(Aramaic) or חֲיָה; (Aramaic), corresponding to חָיָה; to live; live, keep alive.
Transliteration:chăyâʼ
Pronunciation:khah-yaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb chăyâʼ (H2418) serves as the direct Aramaic cognate to the more frequently occurring Hebrew verb chāyâ (H2421). At its core, it signifies "to live," "to be alive," or "to keep alive." This semantic range encompasses both the simple act of biological existence and the active preservation or restoration of life. It can denote the continuation of life, the act of sustaining life, or even the bringing back to life from a state of near death or actual death. The term carries the fundamental concept of vitality and the opposite of death or destruction, aligning perfectly with its Hebrew counterpart.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Aramaic chăyâʼ (H2418) is notably rare in the biblical text, appearing only once within the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament.
* **[[Daniel 5:19]]**: In this sole instance, the word is used in Belshazzar's recounting of his father Nebuchadnezzar's absolute power: "And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would he slew, and whom he would he kept alive (חֲיָא); and whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he put down." Here, chăyâʼ describes the king's arbitrary and ultimate authority over the lives of his subjects. Nebuchadnezzar possessed the power to decide who would live and who would die, illustrating a profound human sovereignty that Belshazzar, to his peril, failed to recognize as ultimately derived from and subject to the divine. This usage sets the stage for the narrative's theological climax, where God's true and absolute sovereignty over all earthly rulers is dramatically demonstrated.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is its Hebrew equivalent, chāyâ (H2421), from which the Aramaic form derives its full semantic weight. Other related concepts and words in the biblical lexicon include:
* **Life (noun):** chay (`{{H2416}}`) in Hebrew, often referring to living things or life itself.
* **Breath/Spirit:** neshamah (`{{H5397}}`) and ruach (`{{H7307}}`), which are intimately connected with the concept of life, as breath is often synonymous with existence.
* **Death:** muth (`{{H4191}}`), the direct antithesis, highlighting the contrast fundamental to understanding chăyâʼ.
* **Preservation/Deliverance:** Concepts related to keeping alive or rescuing from danger, often attributed to divine action (e.g., natsal `{{H5337}}` or yasha `{{H3467}}`).
* **Revival/Restoration:** The idea of bringing back to life or restoring to a state of health and vitality, whether physically or spiritually.
The theological concepts intertwined with chăyâʼ include sovereignty (both human and divine), sustenance, judgment, and the ultimate source of all life.
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence, the theological significance of chăyâʼ is profound, largely due to its direct correspondence with the widely used Hebrew chāyâ (H2421).
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Life:** While [[Daniel 5:19]] depicts human power over life and death, the broader context of Daniel underscores that all earthly authority, including the power to "keep alive," is ultimately granted and revocable by God. Belshazzar's failure to acknowledge this truth leads to his downfall. This reinforces the biblical truth that God is the ultimate Giver and Sustainer of all life (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 32:39]], [[1 Samuel 2:6]]). He is the one who truly "keeps alive" His creation and His people.
2. **Life as a Divine Gift:** The very existence of the word, even in its limited Aramaic form, points to the preciousness of life in the biblical worldview. Life is not an inherent right but a bestowed gift from the Creator. The ability to grant or withhold life, whether by human kings or ultimately by God, highlights the immense power associated with this concept.
3. **Spiritual Life and Revival:** By extension from chāyâ (H2421), which often carries spiritual connotations of renewal, restoration, and a vibrant relationship with God (e.g., [[Psalm 119:25]], [[Hosea 6:2]]), chăyâʼ implicitly connects to the broader biblical narrative of God breathing life into humanity, sustaining spiritual vitality, and offering spiritual revival to those who turn to Him.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb chăyâʼ (H2418) fundamentally means "to live" or "to keep alive," serving as the direct equivalent of the Hebrew chāyâ (H2421). Its sole biblical appearance in [[Daniel 5:19]] vividly illustrates the perceived absolute power of an earthly king to determine life and death. However, within the overarching theological message of the book of Daniel, this human claim to ultimate authority is shown to be fleeting and subordinate to the true and eternal sovereignty of God. Thus, while chăyâʼ in its specific usage highlights human power, its deeper connection to the concept of life throughout Scripture points reverently to God as the ultimate Source, Sustainer, and Giver of all life, both physical and spiritual.
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