Lexical Summary zaó: To live, to be alive Original Word: ζάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lifetime, alive, lively. A primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively) -- life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2198 záō – to live, experience God's gift of life. See 2222 (zōē). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom prim. roots zé- and zó- Definition to live NASB Translation alive (15), get their living (1), holding (1), life (6), life* (1), live (53), lived (3), lives (19), living (44). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2198: ζάωζάω, ζῶ, ζῇς, ζῇ, infinitive ζῆν (so L T, but R G WH (η(, Tr also (except 1 Corinthians 9:14; 2 Corinthians 1:8); cf. Winers Grammar, § 5, 4 c.; WH. Introductory § 410; Lipsius Gram. Unters., p. 5f), participle ζῶν; imperfect ἔζων (Romans 7:9, where Vat. has the inferior form ἔζην (found again Colossians 3:7 ἐζῆτε); cf. Fritzsche on Romans, ii., p. 38; (WHs Appendix, p. 169; Veitch, under the word)); future in the earlier form ζήσω (Romans 6:2 (not L marginal reading); Hebrews 12:9; L T Tr WH also in John (John 5:25); I. properly, 1. to live, be among the living, be alive (not lifeless, not dead): Acts 20:12; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 4:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17; Revelation 19:20, etc.; ψυχή ζῶσα, 1 Corinthians 15:45 and R Tr marginal reading Revelation 16:3; διά παντός τοῦ ζῆν, during all their life (on earth), Hebrews 2:15 (διατελεῖν πάντα τόν τοῦ ζῆν χρόνον, Diodorus 1, 74 (cf. Buttmann, 262 (225))); ἔτι ζῶν (participle imperfect (cf. Winer's Grammar, 341 (320))), while he was yet alive, before his death, Matthew 27:63; with ἐν σαρκί added, of the earthly life, Philippians 1:22; ὁ δέ νῦν ζῶ ἐν σαρκί, that life which I live in an earthly body, Galatians 2:20 (Buttmann, 149 (130); Winer's Grammar, 227 (213)); ἐν αὐτῷ ζῶμεν, in God is the cause why we live, Acts 17:28; ζῶσα τέθνηκε, 1 Timothy 5:6; ἐμοί τό ζῆν Χριστός, my life is devoted to Christ, Christ is the aim, the goal, of my life, Philippians 1:21; ζῶντες are opposed to νεκροί, Matthew 22:32; Mark 12:27; Luke 20:38; ζῶντες καί νεκροί, Acts 10:42; Romans 14:9; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5; in the sense of living and thriving, 2 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 3:8; ζῇ ἐν ἐμοί Χριστός, Christ is living and operative in me, i. e. the holy mind and energy of Christ pervades and moves me Galatians 2:20; ἐκ δυνάμεως Θεοῦ ζῆν εἰς τινα, through the power of God to live and be strong toward one (namely, in correcting and judging), 2 Corinthians 13:4; in the absolute sense, God is said to be ὁ ζῶν: Matthew 16:16; Matthew 26:63; John 6:57; John 6:69 Rec.; Acts 14:15; Romans 9:26; 2 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Timothy 6:17 R G; Hebrews 3:12; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:31; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 7:2 (Joshua 3:10; 2 Kings 19:4, 16; Isaiah 37:4, 17; Hosea 1:10; Daniel 6:20 Theod., 26, etc.); with the addition of εἰς τούς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, Revelation 4:9; Revelation 15:7; ζῶ ἐγώ (אָנִי חַי, Numbers 14:21; Isaiah 49:18, etc.) as I live (by my life), the formula by which God swears by himself, Romans 14:11. equivalent to to continue to live, to be kept alice (ὅστις ζῆν ἐπιθυμεῖ, πειράσθω νικαν, Xenophon, an. 3, 2, 26 (39)): ἐάν ὁ κύριος θελήσῃ καί ζήσωμεν (ζήσομεν L T Tr WH), James 4:15 (Buttmann, 210 (181); Winer's Grammar, 286 (268f)); ζῆν ἐπ' ἄρτῳ (Matthew 4:4, etc.) see ἐπί, B. 2 a. α. (Tobit 5:20); ζῆν ἐκ τίνος, to get a living from a thing, 1 Corinthians 9:14; also when used of convalescents, John 4:50f, 53; with ἐκ τῆς ἀρρωστίας added, 2 Kings 1:2; 2 Kings 8:8f, figuratively, to live and be strong: ἐν τούτοις (for Rec. ἐν αὐτοῖς) in these vices, opposed to the ethical death by which Christians