חָיַי

חָיַי

to live; causatively to revive

Definition

The verb חָיַי (châyay) fundamentally means 'to live' or 'to have life.' In its basic (Qal) stem, it describes the state of being alive, as seen in Genesis 5:5 where Adam's lifespan is recounted. In its causative (Hiphil) stem, the meaning shifts to 'to keep alive,' 'to preserve life,' or 'to revive.' This is powerfully illustrated in Numbers 21:8-9, where looking at the bronze serpent would 'keep alive' (or 'save the life of') those bitten by snakes. The word can also denote the concept of living in a covenant relationship with God, as in Leviticus 18:5, where obedience to God's statutes leads to life.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used 18 times in the Old Testament, appearing in narrative, legal, and theological contexts. Its basic sense of physical life is common in Genesis (e.g., Genesis 3:22). The causative sense of preserving or reviving life is prominent in Exodus (e.g., Exodus 1:16, where midwives are told to let male infants live) and in the Numbers 21 narrative of the bronze serpent. It is also used in Deuteronomy's laws on cities of refuge (Deuteronomy 4:42) and in theological statements linking life to God's law (Leviticus 18:5).

Etymology

חָיַי (châyay) is a primitive root verb, closely related to the more common verb חָיָה (chayah, H2421), which also means 'to live.' The relationship suggests a shared core concept of life, vitality, and sustained existence. The form חָיַי may represent a variant or a specific verbal pattern emphasizing the state or act of living.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it connects physical life directly to God as the source and sustainer. The causative sense highlights God's (or His agents') power to grant, preserve, or restore life, a key theme of salvation. In passages like Leviticus 18:5 and the symbol of the bronze serpent (Numbers 21:8-9, cf. John 3:14-15), it foreshadows the New Testament concept of eternal life through faith and obedience to God's provision. In ancient Israelite culture, 'life' was understood holistically, encompassing physical vitality, prosperity, and relationship with the community and God. The command to 'let live' in contexts like Exodus 1:16 was not merely about biological survival but about granting a person their full place and future within the covenant people. The act of reviving or preserving life was seen as a divine prerogative or a merciful intervention. חָיָה (chayah, H2421) — The more frequent primary verb for 'to live,' often used interchangeably. קוּם (qum, H6965) — To arise or stand up; can imply restoration but focuses more on the action than the state of being alive. שָׁבַת (shabat, H7673) — To cease, rest, or die; an antonym describing the end of life and activity.

Word Details