Definition
ψυχή, -ῆς, ἡ,
[in LXX very frequently for נֶפֶשׁ, sometimes for לֵבַב ,לֵב, etc. ;]
1. breath (Lat. anima), breath of life, life (Hom., al.; in Arist., of the vital principle): Matthew 6:25, Mark 3:4; 10:45, Luke 12:22, John 10:11, Acts 20:10, 24, 2 Corinthians 1:23, Philippians 2:30, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, al.
2. the soul,
(a) as the seat of the will, desires and affections: Matthew 26:38, Mark 12:30" (LXX) 14:34, Luke 1:46, John 10:24, Acts 14:2, Philippians 1:27, al.; ἐκ ψυχῆς, from the heart, heartily: Ephesians 6:6, Colossians 3:23;
(b) as 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.): Matthew 11:29, Mark 8:36, Acts 2:41, Romans 2:9, 1 Peter 3:20, al.; πᾶσα ψ., Acts 2:43; 3:23" (LXX), Romans 13:1; ψ. ζῶσα (ζωῆς), 1 Corinthians 15:45, Revelation 16:3;
(with) as the object of divine grace and eternal salvation: Hebrews 13:17, James 1:21; 5:20, 1 Peter 1:9, 22; 2:11; 4:19, 3Jo.2.
Synonyms: see: νοῦς, πνεῦμα, ψυχικός, and cf. ICC on 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Lft., Notes, 88f.
Hebrew words it translates
The Hebrew words that the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament renders as ψυχή:
- נֶ֫פֶשׁne.phesh“soul”95%
Usage patterns
Occurrences
102 total
- Matthew 2:20ψυχὴν · life“Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those seeking the Child’s life are now dead.”
- Matthew 6:25ψυχῇ · life; ψυχὴ · lifeTherefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
- Matthew 10:28ψυχὴν · soul; ψυχὴν · soulDo not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- Matthew 10:39ψυχὴν · life; ψυχὴν · lifeWhoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
- Matthew 11:29ψυχαῖς · soulsTake My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- Matthew 12:18ψυχή · soul“Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations.
- Matthew 16:25ψυχὴν · life; ψυχὴν · lifeFor whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
- Matthew 16:26ψυχὴν · soul; ψυχῆς · soulWhat will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
- Matthew 20:28ψυχὴν · life…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
- Matthew 22:37ψυχῇ · soulJesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
- Matthew 26:38ψυχή · soulThen He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”
- Mark 3:4ψυχὴν · lifeAnd He asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” But they were silent.
- Mark 8:35ψυχὴν · life; ψυχὴν · lifeFor whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.
- Mark 8:36ψυχὴν · soulWhat does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
- Mark 8:37ψυχῆς · soulOr what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
- Mark 10:45ψυχὴν · lifeFor even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
- Mark 12:30ψυχῆς · soulLove the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
- Mark 14:34ψυχή · soulThen He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.”
- Luke 1:46ψυχή · soulThen Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
- Luke 2:35ψυχὴν · soul…so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”
- Luke 6:9ψυχὴν · lifeThen Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
- Luke 9:24ψυχὴν · life; ψυχὴν · lifeFor whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
- Luke 10:27ψυχῇ · soulHe answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
- Luke 12:19ψυχῇ; Ψυχή · YouThen I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
- Luke 12:20ψυχήν · lifeBut God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’
- Luke 12:22ψυχῇ · your lifeThen Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.
- Luke 12:23ψυχὴ · lifeFor life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
- Luke 14:26ψυχὴν · life“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.
- Luke 17:33ψυχὴν · lifeWhoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.
- Luke 21:19ψυχὰς · soulsBy your patient endurance you will gain your souls.
- John 10:11ψυχὴν · lifeI am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
- John 10:15ψυχήν · life…just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep.
- John 10:17ψυχήν · lifeThe reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again.
- John 10:24ψυχὴνSo the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
- John 12:25ψυχὴν · life; ψυχὴν · lifeWhoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
- John 12:27ψυχή · soulNow My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour.
- John 13:37ψυχήν · life“Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”
- John 13:38ψυχήν · life“Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.
- John 15:13ψυχὴν · lifeGreater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
- Acts 2:27ψυχήν · soul…because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.
- Acts 2:41ψυχαὶThose who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.