are wholly severed from sin (see ἀποθνῄσκω, II. 2 b.), Colossians 3:7; cf. Meyer at the passage equivalent to to be no longer dead, to recover life, be restored to life: Matthew 9:18; Acts 9:41; so of Jesus risen from the dead, Mark 16:11; Luke 24:5, 23; Acts 1:3; Acts 25:19; Romans 6:10; 2 Corinthians 13:4; opposed to νεκρός, Revelation 1:18; Revelation 2:8; ἔζησεν came to life, lived again, Romans 14:9 G L T Tr WH (opposed to ἀπέθανε); Revelation 13:14; Revelation 20:4, 5 (Rec. ἀνέζησεν) (Ezekiel 37:9f; on the aorist as marking entrance upon a state see βασιλεύω, at the end); ζῆν ἐκ νεκρῶν, tropically, out of moral death to enter upon a new life, dedicated and acceptable to God, Romans 6:13; (similarly in Luke 15:32 T Tr WH). equivalent to not to be mortal, Hebrews 7:8 (where ἄνθρωποι ἀποθνῄσκοντες dying men i. e. whose lot it is to die, are opposed to ὁ ζῶν). 2. emphatically, and in the Messianic sense, to enjoy real life, i. e. to have true life and worthy of the name — active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God (or ζωή αἰώνιος; see ζωή, 2b.): Luke 10:28; John 5:25; John 11:25; Romans 1:17; Romans 8:13; Romans 14:9 ((?) see above); Galatians 3:12; Hebrews 12:9; with the addition of ἐκ πίστεως, Hebrews 10:38; of εἰς τόν αἰῶνα, John 6:51, 58; σύν Χριστῷ, in Christ's society, 1 Thessalonians 5:10; this life in its absolute fullness Christ enjoys, who owes it to God; hence, he says ζῶ διά τόν πατέρα, John 6:57; by the gift and power of Christ it is shared in by the faithful, who accordingly are said ζήσειν δἰ αὐτόν, John 6:57; δἰ αὐτοῦ, 1 John 4:9. with a dative denoting the respect, πνεύματι, 1 Peter 4:6; ὄνομα ἔχεις ὅτι ζῇς καί νεκρός εἰ, thou art said to have life (i. e. vigorous spiritual life bringing forth good fruit) and (yet) thou art dead (ethically), Revelation 3:1. In the O. T: ζῆν denotes to live most happily in the enjoyment of the theocratic blessings: Leviticus 18:5; Deuteronomy 4:1; Deuteronomy 8:1; Deuteronomy 30:16. 3. to live i. e. pass life, of the manner of living and acting; of morals or character: μετά ἀνδρός with the accusative of time, of a married woman, Luke 2:36; χωρίς νόμου, without recognition of the law, Romans 7:9; Φαρισαῖος, Acts 26:5; also ἐν κόσμῳ, Colossians 2:20; with ἐν and a dative indicating the act or state of the soul: ἐν πίστει, Galatians 2:20; ἐν τῇ ἁμαρτία, to devote life to sin, Romans 6:2; with adverbs expressing the manner: εὐσεβῶς, 2 Timothy 3:12; Titus 2:12; ἀσώτως, Luke 15:13; ἐθνικῶς, Galatians 2:14; ἀδίκως, Wis. 14:28; ζῆν τίνι (the dative of person, a phrase common in Greek authors also, in Latinviverealicui; cf. Fritzsche on Romans, vol. iii., p. 176ff), to devote, consecrate, life to one; so to live that life results in benefit to someone or to his cause: τῷ Θεῷ, Luke 20:38; Romans 6:10; Galatians 2:19 (4 Macc. 16:25); τῷ Χριστῷ, 2 Corinthians 5:15; that man is said ἑαυτῷ ζῆν who makes his own will his law, is his own master, Romans 14:7; 2 Corinthians 5:15; with the dative of the thing to which life is devoted: τῇ δικαιοσύνη, 1 Peter 2:24; πνεύματι, to be actuated by the Spirit, Galatians 5:25; κατά σάρκα, as the flesh dictates, Romans 8:12f. II. Metaphorically, of inanimate things; a. ὕδωρ ζῶν, חַיִּים מַיִם (Genesis 26:19; Leviticus 14:5; etc.), living water, i. e. bubbling up, gushing forth, flowing, with the suggested idea of refreshment and salubrity (opposed to the water of cisterns and pools (cf. our spring water)), is figuratively used of the spirit and truth of God as satisfying the needs and desires of the soul: John 4:10; John 7:38; ἐπί ζώσας πηγάς ὑδάτων, Revelation 7:17 Rec. b. having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul: ἐλπίς ζῶσα, 1 Peter 1:3; λόγος Θεοῦ, 1 Peter 1:23; Hebrews 4:12; λόγια namely, τοῦ Θεοῦ, Acts 7:38, cf. Deuteronomy 32:47; ὁδός ζῶσα, Hebrews 10:20 (this phrase describing that characteristic of divine grace, in granting the pardon of sin and