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G5590 · Greek · New Testament
ψυχή
psychē
Noun, feminine
soul, life, self

Definition

From which we get "psychology" — 103 times. Like Hebrew nephesh (H5315), psychē covers life, the self, the inner person, and sometimes the soul as distinct from the body. The NT inherits both the Hebrew holistic sense and some Greek dualistic sense.

Usage & Theological Significance

Jesus: "What good is it to gain the whole world yet forfeit your psychē?" (Mark 8:36) — it means your life, self, eternal destiny. The NT uses it for: physical life, inner self, a person ("3,000 psychai" — Acts 2:41), and the self that survives death (Revelation 6:9).

Key Bible Verses

Mark 8:36 What good is it to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul [psychē]?
Matthew 10:28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul [psychē].
John 10:11 The good shepherd lays down his life [psychē] for the sheep.
1 Peter 2:11 Sinful desires wage war against your soul [psychē].
Hebrews 4:12 Penetrates even to dividing soul [psychē] and spirit.

Word Study

The psychē/pneuma distinction has generated centuries of debate. The biblical hope is not the immortality of the soul (Greek idea) but the resurrection of the body (Hebrew idea) — yet consciousness persists between death and resurrection (Philippians 1:23; Luke 23:43).

Related Words

External Resources

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