נֶ֫פֶשׁ
soul
also: self, life, creature, person fuller range ↓
Full lexicon entry — Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)
From Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)
Where this word appears
See every Construct-state word in the Hebrew Bible →
Grammar key — what these labels mean
Part of speech
- Noun
- A naming word — a person, place, thing, or idea.
Noun type
- Common
- A common noun — a general class of person, place, or thing (“king,” “city,” “water”), not a specific name.
State
- Construct
- A noun bound to a following noun in a possessive / “of” relationship (the construct chain).
- Absolute
- The independent form of a noun, not bound to a following word.
Gender
- Both
- Attested as both masculine and feminine.
Number
- Singular
- One.
- Plural
- More than one (in Hebrew, generally three or more).
137 verses where H5315 appears in the Construct state in the Book of Psalms. Filtered view — show all forms. Click any verse to open its interlinear word-by-word view. Verse text shown in the World English Bible for context — . Each verse’s Hebrew form is shown with its reference; the English is not keyword-highlighted, since the data carries no word-level English alignment. Use “Compare translations” on any verse to read it across multiple English versions. This concordance covers the Hebrew Bible; Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) occurrences are not indexed here.
Psalms
- Psalms 3:2 לְ/נַ֫פְשִׁ֥/י prep + n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Many there are who say of my soul, "There is no help for him in God." Selah.
- Psalms 6:3 וְ֭/נַפְשִׁ/י conj + n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul is also in great anguish. But you, Yahweh--how long?
- Psalms 6:4 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Return, Yahweh. Deliver my soul, And save me for your loving kindness' sake.
- Psalms 7:2 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Lest they tear apart my soul like a lion, Ripping it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
- Psalms 7:5 נַפְשִׁ֡/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; Yes, let him tread my life down to the earth, And lay my glory in the dust. Selah.
- Psalms 10:3 נַפְשׁ֑/וֹ n c bs cs + sfx pers 3ms For the wicked boasts of his heart's cravings, He blesses the greedy, and condemns Yahweh.
- Psalms 11:1 לְ/נַפְשִׁ֑/י prep + n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs In Yahweh, I take refuge. How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain!"
- Psalms 11:5 נַפְשֽׁ/וֹ n c bs cs + sfx pers 3ms Yahweh examines the righteous, But the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates.
- Psalms 13:2 בְּ/נַפְשִׁ֗/י prep + n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me?
- Psalms 16:10 נַפְשִׁ֣/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, Neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption.
- Psalms 17:13 נַ֝פְשִׁ֗/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Arise, Yahweh, Confront him, cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword;
- Psalms 22:20 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Deliver my soul from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog.
- Psalms 22:29 וְ֝/נַפְשׁ֗/וֹ conj + n c bs cs + sfx pers 3ms All the rich ones of the earth shall eat and worship. All those who go down to the dust shall bow before him, Even he who can't keep his soul alive.
- Psalms 23:3 נַפְשִׁ֥/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
- Psalms 24:4 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs He who has clean hands and a pure heart; Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, And has not sworn deceitfully.
- Psalms 25:1 נַפְשִׁ֥/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs To you, Yahweh, do I lift up my soul.
- Psalms 25:13 נַ֭פְשׁ/וֹ n c bs cs + sfx pers 3ms His soul shall dwell at ease. His seed shall inherit the land.
- Psalms 25:20 נַ֭פְשִׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Oh keep my soul, and deliver me. Let me not be disappointed, for I take refuge in you.
- Psalms 26:9 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Don't gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men;
- Psalms 27:12 בְּ/נֶ֣פֶשׁ prep + n c bs cs Don't deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, For false witnesses have risen up against me, Such as breathe out cruelty.
- Psalms 30:3 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Yahweh, you have brought up my soul from Sheol. You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
- Psalms 31:7 נַפְשִֽׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs I will be glad and rejoice in your loving kindness, For you have seen my affliction. You have known my soul in adversities.
- Psalms 31:9 נַפְשִׁ֥/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am in distress. My eye, my soul, and my body waste away with grief.
- Psalms 31:13 נַפְשִׁ֣/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs For I have heard the slander of many, terror on every side, While they conspire together against me, They plot to take away my life.
- Psalms 33:19 נַפְשָׁ֑/ם n c bs cs + sfx pers 3mp To deliver their soul from death, To keep them alive in famine.
- Psalms 33:20 נַ֭פְשֵׁ/נוּ n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cp Our soul has waited for Yahweh. He is our help and our shield.
- Psalms 34:2 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul shall boast in Yahweh. The humble shall hear of it, and be glad.
- Psalms 34:22 נֶ֣פֶשׁ n c bs cs Yahweh redeems the soul of his servants. None of those who take refuge in him shall be condemned.
- Psalms 35:3 לְ֝/נַפְשִׁ֗/י prep + n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me. Tell my soul, "I am your salvation."
- Psalms 35:4 נַ֫פְשִׁ֥/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Let those who seek after my soul be disappointed and brought to dishonor. Let those who plot my ruin be turned back and confounded.
- Psalms 35:7 לְ/נַפְשִֽׁ/י prep + n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs For without cause they have hidden their net in a pit for me. Without cause they have dug a pit for my soul.
- Psalms 35:9 וְ֭/נַפְשִׁ/י conj + n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul shall be joyful in Yahweh. It shall rejoice in his salvation.
- Psalms 35:12 לְ/נַפְשִֽׁ/י prep + n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs They reward me evil for good, To the bereaving of my soul.
- Psalms 35:13 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I afflicted my soul with fasting. My prayer returned into my own bosom.
- Psalms 35:17 נַ֭פְשִׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, My precious life from the lions.
- Psalms 35:25 נַפְשֵׁ֑/נוּ n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cp Don't let them say in their heart, "Aha! That's the way we want it!" Don't let them say, "We have swallowed him up!"
- Psalms 38:12 נַפְשִׁ֗/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs They also who seek after my life lay snares. Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things, And meditate deceits all day long.
- Psalms 40:14 נַפְשִׁ֗/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Let them be disappointed and confounded together who seek after my soul to destroy it. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt.
- Psalms 41:2 בְּ/נֶ֣פֶשׁ prep + n c bs cs Yahweh will preserve him, and keep him alive, He shall be blessed on the earth, And he will not surrender him to the will of his enemies.
- Psalms 41:4 נַ֝פְשִׁ֗/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs I said, "Yahweh, have mercy on me! Heal me, for I have sinned against you."
- Psalms 42:1 נַפְשִׁ֨/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants after you, God.