fellowship with God, which likens it to a way leading to the heavenly sanctuary). In the same manner the predicate ὁ ζῶν is applied to those things to which persons are compared who possess real life (see I. 2 above), in the expressions λίθοι ζῶντες, 1 Peter 2:4; ἄρτος ὁ ζῶν (see ἄρτος, at the end), John 6:51; θυσία ζῶσα (tacitly opposed to slain victims), Romans 12:1. (Compare: ἀναζάω, συζάω.) Topical Lexicon Life as God’s Gift and RealityThe verb ζάω frames life as originating in God’s creative act and sustained moment by moment by His will. “For in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). The word therefore underscores creaturely dependence; human breath and heartbeat stand as daily testimonies to divine providence. Physical Life and Preservation In many occurrences the verb simply denotes continuing earthly existence. Jairus pleads that his daughter “may live” (Mark 5:23). Paul describes the time he “lived as a Pharisee” (Acts 26:5). Herod’s audience cries that Paul should “not be allowed to live” (Acts 22:22). Such texts remind disciples that mortal life, though fragile, is still precious in God’s economy; murder, persecution, and careless disregard for health are affronts to the Giver of life. Sustenance Beyond Bread Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4 echo Deuteronomy, declaring, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Here ζάω extends physical survival into spiritual dimension: Scripture is nourishment indispensable to authentic living. This shapes Christian disciplines of daily Bible intake and preaching ministries that treat Scripture as life-giving, not merely instructive. Spiritual Regeneration John’s Gospel employs ζάω for the new birth. Jesus promises the Samaritan woman “living water” that yields eternal life (John 4:10-14); He identifies Himself as the “living bread” (John 6:51) so that “whoever eats this bread will live forever.” The verb signals an ontological change whereby believers participate in God’s life. Paul captures the transition: “When we were dead in trespasses, God made us alive with Christ” (implied in Ephesians 2, using the cognate verb). Romans 6:11 commands saints to “consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus,” linking union with Christ’s death and resurrection to moral renewal. Life in the Son John 5:25 announces, “The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” Life is mediated exclusively through the Son’s word and work; apart from Him no true life exists (John 14:19, Galatians 2:20). Ministries therefore center on proclaiming Christ crucified and risen, confident that His voice effects spiritual life in hearers. Ethical Outworking: Living unto God Galatians 2:19-20 depicts the believer crucified with Christ so that “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.” The verb governs Christian ethics: holiness is not self-generated but the outflow of Christ’s indwelling life. Titus 2:12 instructs the church to “live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,” demonstrating that grace trains behavior. Pastoral counseling, therefore, emphasizes dependence on the Spirit rather than mere moral resolve. Corporate Worship of the Living God Several passages pair ζάω with the divine title “the living God” (Matthew 16:16; 1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 10:31). Worship gatherings acknowledge God’s present, active reality, contrasting Him with lifeless idols (Acts 14:15). Liturgies, songs, and prayers rightly stress God’s living nature, fostering reverence and joy. Resurrection and Eschatological Triumph ζάω announces resurrection both of Christ and of believers. Revelation 1:18 records the risen Jesus: “I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever.” Revelation 20:4-5 speaks of martyrs who “came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” John 11:25 promises, “Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.” These