The Difference Between dâbâr and chay
Within the Hebrew of the Bible, dâbâr (דָּבָר, H1697) and chay (חַי, H2416) are related but distinct concepts. dâbâr is most often rendered "act", while chay emphasizes "age". Understanding the difference between these words illuminates the precise shade of meaning the original author intended.
Change Words
דָּבָר vs חַי
dâbâr and chay
דָּבָר
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
H1697
Exegetical Meaning
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause | Etymology: from H1696 (דָבַר); | KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
Origin
Root form
English Glosses
Canon Usage
Context Themes
- The Creative Word
- The Sustaining Word
- The Unstoppable Word
חַי
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively
H2416
Exegetical Meaning
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively | Etymology: from H2421 (חָיָה); | KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.
Origin
Root form
English Glosses
Canon Usage
No data
Context Themes
No clusters available