.98). Paired with sheol H7585 in 15 verses in synonymous parallelism.
Semantic categories: biographical marker, legal penalty, personified power, moral contrast with life, deliverance from, realm/destination, defeated/swallowed up
Key verses: Deu 30:15, Isa 25:8, Hos 13:14, Psa 49:14, Job 38:17
Relevance: The primary Hebrew noun for death. The same word is used for all types of death — physical, judicial, and eschatological. No separate vocabulary exists for different 'kinds' of death.
G2288 — thanatos¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/G2288-thanatos.md
Occurrences: 119
Masculine noun from thnesko (to die). 106 unique verses, 119 tokens across 15 NT books. Translated 'death' (100% effectively). Primary LXX bridge from maveth H4194 (97 co-occurrences, PMI 5.98). Highest density in Romans (4.6/100v) and Philippians (4.8/100v). Used for physical death, spiritual death, and the second death — same vocabulary for all.
Semantic categories: physical death, spiritual death, second death, death personified, death defeated
Key verses: Rom 5:12, Rom 6:23, 1 Cor 15:54-55, Rev 20:14, Rev 21:8
Relevance: NT equivalent of maveth. The same word covers all kinds of death. 'Death is swallowed up in victory' (1 Cor 15:54 quoting Isa 25:8).
G110 — athanasia¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/G110-athanasia.md
Occurrences: 3
Feminine noun. Alpha-privative (a-) + thanatos (death) = deathlessness. Only 3 NT occurrences: 1 Tim 6:16 (God ALONE has it), 1 Cor 15:53 and 15:54 (mortals PUT ON immortality at resurrection). All three in accusative singular feminine — functioning as direct object of 'having' or 'putting on.' Exclusively Pauline. No Hebrew source via LXX. Concept of deathlessness present in OT imagery (tree of life, Isa 25:8) but the word is uniquely Greek/NT.
Semantic categories: exclusive divine attribute, eschatological transformation
Key verses: 1 Tim 6:16, 1 Cor 15:53, 1 Cor 15:54
Relevance: The most critical word for the immortality question. Only 3 occurrences — God alone HAS it; humans must PUT IT ON at the resurrection. The word's extreme rarity and exclusive assignment to God (as present possession) or believers (as future acquisition) directly addresses whether humans have inherently immortal souls.
G861 — aphtharsia¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/G861-aphtharsia.md
Occurrences: 8
Feminine noun. Alpha-privative (a-) + phtheiro (to corrupt/decay) = incorruptibility. 8 unique verses across 5 books. Translated 'incorruption' (50%), 'immortality' (25%), 'sincerity' (25%). Three semantic categories: resurrection transformation (1 Cor 15:42, 50, 53, 54), object of aspiration (Rom 2:7, 2 Tim 1:10), ethical purity (Eph 6:24, Tit 2:7). Exclusively Pauline. Paired with athanasia in 1 Cor 15:53-54: corruptible/incorruption and mortal/immortality.
Semantic categories: resurrection transformation, object of aspiration, ethical purity
Key verses: Rom 2:7, 1 Cor 15:42, 1 Cor 15:53-54, 2 Tim 1:10
Relevance: Something humans SEEK (Rom 2:7) and PUT ON at resurrection (1 Cor 15:53-54). Christ 'brought life and immortality to light through the gospel' (2 Tim 1:10). Not a present human possession.
G862 — aphthartos¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/G862-aphthartos.md
Occurrences: 7
Adjective. Alpha-privative + phtheiro = incorruptible/undecaying. 7 verses across 4 books. Applied to God (Rom 1:23, 1 Tim 1:17), the resurrection body (1 Cor 15:52), the Christian's reward (1 Cor 9:25), and the believer's inheritance and new birth (1 Pet 1:4, 23; 3:4). Contrasted with phthartos (corruptible) applied to man (Rom 1:23).
Semantic categories: divine attribute, resurrection body, imperishable reward, incorruptible character
Key verses: Rom 1:23, 1 Tim 1:17, 1 Cor 15:52, 1 Pet 1:4
Relevance: Applied to God as an inherent attribute; applied to humans only in the future tense or through divine gift. The Rom 1:23 contrast (incorruptible God vs. corruptible man) is direct evidence against inherent human immortality.
G2349 — thnetos¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/G2349-thnetos.md
Occurrences: 6
Adjective from thnesko (to die) = mortal, liable to die. 6 verses across 3 books (exclusively Pauline). Applied to human body/flesh: the mortal body under sin (Rom 6:12), mortal bodies awaiting resurrection quickening (Rom 8:11), mortal putting on immortality (1 Cor 15:53-54), life manifested in mortal flesh (2 Cor 4:11), mortality swallowed up by life (2 Cor 5:4). Paired directly with athanasia (G110) in 1 Cor 15:53: 'this mortal must put on immortality.'