- Psalms 42:2 נַפְשִׁ֨/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
- Psalms 42:4 נַפְשִׁ֗/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs These things I remember, and pour out my soul within me, How I used to go with the crowd, and led them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping a holy day.
- Psalms 42:5 נַפְשִׁ/י֮ n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence.
- Psalms 42:6 נַפְשִׁ֪/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My God, my soul is in despair within me. Therefore I remember you from the land of the Jordan, The heights of Hermon, from the hill Mizar.
- Psalms 42:11 נַפְשִׁ/י֮ n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him, The saving help of my countenance, and my God.
- Psalms 43:5 נַפְשִׁ/י֮ n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him: My Savior, my helper, and my God.
- Psalms 44:25 נַפְשֵׁ֑/נוּ n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cp For our soul is bowed down to the dust. Our body cleaves to the earth.
- Psalms 49:8 נַפְשָׁ֗/ם n c bs cs + sfx pers 3mp For the redemption of their life is costly, No payment is ever enough,
- Psalms 49:15 נַ֭פְשִׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For he will receive me. Selah.
- Psalms 49:18 נַ֭פְשׁ/וֹ n c bs cs + sfx pers 3ms Though while he lived he blessed his soul-- And men praise you when you do well for yourself--
- Psalms 54:3 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs For strangers have risen up against me. Violent men have sought after my soul. They haven't set God before them. Selah.
- Psalms 54:4 נַפְשִֽׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Behold, God is my helper. The Lord is the one who sustains my soul.
- Psalms 55:18 נַ֭פְשִׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, Although there are many who oppose me.
- Psalms 56:6 נַפְשִֽׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs They conspire and lurk, Watching my steps, they are eager to take my life.
- Psalms 56:13 נַפְשִׁ֡/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs For you have delivered my soul from death, And prevented my feet from falling, That I may walk before God in the light of the living.
- Psalms 57:1 נַ֫פְשִׁ֥/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, For my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, Until disaster has passed.
- Psalms 57:4 נַפְשִׁ֤/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul is among lions. I lie among those who are set on fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.
- Psalms 57:6 נַ֫פְשִׁ֥/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs They have prepared a net for my steps. My soul is bowed down. They dig a pit before me. They fall into the midst of it themselves. Selah.
- Psalms 59:3 לְ/נַפְשִׁ֗/י prep + n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs For, behold, they lie in wait for my soul. The mighty gather themselves together against me, Not for my disobedience, nor for my sin, Yahweh.
- Psalms 62:1 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul rests in God alone. My salvation is from him.
- Psalms 62:5 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul, wait in silence for God alone, For my expectation is from him.
- Psalms 63:1 נַפְשִׁ֗/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you, My flesh longs for you, In a dry and weary land, where there is no water.
- Psalms 63:5 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest food. My mouth shall praise you with joyful lips,
- Psalms 63:8 נַפְשִׁ֣/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul stays close to you. Your right hand holds me up.
- Psalms 63:9 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs But those who seek my soul, to destroy it, Shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
- Psalms 66:9 נַ֭פְשֵׁ/נוּ n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cp Who preserves our life among the living, And doesn't allow our feet to be moved.
- Psalms 66:16 לְ/נַפְשִֽׁ/י prep + n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Come, and hear, all you who fear God. I will declare what he has done for my soul.
- Psalms 69:10 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs When I wept and I fasted, That was to my reproach.
- Psalms 69:18 נַפְשִׁ֣/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Draw near to my soul, and redeem it. Ransom me because of my enemies.
- Psalms 70:2 נַ֫פְשִׁ֥/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Let them be disappointed and confounded who seek my soul. Let those who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
- Psalms 71:10 נַ֝פְשִׁ֗/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs For my enemies talk about me. Those who watch for my soul conspire together,
- Psalms 71:13 נַ֫פְשִׁ֥/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Let my accusers be disappointed and consumed. Let them be covered with disgrace and scorn who want to harm me.
- Psalms 71:23 וְ֝/נַפְשִׁ֗/י conj + n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My lips shall shout for joy! My soul, which you have redeemed, sings praises to you!
- Psalms 72:13 וְ/נַפְשׁ֖וֹת conj + n c bp cs He will have pity on the poor and needy. He will save the souls of the needy.
- Psalms 72:14 נַפְשָׁ֑/ם n c bs cs + sfx pers 3mp He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence. Their blood will be precious in his sight.
- Psalms 74:19 נֶ֣פֶשׁ n c bs cs Don't deliver the soul of your dove to wild beasts. Don't forget the life of your poor forever.
- Psalms 77:2 נַפְשִֽׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. My hand was stretched out in the night, and didn't get tired. My soul refused to be comforted.
- Psalms 78:18 לְ/נַפְשָֽׁ/ם prep + n c bs cs + sfx pers 3mp They tempted God in their heart By asking food according to their desire.
- Psalms 78:50 נַפְשָׁ֑/ם n c bs cs + sfx pers 3mp He made a path for his anger. He didn't spare their soul from death, But gave their life over to the pestilence,
- Psalms 84:2 נַפְשִׁ/י֮ n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul longs, and even faints for the courts of Yahweh. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
- Psalms 86:2 נַפְשִׁ/י֮ n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Preserve my soul, for I am godly. You, my God, save your servant who trusts in you.
- Psalms 86:4 נֶ֣פֶשׁ נַפְשִׁ֥/י n c bs cs n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Bring joy to the soul of your servant, For to you, Lord, do I lift up my soul.
- Psalms 86:13 נַ֝פְשִׁ֗/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs For your loving kindness is great toward me. You have delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.
- Psalms 86:14 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs God, the proud have risen up against me. A company of violent men have sought after my soul, And they don't hold regard for you before them.
- Psalms 88:3 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs For my soul is full of troubles. My life draws near to Sheol.
- Psalms 88:14 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Yahweh, why do you reject my soul? Why do you hide your face from me?
- Psalms 89:48 נַפְשׁ֖/וֹ n c bs cs + sfx pers 3ms What man is he who shall live and not see death, Who shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah.
- Psalms 94:17 נַפְשִֽׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Unless Yahweh had been my help, My soul would have soon lived in silence.
- Psalms 94:19 נַפְשִֽׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Your comforts delight my soul.
- Psalms 94:21 נֶ֣פֶשׁ n c bs cs They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, And condemn the innocent blood.
- Psalms 97:10 נַפְשׁ֣וֹת n c bp cs You who love Yahweh, hate evil. He preserves the souls of his saints. He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.
