Modern Summary of Abbott-Smith’s Lexicon (1922)
The word "ζωή" (zōē) primarily means "life" and refers to existence or the state of being alive, as opposed to death. It can describe natural life, such as physical or earthly existence, and is also used to refer to life after resurrection. Additionally, it is applied to the life associated with God's kingdom, encompassing both the current spiritual life of grace and the future eternal life of glory.
life; vitality, the state of being alive
In the King James Version, this word is translated as life(-time). Its core semantic range includes: life.
Derives from ζάω (zaō), meaning "to live (literally or figuratively)." This root connection shapes its semantic range.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
In the New Testament, zōē appears in passages such as 1 John 1:1. The variety of contexts in which zōē appears reveals that its meaning is not confined to a single usage but expands across different literary and theological settings.
zōē derives from ζάω (zaō, G2198), meaning "to live (literally or figuratively)." Its Hebrew parallel is חַי (chay), revealing shared conceptual ground across the biblical languages. Thematically connected words include φῶς (phōs), πνεῦμα (pneyma), ἀγάπη (agapē). Within its word family, zōē shares linguistic roots with 1 related term.
As part of the "from G2198 (ζάω);" word family, this term connects to a broader network of related concepts in biblical thought.
Compare with chay
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Lexical data derived from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. See full disclaimer
Word DNA
Word Family
from G2198 (ζάω);Key Connections
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How This Word Behaves
Selected distinct patterns of usage found in Scripture.
Scripture Occurrences
Selected verses where this word appears in the KJV.
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;"
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."
Connection Map
Nearest neighbors in the lexical network.
Compare This Word
Explore how zōē relates to similar or contrasting biblical words.
חַי
chay
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
רוּחַ
rûwach
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions)
φῶς
phōs
compare G5316 (φαίνω), G5346 (φημί)); luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
Spirit, Life & Light Cluster
Words that share the same theological orbit.
Continue Exploring
Follow the thread — discover connected words and concepts.
חַי
chay
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
φῶς
phōs
compare G5316 (φαίνω), G5346 (φημί)); luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
πνεῦμα
pneyma
a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, th
רוּחַ
rûwach
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions)
ἀγάπη
agapē
love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
αἰώνιος
aiōnios
perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well)
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