Semantic categories: mortal body under sin, mortal body awaiting resurrection, mortal-to-immortal transformation, life in mortal flesh
Key verses: Rom 6:12, Rom 8:11, 1 Cor 15:53-54, 2 Cor 4:11, 2 Cor 5:4
Relevance: Applied to human bodies 6 times. Confirms mortality as the present human condition. Paired with athanasia as its antonym — mortality must be REPLACED by immortality at the resurrection.
H6754 — tselem¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/H6754-tselem.md
Occurrences: 18
Masculine noun from unused root 'to shade.' 15 unique verses (18 tokens) across 8 books. Translated 'image/images' (87%), 'pictures' (7%), 'vain shew' (7%). Four semantic categories: humanity in God's image (Gen 1:26-27, 9:6), cult-images to destroy (Num 33:52), crafted figures (1 Sam 6:5), fleeting appearance (Psa 39:6). Paired with demuth (H1823, likeness) in Gen 1:26 and 5:3. LXX maps to eikon G1504 (10x, PMI 8.98). The image of God distinguishes humans from animals and is the basis for human dignity (Gen 9:6).
Semantic categories: image of God in humanity, cult-images, crafted figures, fleeting appearance
Key verses: Gen 1:26-27, Gen 5:3, Gen 9:6, Psa 39:6
Relevance: What makes humans unique is the image of God (tselem + demuth), not the possession of nephesh or ruach (which animals also have). The image persists after the Fall (Gen 9:6) and in the NT (1 Cor 11:7, Jas 3:9).
H3820 — leb¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/H3820-leb.md
Occurrences: 654
Masculine noun. 550 unique verses (654 tokens) across 33 books. Translated 'heart' (~85%), 'understanding' (2%), 'mind' (1%). Six semantic categories: emotion (Gen 6:6), will/intention (Gen 8:21), intellect/wisdom (1 Kgs 3:9), moral condition (Gen 6:5), devotion/religious orientation (Jer 3:10), center/midst (spatial). The most frequent anthropological term in Hebrew. What modern Western anthropology assigns to 'soul' or 'mind,' Hebrew assigns to 'heart.' LXX maps to kardia G2588 436 times (PMI 4.8) — one of the strongest cross-testament bridges.
Semantic categories: emotion, will/intention, intellect/wisdom, moral condition, devotion, spatial center
Key verses: Gen 6:5, 1 Kgs 3:9, Pro 4:23, Jer 17:9-10, Deu 6:5
Relevance: The most frequent OT anthropological term after nephesh. The heart is the executive center of the whole person — encompassing thought, will, and emotion. What Greek philosophy separates into 'mind,' 'soul,' and 'will,' Hebrew locates in the single concept of leb.
G2588 — kardia¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/G2588-kardia.md
Occurrences: 160
Feminine noun. 160 tokens in 152 unique verses across 22 NT books. Translated 'heart/hearts' (100%). Seven semantic categories: thought/reasoning, belief/faith, emotion/affection, moral character/will, surface for God's law, object of divine knowledge, hardened/opened. LXX bridge from leb H3820 (436 co-occurrences, PMI 4.8). Pervasive: 22 of 27 NT books. The NT center of the entire inner life — intellect, will, and emotion.
Semantic categories: thought/reasoning, belief/faith, emotion/affection, moral character, divine law surface, divine knowledge object, hardened/opened
Key verses: Rom 10:9-10, Mat 5:8, Mat 15:18-19, Heb 8:10, Heb 4:12
Relevance: NT continuation of the OT heart concept. The heart is where faith dwells (Rom 10:10), where God writes His law (Heb 8:10), and what God searches (Heb 4:12). The 'inner man' language (Rom 7:22, Eph 3:16) corresponds to the OT 'heart' rather than to a separable soul.
H2416 — chay¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/H2416-chay.md
Occurrences: 531
Adjective/noun. 449 unique verses (531 tokens) across 29 books. Translated variously: 'liveth' (12%), 'living' (8.5%), 'life' (7.3%), 'alive' (6.5%), 'beast' (5.1%). Six semantic categories: living creatures (Gen 1:20), life as vitality (Lev 17:11), being alive (Deu 4:4), oath formula ('as the LORD lives'), living water (Jer 2:13), beast/animal. Part of the nephesh chayyah compound in Gen 2:7. LXX maps to zoe G2222 (136x) and zao G2198 (195x).
Semantic categories: living creature, vitality, being alive, oath formula, living water, beast/animal
Key verses: Gen 1:20, Gen 2:7, Lev 17:11, Deu 30:19
Relevance: Part of the foundational creation compound nephesh chayyah (living soul/creature). Applied to both animals and humans.