- Psalms 103:1 נַ֭פְשִׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Praise Yahweh, my soul! All that is within me, praise his holy name!
- Psalms 103:2 נַ֭פְשִׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Praise Yahweh, my soul, And don't forget all his benefits;
- Psalms 103:22 נַ֝פְשִׁ֗/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Praise Yahweh, all you works of his, In all places of his dominion. Praise Yahweh, my soul.
- Psalms 104:1 נַפְשִׁ֗/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Bless Yahweh, my soul. Yahweh, my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty.
- Psalms 104:35 נַ֭פְשִׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Let sinners be consumed out of the earth. Let the wicked be no more. Bless Yahweh, my soul. Praise Yah!
- Psalms 105:18 נַפְשֽׁ/וֹ n c bs cs + sfx pers 3ms They bruised his feet with shackles. His neck was locked in irons,
- Psalms 105:22 בְּ/נַפְשׁ֑/וֹ prep + n c bs cs + sfx pers 3ms To discipline his princes at his pleasure, And to teach his elders wisdom.
- Psalms 106:15 בְּ/נַפְשָֽׁ/ם prep + n c bs cs + sfx pers 3mp He gave them their request, But sent leanness into their soul.
- Psalms 107:5 נַ֝פְשָׁ֗/ם n c bs cs + sfx pers 3mp Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them.
- Psalms 107:18 נַפְשָׁ֑/ם n c bs cs + sfx pers 3mp Their soul abhors all kinds of food. They draw near to the gates of death.
- Psalms 107:26 נַ֝פְשָׁ֗/ם n c bs cs + sfx pers 3mp They mount up to the sky; they go down again to the depths. Their soul melts away because of trouble.
- Psalms 109:20 נַפְשִֽׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs This is the reward of my adversaries from Yahweh, Of those who speak evil against my soul.
- Psalms 109:31 נַפְשֽׁ/וֹ n c bs cs + sfx pers 3ms For he will stand at the right hand of the needy, To save him from those who judge his soul.
- Psalms 116:4 נַפְשִֽׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Then called I on the name of Yahweh: "Yahweh, I beg you, deliver my soul."
- Psalms 116:7 נַ֭פְשִׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Return to your rest, my soul, For Yahweh has dealt bountifully with you.
- Psalms 116:8 נַפְשִׁ֗/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs For you have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling.
- Psalms 119:20 נַפְשִׁ֣/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.
- Psalms 119:25 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!
- Psalms 119:28 נַ֭פְשִׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul is weary with sorrow: Strengthen me according to your word.
- Psalms 119:81 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.
- Psalms 119:109 נַפְשִׁ֣/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul is continually in my hand, Yet I won't forget your law.
- Psalms 119:129 נַפְשִֽׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Your testimonies are wonderful, Therefore my soul keeps them.
- Psalms 119:167 נַ֭פְשִׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
- Psalms 119:175 נַ֭פְשִׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.
- Psalms 120:2 נַ֭פְשִׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Deliver my soul, Yahweh, from lying lips, From a deceitful tongue.
- Psalms 120:6 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul has had her dwelling too long With him who hates peace.
- Psalms 121:7 נַפְשֶֽׁ/ךָ n c bs cs + sfx pers 2ms Yahweh will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul.
- Psalms 123:4 נַ֫פְשֵׁ֥/נוּ n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cp Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scoffing of those who are at ease, With the contempt of the proud.
- Psalms 124:4 נַפְשֵֽׁ/נוּ n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cp Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, The stream would have gone over our soul;
- Psalms 124:5 נַפְשֵׁ֑/נוּ n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cp Then the proud waters would have gone over our soul.
- Psalms 124:7 נַפְשֵׁ֗/נוּ n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cp Our soul has escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare. The snare is broken, and we have escaped.
- Psalms 130:5 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs I wait for Yahweh. My soul waits. I hope in his word.
- Psalms 130:6 נַפְשִׁ֥/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs My soul longs for the Lord more than watchmen long for the morning; More than watchmen for the morning.
- Psalms 131:2 נַ֫פְשִׁ֥/י נַפְשִֽׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother, Like a weaned child is my soul within me.
- Psalms 138:3 בְ/נַפְשִׁ֣/י prep + n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.
- Psalms 139:14 וְ֝/נַפְשִׁ֗/י conj + n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs I will give thanks to you, For I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. My soul knows that very well.
- Psalms 141:8 נַפְשִֽׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs For my eyes are on you, Yahweh, the Lord. In you, I take refuge. Don't leave my soul destitute.
- Psalms 142:4 לְ/נַפְשִֽׁ/י prep + n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Look on my right, and see; For there is no one who is concerned for me. Refuge has fled from me. No one cares for my soul.
- Psalms 142:7 נַפְשִׁ/י֮ n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Bring my soul out of prison, That I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will surround me, For you will be good to me.
- Psalms 143:3 נַפְשִׁ֗/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs For the enemy pursues my soul. He has struck my life down to the ground. He has made me live in dark places, as those who have been long dead.
- Psalms 143:6 נַפְשִׁ֓/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs I spread forth my hands to you. My soul thirsts for you, like a parched land. Selah.
- Psalms 143:8 נַפְשִֽׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, For I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to you.
- Psalms 143:11 נַפְשִֽׁ/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Revive me, Yahweh, for your name's sake. In your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.
- Psalms 143:12 נַפְשִׁ֑/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs In your loving kindness, cut off my enemies, And destroy all those who afflict my soul, For I am your servant.
- Psalms 146:1 נַ֝פְשִׁ֗/י n c bs cs + sfx pers 1cs Praise Yah! Praise Yahweh, my soul.
About this entry
At a glance — auto-summarized from this page’s data, not written by a person. Every figure links to its source below. This summary describes the numbers; it doesn’t interpret them.
“soul” is the headline sense of the Hebrew noun נפש (nephesh). It also covers “self”, “life”, and “creature”, alongside “soul” — see its full sense range. With 683 verses in 31 books, it is one of the most common word in the Hebrew Bible. Debuting at Genesis 1:20, it then recurs through the corpus. Related forms include נפש and נפיש. See the sense tree, 683-verse concordance, and the renderings breakdown below.
Gloss history
Strong's 1890 vs modern scholarship
About this word
Strong's H5315 catalogs a Hebrew word from the Hebrew Old Testament.
These counts are not copied from any lexicon or concordance. They are computed here, from the morphology-tagged Hebrew Old Testament. What Lemma adds →
- 683
- distinct verses
- The word appears in 683 distinct verses.
