Greek noun (feminine) · G5590
ψυχή
psychepsoo-khay'
breath; the soul
103 uses in the Greek text, one for each word STEP Bible has tagged with this key
Concordance spelling: psychḗ
Word page · Part of the concordance, one page for every word of the Hebrew and Greek text. Strong's G5590is this word's number in James Strong's 1890 index of the King James Bible.
- 20 of 27New Testament books
- 13spellings
- 2meanings
The definition in full
Strong's key (1890) · G5590
breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from , which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from , which is mere vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the Hebrew , and )
The King James renders it: heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you.
James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), public domain. Strong indexed the King James text, and this site quotes his entry as that index.
Summary
psyche is rendered "breath; the soul". It stands 103 times in the Greek text, across twenty books.
- Sixteen of the uses stand in Matthew, more than in any other book.
- The lexicon lists two meanings for it, beginning with "breath".
- Its first use in canonical order opens the ledger below.Matthew 2:20“Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those seeking the Child’s life are now dead.”
- The Greek text spells it thirteen different ways.
The first use
“Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those seeking the Child’s life are now dead.”
Matthew 2:20ψυχὴν
The first use, in the order of the New Testament's books.
Where the word stands
The word stands in twenty of the 27 New Testament books.
What the word means
The word carries two meanings: breath, and the soul.
Each meaning, and the words it is translated by
| Meaning | Tagged as | Where |
|---|---|---|
| breath | Tagged as
and 4 more, 100 uses in all | WhereMatthew 6:25Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink… |
| the soul__(a) as the seat of the will, desires and affections | Tagged as
| WhereMatthew 26:38Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death… |
The words built on the same word-part
Each word below begins with the same letters this one begins with. A shared word-part shows a family. It does not settle what any one of them means, so each word carries its own uses on its own page. Scholars call that shared part the stem.
All 103, in canonical order
Every use, in order
Every use, grouped by book, with its verse.
13 spellings and their grammar
STEP Bible tags every word of the Hebrew and Greek text with its spelling and its grammar. Both lists below count the rows printed underneath, written out in English, with the code beside each one as it was tagged.
How it is spelled
- ψυχὴν34
- ψυχὰς13
- ψυχῆς11
- ψυχή8
- ψυχὴ8
- ψυχῇ8
- ψυχήν7
- ψυχῶν5
- ψυχαῖς3
- ψυχαὶ2
- ψυχάς2
- ψυχαί1
and 1 more spellings in the ledger below.
The grammar of each form
- noun · accusative (object) · feminine singular41N-ASF
- noun · accusative (object) · feminine plural15N-APF
- noun · nominative (subject) · feminine singular15N-NSF
- noun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singular12N-GSF
- noun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singular8N-DSF
- noun · genitive (“of”) · feminine plural5N-GPF
- noun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine plural3N-DPF
- noun · nominative (subject) · feminine plural3N-NPF
- noun · vocative (address) · feminine singular1N-VSF
Matthew
sixteen uses
“Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those seeking the Child’s life are now dead.”
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
- ψυχῇpsucheanoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: life
- ψυχὴpsuchenoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: life
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: soul
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- ψυχαῖςpsuchaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
“Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations.
- ψυχήpsuchenoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: soul
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: the soul
- ψυχῆςpsuchesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: soul
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
- ψυχῇpsucheanoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”
- ψυχήpsuchenoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Mark
eight uses
And He asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” But they were silent.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: Life
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel will save it.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
- ψυχῆςpsuchesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: soul
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
- ψυχῆςpsuchesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.”
- ψυχήpsuchenoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Luke
fourteen uses
Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
- ψυχήpsuchenoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: soul
so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: Life
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
- ψυχῇpsucheanoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’
- ψυχῇpsucheanoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: soul
- ψυχήpsuchenoun · vocative (address) · feminine singulartagged: Soul
But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’
- ψυχήνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.
- ψυχῇpsucheanoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: life
For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
- ψυχὴpsuchenoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: life
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.
- ψυχὰςpsuchasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
John
ten uses
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep.
- ψυχήνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
The reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again.
- ψυχήνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
So the Jews gathered around Him and demanded, “How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour.
- ψυχήpsuchenoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: soul
“Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”
- ψυχήνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
“Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.
- ψυχήνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
Acts
fifteen uses
because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.
- ψυχήνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.
- ψυχαὶpsuchainoun · nominative (subject) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
A sense of awe came over everyone, and the apostles performed many wonders and signs.
- ψυχῇpsucheanoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Everyone who does not listen to Him will be completely cut off from among his people.’
- ψυχὴpsuchenoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: soul
The multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned.
- ψυχὴpsuchenoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Then Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, seventy-five in all.
- ψυχαῖςpsuchaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
- ψυχὰςpsuchasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: minds
strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
- ψυχὰςpsuchasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said.
- ψυχὰςpsuchasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: minds
men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- ψυχὰςpsuchasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: lives
But Paul went down, threw himself on the young man, and embraced him. “Do not be alarmed!” he said. “He is still alive!”
- ψυχὴpsuchenoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: life
But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
“Men, I can see that our voyage will be filled with disaster and great loss, not only to ship and cargo, but to our own lives as well.”
- ψυχῶνpsuchonnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine pluraltagged: lives
But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because you will not experience any loss of life, but only of the ship.
- ψυχῆςpsuchesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of life
In all, there were 276 of us on board.
- ψυχαὶpsuchainoun · nominative (subject) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
Romans
four uses
There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek;
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: soul
“Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well”?
- ψυχήνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.
- ψυχὴpsuchenoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: soul
who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
- ψυχῆςpsuchesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: life
1 Corinthians
one use
So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being;” the last Adam a life-giving spirit.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: a soul
2 Corinthians
two uses
I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: soul
And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?
- ψυχῶνpsuchonnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
Ephesians
one use
And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
- ψυχῆςpsuchesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: heart
Philippians
two uses
Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,
- ψυχῇpsucheanoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: mind
because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me.
- ψυχῇpsucheanoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: life
Colossians
one use
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men,
- ψυχῆςpsuchesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: soul
1 Thessalonians
two uses
We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us.
- ψυχάςpsuchasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: lives
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- ψυχὴpsuchenoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Hebrews
six uses
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- ψυχῆςpsuchesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: of soul
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
- ψυχῆςpsuchesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: soul
But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
- ψυχήpsuchenoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: soul
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
- ψυχῆς.¶psuchesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
- ψυχαῖςpsuchaisnoun · dative (“to / for”) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
- ψυχῶνpsuchonnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
James
two uses
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.
- ψυχὰςpsuchasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: soul
1 Peter
six uses
now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
- ψυχῶνpsuchonnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine pluraltagged: of souls
Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.
- ψυχὰςpsuchasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.
- ψυχῆςpsuchesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: soul
For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
- ψυχῶνpsuchonnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water.
- ψυχαίpsuchainoun · nominative (subject) · feminine pluraltagged: souls —
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
- ψυχὰςpsuchasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
2 Peter
two uses
(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: in soul
Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed.
- ψυχὰςpsuchasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
1 John
two uses
By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
- ψυχὰςpsuchasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: lives
3 John
one use
Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.
- ψυχήpsuchenoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Jude
one use
to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh word spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.”
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Revelation
seven uses
And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld.
- ψυχὰςpsuchasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.
- ψυχάςpsuchasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: life
They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.
- ψυχὴνpsuchennoun · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: life
And the second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it turned to blood like that of the dead, and every living thing in the sea died.
- ψυχὴpsuchenoun · nominative (subject) · feminine singulartagged: soul
of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and chariots; of slaves and souls of men.
- ψυχὰςpsuchasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
And they will say: “The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you; all your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be seen again.”
- ψυχῆςpsuchesnoun · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: soul
Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image, and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
- ψυχὰςpsuchasnoun · accusative (object) · feminine pluraltagged: souls
Where it leads
How the numbers are counted
Every count on this page comes from STEP Bible's tagged Hebrew and Greek text, the same text the ledger prints. A use is counted once each time the tagging marks a word with this key.
Spellings are counted as the Greek text spells them, with the sentence's own punctuation taken off the word first, so a form that ends a clause is not counted as a second spelling.