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חָיֶה

𐤇𐤉𐤄

châyeh

H2422 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root חיה to live, be alive, preserve life, give life

Definition

An adjective meaning 'alive,' 'living,' or 'vigorous.' Used to describe a person or animal exhibiting life, vitality, or energy. In specific contexts, conveys the sense of active life, liveliness, or robust physical vigor.

Semantic Range

alive, living, full of life, vigorous, healthy, lively, characterized by animate vitality

Root / Etymology

From the root חיה, which has the core meaning of 'to live' or 'be alive.' The word חָיֶה is a descriptive form (adjective) signifying the state or quality of possessing life or vitality. The root itself (חיה) frequently appears as a verb meaning 'to live,' 'to be alive,' or 'to revive.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The adjective חָיֶה is relatively rare and appears primarily in poetic or descriptive passages, contrasting with the more common adjective חַי (alive, living). Its use often emphasizes not mere biological life, but energy, vigor, or lively activity. In some contexts, especially in later Hebrew, the nuance can shift towards 'healthy' or 'vigorous.' English translations may render it as 'lively,' 'vigorous,' or 'full of life,' but these do not always capture the nuance of robust, active living implied in Hebrew usage. The distinction between חיה ('to live'), חָיֶּה (adjective, 'lively/vigorous'), and חַי (adjective/noun, 'living/creature' or 'the living') is important for understanding subtle differences in biblical Hebrew. The term is not associated with later theological meanings of 'living,' such as 'eternal life.' Its usage is largely descriptive, prioritizing the state of active, energetic life present in persons or animals.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָיָה; vigorous; lively.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חיה (ḥ-y-h) — to live, be alive, preserve life, give life

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2416 חַי in the lives
H2417 חַי the living one
H2418 חֲיָא Live!
H2421 חָיָה I will cause to live
H2423 חֵיוָא living creature

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H2422-01 חָי֣וֹת chayot HAafpa they are vigorous living ones 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H2422-01 Exodus 1:19 חָי֣וֹת chayot HAafpa they are vigorous living ones
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