- 31 / 39
- OT books
- The word appears in 31 of 39 Old Testament books.
- #65
- by frequency
- Top 100 most frequent Hebrew words (rank 65 of 8,640 Hebrew words by occurrence).
View all 683 occurrences in the concordance →
By section of the Old Testament
By traditional corpus
Conventional, traditional groupings — biblical authorship is debated, so this is a traditional corpus grouping, not an authorship claim. Each share is this word’s portion of its verses in that division of the Hebrew canon. Each figure is a share of the word’s 683 distinct verses.
- Writings (Ketuvim) 269 verses · 39%
- Prophets (Nevi'im) 237 verses · 35%
- Torah (Pentateuch) 177 verses · 26%
How translations render this word
Counts come from each version’s own published word-to-Strong’s tagging or interlinear alignment — an approximate guide to how each version renders this word, not a word-level alignment the data otherwise carries. Because each total is that version’s own tagged count, the per-version totals vary from one another and need not match the appearance or distinct-verse counts above. These counts may also differ from a printed concordance because Lemma counts each distinctly tagged rendering and does not collapse phrase taggings into a single head-word total. This is a fixed set of word-tagged versions (KJV, ASV, BSB, ULT) and does not change with the reading translation you choose elsewhere. Each version’s license is shown beside its name below (and on Sources).
- King James Version: Soul 314×, Life 73×, Souls 34×
- American Standard Version: Soul 279×, Life 71×, Souls 31×
- Berean Standard Bible: Soul 173×, Life 112×, Lives 31×
- unfoldingWord Literal Text: Soul 282×, Life 159×, Person 53×
King James Version Public Domain
Renders H5315 across 738 tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus other, less common renderings. Plus 115 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings. Not rendered by a distinct English word in 15 further occurrences.
American Standard Version Public Domain
Renders H5315 across 737 tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus other, less common renderings. Plus 161 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings.
Berean Standard Bible Public Domain
Renders H5315 across 666 tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus other, less common renderings. Plus 73 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings. Not rendered by a distinct English word in 85 further occurrences.
unfoldingWord Literal Text CC BY-SA 4.0
Renders H5315 across 751 tagged occurrences — most commonly:
Plus other, less common renderings. Plus 55 renderings that appear only once — usually multi-word phrases or single function words the recovered tagging swept in, not distinct renderings.
34 senses and sub-senses in the full BDB
What do BDB’s symbols mean?
BDB uses these scholarly abbreviations:
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 𝔊 | the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation, LXX) |
| 𝔙 | the Vulgate (the Latin translation) |
| 𝔖 | the Syriac version (the Peshitta) |
| 𝔗 | the Targum (the Aramaic translation) |
| ψ | the Psalms |
| √ | root (the underlying root or stem) |
| ‖ | parallel passage (a synonymous or contrasted parallel) |
| † | the dagger: every passage where the word occurs is cited |
The 34 senses and sub-senses the full Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon distinguishes for this word, in lexicon order (not ranked by frequency), with BDB’s own verbatim wording and sub-sense lettering. Shown in Hebrew script with BDB’s own scholarly abbreviations. The condensed entry is in the Lexicon Entry tab. See also the Forms in the corpus table below.
- 1. = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being = ψυχή, anima, the soul, the inner being of man:
- a. disting. from בָּשָׂר: מִנֶּפֶשׁ וְעַד בָּשָׂר Is 10:18; הַנֶּפֶשׁ עִם הַבָּשָׂר Dt 12:23; from שְׁאֵר Pr 11:17; from בֶּטֶן body ψ 31:10. e.g. Isaiah 10:18
- b. both the inner נפשׁ and the outer בשׂר are conceived as resting on a common substratum: אַךְ בְּשָׂרוֹ עָלָיו יִכְאָ֑ב וְנַפְשׁוֹ עָלָיו תֶּאֱבָֽל׃ Jb 14:22 only his flesh upon him is in pain, and his soul upon him mourneth; cf. ψ 42:5, 7; 131:2; Jb 30:16; La 3:20 [v. עַל 1 d], all poetical (cf. 6 c). e.g. Job 14:22
- c. נ׳ departs at death and returns with life: וַיְהִי בְּצֵאת נַפְשָׁהּ כִּי מֵתָה Gn 35:18 (E) and it came to pass when her soul was going forth (for she died); נָֽפְחָה נַפְשָׁהּ Je 15:9 she breathed out her soul, cf. 1 K 17:21, 22; Jb 11:20; 31:39. e.g. Genesis 35:18