texts fuel Christian hope in bodily resurrection, shaping funerals, comforting the persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12), and encouraging perseverance (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). Christ’s Present Activity Because Jesus lives, He intercedes (Hebrews 7:25) and shepherds His church (Revelation 2:8). Pastoral ministry draws confidence from His ongoing advocacy and authority. The Great Commission rests on the living Lord’s assurance of continual presence. Judgment of the Living and the Dead Acts 10:42; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5 portray Christ as Judge “of the living and the dead.” ζάω thus frames accountability: all people, whether presently alive or resurrected, must answer to Him. Evangelism carries urgency, and social ethics derive gravity from this coming tribunal. Old Testament and Jewish Background The Septuagint frequently uses ζάω to translate חָיָה (chayah). Old Testament theology already links life with covenant faithfulness and divine blessing (Deuteronomy 30:19). New Testament writers build on this heritage, presenting Christ as the ultimate fulfiller and dispenser of covenant life. Doctrinal Concerns 1. Christology: The living status of Jesus validates His deity (Romans 14:9) and affirms the reliability of His promises. Pastoral and Missional Applications • Preach and teach Scripture as life-imparting. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 2198 saturates the New Testament with the theme that true life, in all its dimensions, flows from and points back to the living God revealed in Jesus Christ. The church’s proclamation, practice, and hope are therefore inseparable from the vibrant pulse of ζάω. Forms and Transliterations έζη εζησα έζησα ἔζησα εζησαν έζησαν ἔζησαν έζησας έζησάς έζησε έζησέ εζησεν έζησεν ἔζησεν εζητε εζήτε ἐζῆτε εζων έζων ἔζων ζέαν ζη ζῇ ζήθι ζην ζῇν ζῆν ζης ζῇς ζήσαι ζησασα ζήσασα ζήσατε ζησάτω ζησάτωσαν ζησει ζήσει ζήσεις ζησεσθε ζήσεσθε ζησεται ζήσεται ζησετε ζήσετε ζηση ζήση ζήσῃ ζήσης ζήσηται ζήσητε ζήσομαι ζησόμεθα ζησομεν ζήσομεν ζήσον ζήσόν ζήσονται ζησουσιν ζήσουσιν ζησω ζήσω ζησωμεν ζήσωμεν ζητε ζήτε ζῆτε ζήτω ζω ζῶ ζωμεν ζώμεν ζῶμεν ζων ζών ζῶν ζωντα ζώντα ζῶντα ζωντας ζώντας ζῶντας ζωντες ζώντες ζῶντες ζωντι ζώντι ζῶντι ζωντος ζώντος ζῶντος ζωντων ζώντων ζωσα ζώσα ζῶσα ζώσαι ζωσαν ζώσαν ζῶσαν ζώση ζώσης ζωσι ζώσι ζῶσι ζωσιν ζώσιν ζῶσιν ζωσών ezesa ezēsa ézesa ézēsa ezesan ezēsan ézesan ézēsan ezesen ezēsen ézesen ézēsen ezete ezête ezēte ezē̂te ezon ezōn ézon ézōn ze zē zêi zē̂i zêin zē̂in zêis zē̂is zen zēn zes zēs zesasa zēsasa zḗsasa zese zēsē zesei zēsei zḗsei zḗsēi zesesthe zēsesthe zḗsesthe zesetai zēsetai zḗsetai zesete zēsete zḗsete zeso zēsō zḗso zḗsō zesomen zēsomen zēsōmen zḗsomen zḗsōmen zesousin zēsousin zḗsousin zete zête zēte zē̂te zo zô zō zō̂ zomen zômen zōmen zō̂men zon zôn zōn zō̂n zonta zônta zōnta zō̂nta zontas zôntas zōntas zō̂ntas zontes zôntes zōntes zō̂ntes zonti zônti zōnti zō̂nti zonton zōntōn zṓnton zṓntōn zontos zôntos zōntos zō̂ntos zosa zôsa zōsa zō̂sa zosan zôsan zōsan zō̂san zosi zôsi zōsi zō̂si zosin zôsin zōsin zō̂sinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:4 V-FIM-3SGRK: ἄρτῳ μόνῳ ζήσεται ὁ ἄνθρωπος NAS: MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD KJV: shall not live by bread INT: bread alone will live the man Matthew 9:18 V-FIM-3S Matthew 16:16 V-PPA-GMS Matthew 22:32 V-PPA-GMP Matthew 26:63 V-PPA-GMS Matthew 27:63 V-PPA-NMS Mark 5:23 V-ASA-3S Mark 12:27 V-PPA-GMP Mark 16:11 V-PIA-3S Luke 2:36 V-APA-NFS Luke 4:4 V-FIM-3S Luke 10:28 V-FIA-2S Luke 15:13 V-PPA-NMS Luke 15:32 V-AIA-3S Luke 20:38 V-PPA-GMP Luke 20:38 V-PIA-3P Luke 24:5 V-PPA-AMS Luke 24:23 V-PNA John 4:10 V-PPA-ANS John 4:11 V-PPA-ANS John 4:50 V-PIA-3S John 4:51 V-PIA-3S John 4:53 V-PIA-3S John 5:25 V-FIA-3P John 6:51 V-PPA-NMS Strong's Greek 2198 |
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