English · KJV
H2425

חָיַי

châyay /khaw-yah'-ee/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root (compare חָיָה)
Meaningto live; causatively to revive
KJV usagelive, save life.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of châyay — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word châyay, represented by H2425, is a primitive root primarily meaning to live or causatively to revive. It appears 23 times in 23 unique verses. The term signifies not just physical existence or the duration of one's days, but also the preservation of life, often in the context of divine command or intervention.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical narratives, H2425 is used to record the lifespans of the patriarchs, such as Adam Genesis 5:5, Arphaxad Genesis 11:12, and Abraham Genesis 25:7. A central theme connected to this word is conditional life based on obedience. The phrase "if a man do, he shall live in them" is repeated in reference to God's statutes H2708 and judgments H4941 (Leviticus 18:5, Ezekiel 20:11). Life is also presented as a direct result of heeding God's instruction, as when the Israelites who looked upon the bronze serpent lived Numbers 21:9. Conversely, the word is used in stark warnings, such as God's declaration that no man can see His face and live Exodus 33:20.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a fuller picture of the concept of life:

  • H2421 châyâh (to live, whether literally or figuratively): A closely related root, often used in parallel to describe how everything will live where the healing river flows Ezekiel 47:9 or to save life Jeremiah 38:2.
  • H2416 chay (alive; life): This noun form is used to describe living things, such as the "tree of life" Genesis 3:22 or every thing that liveth Ezekiel 47:9.
  • H4191 mûwth (to die): As the direct antonym, this word often appears in contrast to H2425, highlighting the consequence of sin or disobedience, where a person shall not live but die Ezekiel 18:13.
  • H4941 mishpâṭ (judgment): This word is frequently paired with God's statutes as a condition for life, emphasizing that to live is to follow God's divine law (Ezekiel 20:13, Ezekiel 20:21).

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H2425 is significant, connecting physical existence to spiritual realities.

  • Life through Obedience: A foundational principle is established that life is sustained by adherence to God's commandments. To keep His statutes and judgments is to live by them Leviticus 18:5. Turning from righteousness to sin negates this, leading to death Ezekiel 18:24.
  • Divine Prerogative over Life: The ability to grant or sustain life is ultimately with God. He prevents humanity from eating of the tree of life and living forever Genesis 3:22, and it is His presence that no sinful man can see and live Exodus 33:20.
  • Life as Salvation: The word is used to express deliverance from a death sentence. This is seen when those bitten by fiery serpents look at the bronze serpent and live Numbers 21:8 or when an unintentional slayer flees to a city of refuge and is allowed to live Deuteronomy 19:5.
  • Life as Restoration: In a prophetic sense, H2425 signifies renewal and healing. Where the river from God's temple flows, everything shall live, showing a power that restores and revives Ezekiel 47:9.

Summary

In summary, H2425 conveys a meaning deeper than mere biological function. It is a cornerstone of understanding the biblical relationship between God and humanity, where life is a gift granted and sustained through faith, obedience, and divine mercy. From the historical record of patriarchal lifespans to the prophetic promise of restoration, châyay illustrates that true, enduring life is inextricably linked to God's commands and His saving power.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 11 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • חָי
  • חַי
  • חָיָה

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H2708 חֻקָּה feminine of חֹק, and meaning substantially the same; {an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, lab H4941 מִשְׁפָּט from שָׁפַט; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decre H2421 חָיָה a primitive root (compare חָוָה, חָיָה); to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive; keep (leave H2416 חַי from חָיָה; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine sin H4191 מוּת a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (b

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 23 verses across 9 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Ezekiel (6 verses); never once in the other 30.

5
Genesis
2
Exodus
1
Leviticus
2
Numbers
4
Deuteronomy
1
1 Samuel
1
Nehemiah
1
Jeremiah
6
Ezekiel

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.