- d. often desired that the נפשׁ may be delivered: from Sheʾôl ψ 16:10; 30:4; 49:16; 86:13; 89:49; Pr 23:14; from שַׁחַת, the pit of Sheʾôl, Is 38:17 Jb 33:18, 22, 28, 30. e.g. Psalms 16:10
- 2. The נפשׁ becomes a living being: by God’s breathing נשׁמת חיים into the nostrils of its בשׂר; of man Gn 2:7 (J); by implication of animals also Gn 2:19 (J); so ψ 104:29, 30 cf. 66:9 man is נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה, a living, breathing being Gn 2:7 (J); elsewhere נפשׁ חיּה always of animals Gn 1:20, 24, 30; 9:12, 15, 16 (all P), Ez 47:9; so נפשׁ החיּה Gn 1:21; 9:10 (both P), Lv 11:10, 46 (H); נפשׁ השׁרצת Lv 11:46 (H); נפשׁ כל חי Jb 12:10. נפשׁ is frequently used with the verb חיה: †וחיתה נפשׁ Gn 12:13; 19:20 (both J), 1 K 20:32 (E), ψ 119:175; Je 38:17, 20; †חֵי נַפְשְׁךָ 1 S 1:26; 17:55; 20:3; 25:26 2 S 11:11; 14:19; 2 K 2:2, 4, 6; 4:30 (all JE); cf. †יְחַיֶּה נ׳ 1 K 20:31 (E), Ez 18:27 ψ 22:30; also Gn 19:19 Is 55:3; Pr 3:22. e.g. Genesis 2:7
- 3. The נפשׁ (without חיה noun or verb) is specif.:
- a. a living being whose life resides in the blood [so in Arabic WeSkizzen iii. 217 G. Jacob Arab. Dicht. iv. 9 f.] (hence sacrificial use of blood, and its prohib. in other uses; first in D), Dt 12:23, 24 only be sure that thou eat not the blood, for the blood is the living being (הַדָּם הוּא הַנֶּפֶשׁ); and thou shalt not eat the living being with the flesh (הַנֶּפֶשׁ עִם הַבָּשָׂר); thou shalt pour it upon the earth as water; this enlarged in H, Lv 17:10, 11, 12, 14 and in P Gn 9:4, 5, cf. Je 2:34. e.g. Deuteronomy 12:23
- b. a serious attack upon the life is an attack upon this inner living being 2 S 1:9 Je 4:10; Jon 2:6 ψ 69:2; 124:4, 5; Jb 27:3. e.g. 2 Samuel 1:9
- c. נפשׁ is used for life itself 171 times, of animals Pr 12:10, and of man Gn 44:30 (J); נפשׁ תחת נפשׁ life for life Ex 21:23 (E), Lv 24:18 (H), 1 K 20:39, 42; 2 K 10:24; נפשׁנו תחתיכם Jos 2:14 (J); נפשׁ בנפשׁ Dt 19:21; בנפשׁ for the life of 2 S 14:7 Jon 1:14; שׂם נפשׁ בכף put life in one’s own hand Ju 12:3 1 S 19:5; 28:21 Jb 13:14; חרף נפשׁו למות Ju 5:18 risked his life to die; †בנפשׁ at the risk of life Nu 17:3 (P), 2 S 23:17 = 1 Ch 11:19(×2), 1 K 2:23 Pr 7:23; La 5:9; †בקּשׁ נפשׁ Ex 4:19 (J), 1 S 20:1; 22:23(×2) 23:15; 25:29 2 S 4:8; 16:11; 1 K 19:10, 14; Je 4:30; 11:21; 19:7, 9; 21:7; 22:25; 34:20, 21; 38:16; 44:30(×2) 46:26; 49:37 ψ 35:4; 38:13; 40:15; 54:5; 63:10; 70:3; 86:14; Pr 29:10; †שׁאל נ׳ 1 K 3:11 = 2 Ch 1:11, 1 K 19:4 = Jon 4:8; †הִכָּה נפשׁ smite mortally Gn 37:21 (J), Dt 19:6, 11; Je 40:14, 15; †לקח נ׳ 1 K 19:4; Jon 4:3 ψ 31:14; Pr 1:19; †הִצִּיל נֶפֶשׁ מִמָּוֶת deliver life from death Jos 2:13 ψ 33:19; 56:14; †מלּט נפשׁ 1 S 19:11 2 S 19:6(×4) 1 K 1:12(×2) Je 48:6; 51:6, 45; Ez 33:5; Am 2:14, 15 ψ 89:49; 116:4; †פדה נ׳ 2 S 4:9 1 K 1:29 ψ 34:23; 49:16; 55:19; 71:23; †שׁמר נ׳ ψ 25:20; 97:10; Jb 2:6 Pr 13:3; 16:17; 19:16; 22:5. e.g. Proverbs 12:10
- 4. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself:
- a. paraphrase for pers. pron. especially in poetry and ornate discourse, 70 times; (1) נַפְשִׁי = me: אל תבא נפשׁי Gn 49:6 let me not enter (poem in J); תָּמֹת נ׳ מות ישׁרים Nu 23:10 let me die, etc. (poem); תָּמוֹת נַפְשִׁי Ju 16:30 (J); אמרה נפשׁי La 3:24 I say. (2) נַפְשְׁךָ = thee: לְאֻמִּים תַּחַת נַפְשֶׁ֑ךָ Is 43:4 peoples instead of thee; אָֽמְרוּ לְנַפְשֵׁךְ 51:23. (3) נַפְשׁוֹ = he: נפשׁו בטוב תלין ψ 25:13 he will not dwell in good circumstances. (4) נַפְשֵׁנוּ = we: נַפְשֵׁנוּ כְּצִפּוֹר נִמְלְטָה מִפַּת יוֹקְשִׁים ψ 124:7. (5) נַפְשָׁם = they, them: נַפְשָׁם בַּשְּׁבִי הָלָ֑כָה Is 46:2 they are gone into captivity; אוי לנפשׁם Is 3:9. e.g. Genesis 49:6
- b. = reflexive, self, 53 times: אסר על נפשׁ bind oneself Nu 30:3, 5(×2), 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12; לְעַנֹּת נ׳ Nu 30:14 to afflict oneself. (1) נַפְשִׁי = myself: לא אדע נ׳ Jb 9:21; Ct 6:12 I know not myself. (2) נַפְשְׁךָ = thyself: שׁמר נ׳ Dt 4:9 keep thyself. (3) נַפְשׁוֹ = himself: אהב כנ׳ 1 S 18:1, 3; 20:17 loved as himself. (4) נַפְשָׁהּ = herself: צדּקה נ׳ Je 3:11 justified herself. (5) נַפְשָׁם = themselves: הציל נ׳ deliver themselves Is 47:14; Ez 14:14, 20. (6) נַפְשְׁכֶם, נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם = yourselves: אַל־תַּשִּׁאוּ נ׳ Je 37:9 deceive not yourselves, also 42:20; 44:7; ענּה נ׳ Lv 16:29, 31; 23:27, 32; Nu 29:7 (P); נשׁמרתם לנ׳ Dt 4:15; Jos 23:11 (D). (7) נַפְשׁוֹתֵינוּ = ourselves: על נ׳ Je 26:19 against ourselves. e.g. Numbers 30:3
