χήρα
chēra
widow
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word χήρα (chēra), Strong's number G5503, consistently translates to 'widow' across its 27 occurrences in the Bible. This term refers to a woman whose husband has passed away, leaving her without financial or familial support. The use of χήρα highlights the vulnerability and economic instability often associated with widowhood in ancient societies. χήρα appears in various contexts, from the lists of beneficiaries of Jewish laws and customs to narratives and teachings of Jesus. The significance of this term is evident in Jesus' interactions with widows, such as the story of the widow who placed her last two coins into the temple treasury (Mark 12:41-44), underscoring the importance of caring for those in need. The term serves as a focal point for discussions surrounding social justice and the role of communities in supporting vulnerable members.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
27 total occurrences across the text
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you don’t enter in yourselves, neither do you allow those who are entering in to enter.
Mark 12:40those who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
Mark 12:42A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin.
Mark 12:43He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury,
Luke 2:37and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day.
Luke 4:25But truly I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land.
Luke 4:26Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
Luke 7:12Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her.
Luke 18:3A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’
Luke 18:5yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’ ”
Luke 20:47who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these will receive greater condemnation.”
Luke 21:2He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins.
Luke 21:3He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them,
Acts 6:1Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.
Acts 9:39Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
Acts 9:41He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
1 Corinthians 7:8But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am.
1 Timothy 5:3Honor widows who are widows indeed.
1 Timothy 5:3Honor widows who are widows indeed.
1 Timothy 5:4But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety toward their own family and to repay their parents, for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
1 Timothy 5:5Now she who is a widow indeed and desolate, has her hope set on God, and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.
1 Timothy 5:9Let no one be enrolled as a widow under sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,
1 Timothy 5:11But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
1 Timothy 5:16If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened, that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.
1 Timothy 5:16If any man or woman who believes has widows, let them relieve them, and don’t let the assembly be burdened, that it might relieve those who are widows indeed.
James 1:27Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Revelation 18:7However much she glorified herself, and grew wanton, so much give her of torment and mourning. For she says in her heart, ‘I sit a queen, and am no widow, and will in no way see mourning.’