χρή (G5534) — Greek Lexicon — Scattered Israelites

χρή

chrḗ

G5534 verb

SILEX Entry

Root χρη- to be necessary, to be fitting, to be proper

Definition

χρή is an impersonal verb meaning 'it is necessary,' 'one ought,' or 'it is fitting,' typically indicating a moral, social, or practical necessity. It expresses the sense that something should or must be done, due to obligation, appropriateness, or external circumstance. While always impersonal, it conveys a strong sense of inevitability or duty, distinct from expressions of possibility or simple futurity.

Semantic Range

it is necessary, it is fitting, it must be, one ought, it should be, need for action due to propriety or moral/social convention

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root χρη-, possibly connected to χράομαι ('to use, to employ'), but in this sense, its ultimate origin is unclear. Used in earlier Greek as a distinct verbal form and carries semantic overlap with words of necessity. Etymology uncertain beyond the Greek usage.

Historical & Contextual Notes

χρή is primarily an impersonal verb in classical and later Greek, with earliest attestations found in pre-classical texts (e.g., Homer, Herodotus). It differs from δεῖ, which typically signifies obligation or necessity due to circumstances or fate. The difference can be nuanced, but χρή often implies a more moral, conventional, or appropriateness-based necessity, whereas δεῖ emphasizes logical or inherent necessity. In Koine Greek, χρή appears rarely and mostly in fixed expressions, as δεῖ and ὀφείλω become more common for expressing necessity. Standard English translations like 'it is necessary' or 'ought' convey some, but not all, subtleties of χρή, which in classical literature could be tinged with social, religious, or ethical implication. The form χρή only takes third-person singular, reflecting its impersonal function; the subject of the obligation is understood from context (often the infinitive verb or a dative pronoun). Distinct from χράομαι ('to use') and χράω ('to proclaim, consult an oracle'), though etymologically related.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

third person singular of the same as χράομαι or χράω used impersonally; it needs (must or should) be:--ought.

Root Family

χρή (chrē) — to be necessary, to be fitting, to be proper

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G5534-01`	χρή	chre	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	ought	it is necessary	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G5534-01`	James 3:10	χρή	chre	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	ought	it is necessary

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