- c. = person of man, individual, 144 times, first in D2; especially in H, P, and kindred writers: (1) c. אָדָם: נ׳ אדם Lv 24:17 opp. נ׳ בהמה 24:18 (both H), and so נ׳ אדם human persons Nu 31:35, 40, 46 (P) 1 Ch 5:21; Ez 27:13. Elsewhere without אדם: נ׳ ברכה Pr 11:25 one who blesses; נ׳ רְמִיָּה Pr 19:15 idle person; נ׳ תחת נ׳ person in place of person, Jb 16:4; כפּר על נ׳ Ex 30:15, 16; Nu 15:28; 31:50 (all P) Lv 17:11 (H). †(2) נפשׁ = person, any one: Dt 24:7; 27:25; Pr 28:17; Ez 18:4(×3) 33:6; elsewhere only H P: Lv 2:1; 4:2, 27; 5:1, 2, 4, 15, 17, 21; 7:18, 20, 21, 25, 27; 23:29, 30(×2); Nu 5:6, 15:27, 30; 19:22; 31:19, 28; 35:11, 15, 30(×2); Jos 20:3, 9 (all P), Lv 17:10, 12, 15; 20:6(×2) 22:6, 11 (all H); נכרתה הנ׳ הַהִוא מן that person shall be cut off from: only in Gn 17:14; Ex 12:15, 19; 31:14; Lv 7:20, 21, 27; Nu 9:13; 15:30, 31; 19:13, 20 (all P), Lv 19:8; 22:3 (both H). †(3) נפשׁ coll. for persons, in enumerations: Dt 10:22; Jos 10:28, 30, 32, 35, 37(×2), 39; 11:11 (all D2) Je 43:6; 52:29, 30(×2); Ez 22:25; elsewhere only Gn 12:5; 46:15, 18, 22, 25, 26(×2), 27(×2); Ex 1:5(×2); 12:16; Nu 31:35, 40 (all P). †(4) נְפָשׁוֹת persons Gn 36:6 Ex 12:4; 16:16 Nu 19:18 (all P), Lv 18:29; 20:25; 27:2 (all H), 2 K 12:5; Pr 11:30; 14:25; Ez 13:18(×3); 19(×2); 20(×2); 17:17; 18:4; 22:27 (נפשׁים 13:20 v. supr.). †(5) נפשׁ = deceased person, sometimes c. מֵת, נֶפֶשׁ מֵת Nu 6:6 (P), נַפְשֹׁת מֵת (𝔊 𝔖 נֶפֶשׁ) Lv 21:11 (H); usually without מֵת, נפשׁ (ה)אדם Nu 9:6, 7; 19:11, 13 (P); or simply נפשׁ, Lv 19:28; 21:1; 22:4 (all H) Nu 5:2; 6:11; 9:10 (all P); elsewhere only Hag 2:13. e.g. Leviticus 24:17
- 5. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 times)—
- a. hunger: נ׳ רְעֵבָה hungry soul ψ 107:9; Pr 27:7; with noun or verb of שׂבע satisfy Is 56:11; 58:10; Je 50:19; Ez 7:19 ψ 63:6; 107:9; Pr 13:25; 27:7; מתוק לנ׳ Pr 16:24 sweet to the taste. e.g. Psalms 107:9
- b. thirst: נ׳ עֲיֵפָה weary soul Pr 25:25; Je 31:25; נ׳ כארץ עיפה ψ 143:6; צמאה נ׳ ψ 42:3; 63:2. e.g. Proverbs 25:25
- c. appetite in general: אֹיְבַי בנ׳ יַקִּיפוּ עָלָיו ψ 17:9 my enemies compass me about with greed; הִרְחִיבָה שְׁאוֹל נַפְשָׁהּ וּפָֽעֲרָה פִיהָ Is 5:14 Sheʾôl enlarged her appetite, etc., cf. Hb 2:5; Pr 23:2 בַּעַל נֶפֶשׁ; Ec uses נפשׁ only in the sense of a, b, c; the נפשׁ craves, lacks, and is filled with good things: Ec 2:24; 4:8; 6:2, 3, 7, 9; 7:28. e.g. Psalms 17:9
- 6. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions (151 times)—
- a. desire: †אִוְּתָה נ׳ soul desires Dt 12:20; 14:26 1 S 2:16 2 S 3:21; 1 K 11:37; Jb 23:13 Pr 13:4; 21:10; Mi 7:1; תַּאֲוַת נ׳ ψ 10:3; Is 26:8; †אַוַּת נ׳ Dt 12:15, 20, 21; 18:6 1 S 23:20; Je 2:24; so also לנפשׁ according to one’s desire Dt 21:14 ψ 78:18; Je 34:16; כנפשׁ Dt 23:25; האח נפשׁנו ah, our desire ψ 35:25; בנפשׁ at one’s desire ψ 105:22; Ez 16:27; נ׳ יָֽצְאָה בְדַבְּרוֹ Ct 5:6; †נשׂא נ׳ lift up the soul, desire Dt 24:15 2 S 14:14 (read אליהם, not אלהים), ψ 24:4; 25:1; 86:4; 143:8; Pr 19:8; Je 22:27; 44:14; Ho 4:8. e.g. Deuteronomy 12:20
- b. abhorrence, loathing: געלה נ׳ soul abhorreth Lv 26:11, 15, 30, 43 (H) Je 14:19; וגם נ׳ בחלה בי Zc 11:8 and their soul also fell a loathing against me. e.g. Leviticus 26:11
- c. sorrow and distress: †מרי נ׳ bitter, gloomy, discontented of soul Ju 18:25 (E) 2 S 17:8; Jb 3:20; Pr 31:6; †מר נ׳ 1 S 22:2 cf. Jb 7:11; 10:1; Is 38:15; Ez 27:31; עָֽגְמָה נ׳ Jb 30:25 grieved; אגמי נ׳ sad of soul Is 19:10; תבכה נ׳ my soul shall weep Je 13:17; נ׳ ירעה his soul trembleth Is 15:4; צרת נ׳ distress of soul Gn 42:21 (E). e.g. Judges 18:25
- d. joy: נ׳ תגיל my soul rejoiceth ψ 35:9; Is 61:10; שׂמּח נ׳ rejoice the soul ψ 86:4; also ψ 94:19; 138:3; Pr 29:17. e.g. Psalms 35:9
- e. love: אהבה נ׳ my soul loveth Ct 1:7; 3:1, 2, 3, 4; יְדִדוּת נ׳ darling of my soul Je 12:7; דבקה נ׳ ב׳ his soul clave unto Gn 34:3 (J), c. אחרי ψ 63:9; חשׁקה נ׳ ב׳ soul is attached to Gn 34:8 (P). e.g. Song of Solomon 1:7
- f. alienation, hatred, revenge: †תֵּקַע נ׳ מן the soul is alienated from Je 6:8; Ez 23:17, 18; נקעה נ׳ מן Ez 23:18, 22, 28; שְׂנֻאי נ׳ hated of soul 2 S 5:8 (Qr); שׂנאה נ׳ ψ 11:5 Is 1:14. e.g. Jeremiah 6:8
- g. other emotions and feelings: השׁיב נ׳ bring back soul La 1:11, 19 (i.e. revive, cf. c. שׁוּב 1 K 17:21 f.), hence fig. refresh, cheer, v 16 ψ 19:8 Pr 25:13; Ru 4:15; שׁובב נ׳ ψ 23:3; מַחְמַל נ׳ your souls’ compassion Ez 24:21; קצרה נ׳ soul was impatient Nu 21:4 (E), Ju 10:16; 16:16; Zc 11:8; כי אאריך נ׳ that I should prolong my patience Jb 6:11; ידעתם את־נ׳ הגר ye know the feeling of the stranger Ex 23:9 (RD). e.g. Lamentations 1:11