H7585 — sheol¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/H7585-showl.md
Occurrences: 68
Feminine noun. 64 unique verses (68 tokens) across 17 books. Translated 'hell' (48%), 'grave' (41%), 'pit' (5%). Six semantic categories: realm of the dead (Gen 37:35), descent (Num 16:33), paired with death (2 Sam 22:6), fate of the wicked (Psa 9:17), rescue from sheol (Psa 16:10), insatiable (Pro 27:20). Characterized by unconsciousness (Ecc 9:10 — no work, knowledge, wisdom in sheol), silence (Psa 115:17), and darkness. LXX maps to hades G86 (58x, PMI 8.31).
Semantic categories: realm of dead, descent, paired with death, fate of wicked, rescue from, insatiable
Key verses: Gen 37:35, Psa 16:10, Psa 9:17, Ecc 9:10, Isa 14:15
Relevance: The OT destination of the dead. Characterized by unconsciousness, silence, and inactivity. The righteous and wicked both go there. Rescue from sheol is associated with resurrection.
G86 — hades¶
Occurrences: 11
Proper locative noun. Alpha-privative (a-) + idein (to see) = 'unseen.' 11 NT occurrences. Translated 'hell' (64%), 'grave' (9%). LXX equivalent of sheol H7585 (58 co-occurrences, PMI 8.31). Key verses: Mat 11:23, Mat 16:18 ('gates of hades'), Luk 10:15, Luk 16:23 (rich man in hades — parable), Acts 2:27 and 2:31 (quoting Psa 16:10), 1 Cor 15:55 ('O grave, where is thy victory?'), Rev 1:18 (Christ has the keys), Rev 6:8 (Death and Hades), Rev 20:13-14 (hades gives up its dead, then cast into lake of fire). Destroyed at the end — Rev 20:14.
Semantic categories: realm of dead, destination of dead, personified with death, destroyed at end
Key verses: Acts 2:27, Acts 2:31, 1 Cor 15:55, Rev 20:13-14, Mat 16:18
Relevance: NT equivalent of sheol. Continues the OT concept of the realm of the dead. Notably destroyed in Rev 20:14 — hades is temporary, not eternal. Christ holds the keys (Rev 1:18).
H1320 — basar¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/H1320-basar.md
Occurrences: 277
Masculine noun. 241 unique verses (277 tokens) across 27 books. Translated 'flesh' (~86%), 'body' (1%), 'kin' (1%). Used for physical flesh/body, kinship, all humanity ('all flesh'), and as contrast term to ruach/spirit. Key: Isa 31:3 — 'the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses flesh, not spirit' — the foundational OT flesh-spirit contrast is moral/qualitative, not ontological.
Semantic categories: physical flesh/body, kinship, all humanity, moral weakness vs divine power
Key verses: Gen 2:21, Gen 6:3, Isa 31:3, Lev 17:11
Relevance: The flesh-spirit contrast in the OT is about human weakness vs. divine power, not two ontological parts of man.
G4561 — sarx¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/G4561-sarx.md
Occurrences: 151
Feminine noun. 130 unique verses (151 tokens) across 22 NT books. Translated 'flesh' (60%), 'the flesh' (26%). Multiple semantic domains: body, human beings, kinship, sinful nature, desire. In Paul, sarx becomes the sinful principle opposing the Spirit — but Gal 5:19-21 lists 'works of the flesh' that include hatred, envy, strife — clearly not bodily sins. This confirms the moral/volitional meaning of sarx in Paul.
Semantic categories: physical body, humanity, kinship, sinful nature, desire
Key verses: Rom 8:5-8, Gal 5:19-21, John 1:14, John 3:6, John 6:63
Relevance: The NT flesh-spirit contrast continues the OT pattern. Sarx in Paul means the sinful orientation of the whole person, not the physical body. Works of the flesh include jealousy, envy, strife — obviously not bodily sins.
H4191 — muwth¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/H4191-muwth.md
Occurrences: 1028
Primitive root verb. 694 unique verses (1,028 tokens) across 28 books. Primary Hebrew death verb. Four stems: Qal (74% — to die), Hiphil (16% — to cause to die), Hophal (8% — to be put to death), Piel (1% — to kill intensively). The mot tamut (infinitive absolute) construction in Gen 2:17 is the same form used for judicial death penalties throughout the Pentateuch. First occurrence: Gen 2:17.
Semantic categories: natural death, judicial death, state of being dead, killing
Key verses: Gen 2:17, Ezek 18:4, Exo 21:12
Relevance: The mot tamut construction (Gen 2:17) is the same used for capital punishment — it invariably means actual death, not metaphorical separation.
