חַיּוּת
life
Definition
חַיּוּת (chayûwth) refers to the state or condition of being alive, specifically the vitality and sustenance of life. It denotes the active, ongoing experience of life, often with a focus on its maintenance and provision. In its single biblical occurrence in 2 Samuel 20:3, it describes the 'living' or 'sustenance' provided to ten women by King David, implying care and support for their continued existence. While closely related to the common word for life (חַיִּים, chayyim), חַיּוּת emphasizes the concrete, practical aspects of being kept alive.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Samuel 20:3. It appears in a narrative context describing King David's provision for ten concubines he had left in Jerusalem, whom his son Absalom had violated. David provided for their 'living' (חַיּוּת), meaning he supported and sustained them, but they lived in seclusion for the rest of their lives. This singular usage highlights a context of royal provision and the maintenance of life under specific, guarded circumstances.
Etymology
Derived from the root חָיָה (chayah, H2421), meaning 'to live,' 'to be alive,' or 'to revive.' The noun form חַיּוּת is an abstract formation indicating the state or quality of life. It is related to the more common noun חַיִּים (chayyim, H2416), which is the general term for 'life.' The development from the root emphasizes the concept of vitality and the act of sustaining life.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, חַיּוּת connects to the broader biblical theme of life as a gift from God that requires sustenance and care. Its context in 2 Samuel 20:3 illustrates a king's responsibility to provide for and protect life, reflecting a human echo of God's own role as the sustainer of life (Psalm 36:9, 104:27-30). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting the concrete, practical dimension of 'living'—not merely existence, but supported and maintained life, which is foundational to concepts of providence and covenant care.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, a king's provision for members of his household, especially women in vulnerable social positions, was a matter of honor and royal duty. The 'living' provided likely included food, shelter, and protection, ensuring their survival but within the confines of social seclusion, which was a form of protection but also a restriction following their violation. This reflects cultural norms where women's honor and a king's responsibility were tightly interwoven with the practical sustenance of life.
חַיִּים (chayyim, H2416) — The primary, general term for 'life' in all its breadth, including physical life, lifetime, and manner of living. נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — Often translated 'soul' or 'life,' but emphasizes the living being, person, or inner self, including desires and emotions.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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