- 7. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts + לבב (see 10); poss. also alone, owing to unconscious assimilation by late writers; but most, if not all, exx. may be otherwise explained: נפשׁי ידעת מאד ψ 139:14 my soul knoweth well (or I know well; cf. 4 a); בלא דעת נ׳ לא טוב Pr 19:2 that the soul be without knowledge is not good (but RVm desire without knowledge, cf. 6 a); דעה חכמה לנ׳ Pr 24:14 know wisdom for thy soul (or according to thy desire, cf. 6 a); אל תדמי בנ׳ Est 4:13 think not in thy soul (or in thyself, cf. 4 b); כמו שׁער בג׳ Pr 23:7 as he reckoneth in his soul (but RV in himself, cf. 4 b); מה תאמר נ׳ 1 S 20:4 (but AV RV foll. 𝔊 ἐπιθυμεῖ = תְּאַוֶּה; v. 6 a). e.g. Psalms 139:14
- 8. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.: אם ישׁ נפשׁכם (את) if it is your purpose Gn 23:8 (P) 2 K 9:15 (or if it is your desire, 6 a); בחרה נ׳ my soul chooseth Jb 7:15; מאנה נ׳ my soul refuseth Jb 6:7 ψ 77:3; נ׳ חפצה their soul delighteth in Is 66:3; נ׳ רצתה my soul delighteth in Is 42:1; (all perhaps emotional, 6 b, d, g). e.g. Genesis 23:8
- 9. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.: לֹא־יָֽשְׁרָה נ׳ בּוֹ Hb 2:4 his soul is not right in him (but 𝔊 οὐκ εὐδοκεῖ ἡ ψυχή μου ἐν αὐτῷ [εὐδοκεῖ = רצתה], v. 6); נַפְשִׁי לֹא מְטֻמָּאָה Ez 4:14 my soul hath not (or I have not, 4 a) been polluted. e.g. Habakkuk 2:4
- 10. נ׳ in D, when used with לבב, is assim. to it, and shares with it the meanings of 7, 8, 9; and so in later writers influenced by D (unless we may think that ל׳ is used of intellect, while נ׳ is used of the feelings): thus, בכל לבב ובכל נפשׁ (see לבב): c. דרשׁ Dt 4:29; 2 Ch 15:12; עשׂה Dt 26:16; אהב Dt 6:5; 13:4; 30:6; ידע Jos 23:14; עבד Dt 10:12; 11:13; Jos 22:5; שׁמע בקלו Dt 30:2; שׁוב אל Dt 30:10 1 K 8:48 = 2 Ch 6:38, 2 K 23:25; שׁמר מצות 2 K 23:3 = 2 Ch 34:31; הלך לפני 1 K 2:4; and Dt 11:18; 1 S 2:35 1 Ch 22:19; 28:9 Je 32:41 ψ 13:3 Pr 2:10; 24:12. e.g. Deuteronomy 4:29
- —In three cases is generally found closer approach to supposed radical meaning breath:—
- a. שׁמן וקטרת ישׂמח לב ומתק רעהו מעצת נפשׁ Pr 27:9. Ges (after Döderlein) renders מעצת נ׳ more than odorous trees, so later edds., even Buhl; but 𝔙 De SS transp. וּמֶתֶק נ׳ מֵעֲצַת רֵעֵהוּ. 𝔊 Hi Bi ומתקרעה = the soul is rent asunder by cares. In any case נפשׁ is ‖ לב, cf. 10. e.g. Proverbs 27:9
- b. נַפְשׁוֹ גֶּחָלִים תְּלַהֵט Jb 41:13 his breath kindleth coals (of the crocodile). The piece is one of the latest in the book; primitive meaning hardly in such a passage; context favours ref. to passion or fury; perhaps sub 6 f, his passion or fury kindleth coals. e.g. Job 41:13
- c. בָּתֵּי הַנֶּפֶשׁ Is 3:20 perfume boxes; meaning evident from context; but not necessarily scent (breath)-boxes; may be 6 a, boxes of desire, or 5, boxes exciting the sense of smell; = smelling boxes or bottles. No sufficient evid. in BH, therefore, for meaning breath, odour.—See, for complete study of נֶפֶשׁ (all passages), BrJBL 1897, 17 ff. e.g. Isaiah 3:20
Senses from the full Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon (Brown, Driver, Briggs; Oxford 1906 — public domain), digitized via Sefaria, supplemented by the OpenScriptures HebrewLexicon (CC BY 4.0). Full attribution on Sources.
Word origin
n.f. Gn 49:6 (so even Gn 2:19 Nu 31:28 1 K 19:2 v. Albr ZAW xvi (1896), 42 SS) soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion (Ecclus 3:18; 4:1(×2), 2(×2) 13:12; 14:11);—נ׳ Gn 1:20 +; נָ֑פֶשׁ Gn 37:21 +; sf. נַפְשִׁי Gn 12:13 +; pl. נְפָשׁוֹת Ez 13:18 + 13 times; נְפָשֹׁת Ex 12:4; Lv 27:2; cstr. נַפְשׁוֹת Gn 36:6 + 4 times; נַפְשֹׁת Lv 21:11; נְפָשִׁים Ez 13:20 (but read חָפְשִׁים, v Co Berthol Toy); sf. נַפְשׁוֹתָם 2 S 23:17 +; נַפְשֹׁתָם Nu 17:3 +: —
— Brown-Driver-Briggs (Oxford 1906, public domain), digitized via Sefaria, supplemented by the OpenScriptures HebrewLexicon (CC BY 4.0). See Sources.
Derived from נפש (nâphash) (H5314) — to refresh.
Jastrow Dictionary
A second Hebrew/Aramaic lexicon for comparison, covering Aramaic and post-biblical (Talmudic, Targumic, Midrashic) usage that the biblical-Hebrew BDB does not. Matched by lemma rather than by Strong’s number, so a lemma may carry more than one Jastrow headword (shown separately below), and the entries cover usage well beyond the Bible.
נָפֵשׁ
- (נָפַשׁ, b. h. Nif.) breathing, resting.—Pl. נְפֵשִׁים, נְפֵשִׁין, נְפֵי׳. Tanḥ. Vaëra 6 (expl. ישעו, Ex. V, 9) אל יהיו משתעשעין כלומר אל יהיו נ׳ (not ואל יהון) let them not play, that is, let them not rest (on the Sabbath); Ex. R. s. 5. e.g. Exodus 5:9
נְפֵשׁ
- , v. נְפֵישׁ
נֶפֶשׁ
- preced. wds.)