G2222 — zoe¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/G2222-zoe.md
Occurrences: 134
Feminine noun from zao (to live). 126 unique verses (134 tokens) across 22 NT books. Translated 'life' (73%), 'of life' (25%). Highest density in 1 John (9.5/100v) and John (3.6/100v). Used for both physical life and eternal/spiritual life. Distinguished from psyche (soul/self who lives) and bios (livelihood). LXX bridge from chay H2416 (136 co-occurrences). Eternal life consistently presented as gift (Rom 6:23), promise (Tit 1:2), and something to seek (Rom 2:7) — conditional on Christ (1 John 5:11-12).
Semantic categories: physical life, eternal life, life as divine gift
Key verses: John 3:16, Rom 6:23, 1 John 5:11-12, John 14:6
Relevance: Eternal life is a gift, a promise, something conditional on Christ — not an inherent human possession. This supports the conditionalist anthropology.
H1961 — hayah¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/H1961-hayah.md
Occurrences: 4280
Primitive root verb. 3,122 unique verses (4,280 tokens) across 39 books. The fundamental verb of existence and becoming. Two stems: Qal (3,540 — be, become, happen), Niphal (21 — emphatic). Seven semantic categories: simple existence (Gen 1:2), coming into being/becoming (Gen 2:7), creative command (Gen 1:3), narrative marker, divine self-identification (Exo 3:14), covenant formula, prophetic future. Critical for Gen 2:7: wayehi (Qal.Wayq.3ms) = 'became' — man BECAME a living soul, not received one. LXX splits between ginomai (1,236x — dynamic/becoming) and eimi (1,820x — stative/being).
Semantic categories: existence, becoming, creative command, narrative marker, divine name, covenant, prophetic future
Key verses: Gen 1:3, Gen 2:7, Exo 3:14, Gen 3:22
Relevance: The wayehi (became) in Gen 2:7 is critical — it is a transformation verb. Man did not receive a soul; the combined dust + breath entity BECAME a living soul.
G1504 — eikon¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/G1504-eikon.md
Occurrences: 23
Feminine noun. NT equivalent of tselem H6754 via LXX bridge (10 co-occurrences, PMI 8.98). Used for image of God in man (1 Cor 11:7), image of the earthly/heavenly (1 Cor 15:49), image of the invisible God applied to Christ (Col 1:15), and literal images/coins (Mat 22:20). Man IS the image of God (1 Cor 11:7, present tense).
Semantic categories: image of God, image of Christ, earthly/heavenly image, literal image
Key verses: 1 Cor 11:7, 1 Cor 15:49, Col 1:15, Col 3:10
Relevance: NT continuation of the image of God concept. Man IS the image of God (present). Believers are being renewed after the image of the creator (Col 3:10).
H3824 — lebab¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/H3824-lebab.md
Occurrences: 267
Masculine noun. Fuller/emphatic form of leb H3820. 230 unique verses. Same meaning as leb — the inner directing center. Tends to appear in emphatic or covenantal contexts; Deuteronomy and Chronicles favor lebab for 'with all your heart.' LXX maps to kardia G2588 187 times (PMI 4.83).
Semantic categories: emotion, will/intention, intellect, moral condition, devotion
Key verses: Deu 6:5, Deu 30:6, 1 Chr 28:9
Relevance: Emphatic form of leb. Used in covenantal heart-language, especially Deuteronomy.
G3667 — homoioma¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/G3667-homoioma.md
Occurrences: 6
Neuter noun meaning likeness, similitude, resemblance. Used in Rom 1:23 (image made like to corruptible man), Rom 5:14 (similitude of Adam's transgression), Rom 6:5 (likeness of his death), Rom 8:3 (likeness of sinful flesh), Phil 2:7 (likeness of men), Rev 9:7 (shapes like horses). Related to homoiosis (Jas 3:9 — similitude of God).
Semantic categories: likeness/resemblance, representation, form/shape
Key verses: Rom 8:3, Phil 2:7, Rom 1:23
Relevance: Part of the image/likeness vocabulary. Rom 1:23 contrasts the incorruptible God with images made like corruptible man.
H2421 — chayah¶
Source: D:/bible/bible-studies/word-studies/H2421-chayah.md
Occurrences: 361
Verb (primitive root). To live, to revive, to preserve alive. Cognate of chay H2416. Used for living, being restored to life, keeping alive. The verbal form underlying the life vocabulary.
Semantic categories: to live, to revive, to preserve alive
Key verses: Gen 3:22, Ezek 37:5-6
Relevance: In Gen 3:22 — wachai le'olam ('and live forever') — the verb form in the tree of life passage. Living forever was conditional on access to the tree.