ψυχή
psuchē
soul
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ψυχή (psuchē) is a term used 49 times in the Bible, translated as "soul." Its primary definition encompasses the concept of life, vitality, and the essence of a living being. Beyond this fundamental meaning, the word spans various contexts, including the human experience, emotions, and the spiritual realm. The diverse usage of ψυχή across the Bible is noteworthy. It is often associated with physical life (e.g., Luke 12:22-23), but also carries connotations of the emotional and psychological aspects of human experience (e.g., Luke 21:19). This breadth of application highlights the complexity of human existence and the interconnectedness of physical and spiritual well-being. The significance of ψυχή lies in its role as a bridge between the tangible and intangible aspects of human life. Its employment in the Bible underscores the intricate relationship between physical and spiritual health, emphasizing the importance of holistic care and well-being. By exploring the meaning and usage of ψυχή, we gain insight into the nuanced nature of the human experience and the interconnectedness of all aspects of life.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
49 total occurrences across the text
Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
Matthew 10:28Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
Matthew 11:29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 12:18“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit on him. He will proclaim justice to the nations.
Matthew 16:26For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
Matthew 16:26For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
Matthew 22:37Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
Matthew 26:38Then he said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch with me.”
Mark 8:36For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?
Mark 8:37For what will a man give in exchange for his life?
Mark 12:30you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
Mark 12:33and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Luke 2:35Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Luke 10:27He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 12:19I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” ’
Luke 12:19I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” ’
Luke 12:20“But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’
Acts 2:27because you will not leave my soul in Hades, neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.
Acts 2:31he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that his soul wasn’t left in Hades, and his flesh didn’t see decay.
Acts 4:32The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
Acts 14:2But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers.
Acts 14:22strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom.
Acts 15:24Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment;
2 Corinthians 12:15I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?
1 Corinthians 15:45So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
2 Corinthians 1:23But I call God for a witness to my soul, that I didn’t come to Corinth to spare you.
Ephesians 6:6not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
Philippians 1:27Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;
Colossians 3:23And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,
1 Thessalonians 5:23May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 6:19This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil;
Hebrews 10:39But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul.
Hebrews 12:3For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls.
Hebrews 13:17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.
James 1:21Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
James 5:20let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 1:9receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:22Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently,
1 Peter 2:11Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
1 Peter 2:25For you were going astray like sheep; but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 4:19Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.
2 Peter 2:8(for that righteous man dwelling among them was tormented in his righteous soul from day to day with seeing and hearing lawless deeds):
2 Peter 2:14having eyes full of adultery, and who can’t cease from sin; enticing unsettled souls; having a heart trained in greed; children of cursing;
Jude 1:15to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
Revelation 6:9When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lamb which they had.
Revelation 8:9and one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed.
Revelation 18:14The fruits which your soul lusted after have been lost to you. All things that were dainty and sumptuous have perished from you, and you will find them no more at all.
Revelation 20:4I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.