- 1. resting place, esp. a structure next to or over a tomb. Ohol. VII, 1 נ׳ אטומה a solid tomb-structure (to which there is no access). Shek. II, 5 מותר המת בונין לו נ׳ וכ׳ from what is left over of the appropriation for funeral expenses, we build a monument &c.; (Gen. R. s. 82 בַּיִת). Tosef. Erub. VI (V), 4, sq.; Erub. 55ᵇ (contrad. to קבר).—Pl. נְפָשׁוֹת. Ib. V, 1 נ׳ sepulchres (containing a place of shelter). Y. Shek. II, 47ᵃ top; Gen. R. l. c. אין עושין נ׳ וכ׳ no monuments need be put up for the righteous, v. זִכָּרוֹן. Tosef. Ohol. XVII, 4 חוקת נ׳ שבא"י וכ׳ the presumption in the case of sepulchres in Palestine is that they are levitically clean, except those marked.
- 2. soul, life; person; will, desire, disposition. B. Mets. IV, 6 שאינו אלא נ׳ רעה for it (the refusal of a coin on the ground of a slight abrasion) proves merely a malevolent soul (illiberality in dealing); ib. 52ᵇ, v. קְהֵי. Gen. R. s. 14 (names of the soul) נ׳ רוח וכ׳. Ib. נ׳ זו הדם nefesh means blood (life). Ib. (ref. to Gen. II, 7, a. VII, 22) כאן הוא עושה נשמה נ׳ וכ׳ here the text calls the soul (נשמה) nefesh, and there, ruaḥ (spirit); ib. s. 32.—Snh. IV, 5 נ׳ אחת one (person’s) life. Y. Taan. III, beg. 66ᵇ מכיון שנתנו ב"ד נַפְשָׁן וכ׳ as soon as the court has declared its will to do a thing. Nidd. 65ᵇ, a. fr. בעל נ׳ one who is master over his desire, a conscientious man.—Ber. 44ᵇ כל נ׳ משיב את הנ׳ all life (animal food) restores life; וכל קרוב לנ׳ וכ׳ and what is nearest life (the neck which contains the jugular vein) &c.—Y. Keth. V, 30ᵇ top דברים שהן קיום נ׳ things required for sustaining life. Yoma 74ᵇ אבידת נ׳, v. אֲבֵירָה; a. v. fr.—דחה נ׳, v. דָּחָה.—Sifra M’tsorʿa, Zab., Par. 3, ch. VI ואם נַפְשְׁךָ לומר וכ׳ (= ואיבעית אימא, v. בְּעֵי) or if you prefer (another argument); Ḥull. 78ᵇ bot. Ib. מה ואם נפשך לומר why should you prefer another argument?, i.e. what objection can there be to the argument offered before?—(מ)מה נפשך, v. מָה.—Ḥull. IV, 7 (77ᵃ) נ׳ היפה one not fastidious.—B. Bath. 89ᵃ נ׳ מאזנים the opening in which the tongue of scales rests (agina).—Pl. as ab. דיני נ׳, v. דִּין II. Snh. l. c. עדי נ׳ witnesses in capital cases.—Yoma VIII, 6 ספק נ׳ the possibility of danger to human life; Sabb. 129ᵃ; a. fr. e.g. Genesis 2:7
נְפַשׁ
- 1. monument. Pesik. B’shall., p. 79ᵇ ועבדון ליה נ׳ וכ׳ and they erected a monument to him (the dog that saved their lives), and to this day they call it נ׳ דכלבא the dog’s monument. Y. Erub. V, 22ᵇ bot. נ׳ דסיריקין, v. סְרִיקִין; a. e.
- 2. soul, will &c. (v. preced.). Targ. Gen. I, 20. Ib. XXIII, 8; a. fr.—Cant. R. to II, 16, v. נְסַב. Sabb. 129ᵃ בשר נ׳ חלף נ׳ meat (is a necessary of life), life for life, v. preced.—נח נַפְשֵׁיה, v. נוּחַ ch. Pes. 68ᵇ נַפְשָׁאִי, v. חֲדֵי. Ib. אדעתא דנפשיה with the intention of benefiting himself. Sot. 16ᵇ, a. e. לא תפיק נַפְשָׁךְ, v. נְפַק; a. v. fr.—Pl. נַפְשָׁן, נַפְשָׁתָא. Targ. Jud. XVIII, 25 (ed. Lag. sing.). Targ. Gen. XIV, 21; a. fr.—[Targ. Y. Lev. XXVI, 15 נַפְשָׁתֵיכוֹן (sing.).]—Y. Ab. Zar. III, 42ᶜ, v. סְכן II.
A Dictionary of the Targumim, the Talmud Babli and Yerushalmi, and the Midrashic Literature (Marcus Jastrow; London, Luzac, 1903) — Public Domain. Digitized via Sefaria. Digitized via Sefaria. Full attribution on Sources.
Forms in the corpus
The 228 distinct written forms H5315 takes in the Hebrew Bible, most frequent first — each parse links to that state’s occurrences in the concordance. Hebrew forms include their vowel points and cantillation, so a single lemma takes many written forms.
The 60 most common forms are shown; 168 rarer forms follow in the full concordance.
Same root — word family
Other BDB entries built from the same root as H5315, grouped by Strong’s listed origin. These share a root / origin per the lexicon — not necessarily a shared meaning. Each links to that word’s own entry.
Derives from
Proper names from this root
People and places named from this root — a name, not an additional meaning of the word.
Compare all same-root words → 1 of the same-root words is a proper name (a person or place). They share a root, not necessarily a meaning.
Septuagint verse parallels
This word appears in 615 verses that also exist in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint), out of the 683 Hebrew verses it occurs in. You can read those verses in Greek by switching the Old Testament edition to the Septuagint.
Read these verses in the Septuagint
- Genesis 1:20
- Exodus 1:5
- Leviticus 2:1
- Numbers 5:2
- Deuteronomy 4:9
- Joshua 2:13
- Judges 5:18
- Ruth 4:15
- 1 Samuel 1:10
- 2 Samuel 1:9
- 1 Kings 1:12
- 2 Kings 1:13
This is a verse-level parallel only — the same verses exist in both the Hebrew and Greek Old Testaments. No word-level Hebrew↔Greek correspondence is claimed: the data carries no such alignment, so no Greek word is shown as this Hebrew word’s translation. Coverage is not total — the Septuagint omits the deuterocanon and renumbers the Psalms, so some Hebrew verses have no direct Greek parallel.
