The term "expires" in the context of the Bible generally refers to the end of life or the cessation of breath, marking the moment of death. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of life and mortality, where life is seen as a breath given by God and its end as a return to Him.

Biblical Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of expiration is often linked with the breath of life. Genesis 2:7 states, "Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." This breath of life is what animates human beings, and its departure signifies death. Ecclesiastes 12:7 reflects on this return to God: "Then the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."

The Hebrew word often associated with expiration is "gava," which means to expire, perish, or breathe one's last. This term is used in various passages to describe the death of individuals, such as in Genesis 25:8 , where it is said of Abraham, "Abraham breathed his last and died at a ripe old age, an old man and full of years, and he was gathered to his people."

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, the expiration of life is not merely a biological event but a significant spiritual transition. The Bible teaches that life is a gift from God, and its end is under His sovereign control. Job 14:5 acknowledges this divine sovereignty: "Since his days are determined and the number of his months is with You, and You have set limits that he cannot exceed."

The expiration of life is also a moment of judgment and transition to the afterlife. Hebrews 9:27 states, "Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment." This underscores the belief in an afterlife where individuals face the consequences of their earthly lives.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, the concept of expiration is further enriched by the hope of resurrection and eternal life through Jesus Christ. John 11:25-26 records Jesus' words, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die." Here, physical expiration is not the end but a passage to eternal life for believers.

The Apostle Paul also speaks of the temporary nature of physical life and the hope of resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 : "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body."

Practical Implications

For Christians, the concept of expiration serves as a reminder of the brevity of life and the importance of living in accordance with God's will. Psalm 90:12 offers a prayerful reflection: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." This awareness encourages believers to live purposefully, with an eternal perspective, and to place their hope in the promises of God regarding life after death.1478. gava -- to expire, perish, die
... root Definition to expire, perish, die NASB Word Usage breathed his last (4), die
(5), died (2), expire (2), expires (1), perish (6), perished (4). ...
/hebrew/1478.htm - 6k

The Day Expires;
... III. The day expires; 4,4,6,7,4 Der Tag ist hin mein Geist und. [140]Freylinghausen.
1704. trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855. The day expires; My soul desires. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/iii the day expires.htm

To the Right Honourable the Earl of Lichfield.
... Thoughts, such as shall revisit your last hour; Visit uncall'd, and live when
life expires; And thy dark pencil, Midnight! darker still. ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/to the right honourable the.htm

Instances from Scripture of Divine Judgments Upon the Self ...
... Eli breaks his neck before the temple doors, [1111] his sons fall in battle, his
daughter-in-law expires in child-birth: [1112] for such was the blow which had ...
/.../chapter xvi instances from scripture of.htm

Introductory Note.
... He became a Christian about 185, and a presbyter about 190. The period of
his strict orthodoxy very nearly expires with the century. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/introductory note.htm

The Death of the Righteous
... [1] Believers at death shall gain a writ of ease from all sins and troubles; they
shall be in a state of impeccability: sin expires with their life. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the death of the.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. viii. 8, "I am not Worthy that ...
... For as the soul is the life of the body; so is God the life of the soul. As the
body expires when it loses the soul, so doth the soul expire when it loses God. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xii on the words.htm

The Consistories of More Note: Out of the Babylonian Talmud ...
... Glossers: "The sound of mills in Burni was a sign that there was a circumcision
there; as if it had been publicly proclaimed, The infant's week expires in this ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 96 the consistories of.htm

I Charge You, O Daughters of Jerusalem, that Ye Stir not Up, nor ...
... and thus to purify them. The second is the sleep of mystical death, where
she expires in the arms of love. [50] Neither is He willing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/4 i charge you o.htm

The Strait Gate. Warned against Herod.
... The time for entrance is limited, and he must get in before it expires; for when
the limited time has passed, he can not enter, no matter how earnestly he may ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxxix the strait gate warned.htm

The Crucifixion.
... CXXXIII. The Crucifixion. Subdivision C. Darkness Three Hours. After Four More
Sayings, Jesus Expires. Strange Events Attending His Death. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiii the crucifixion 3.htm

Expires (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Expires (1 Occurrence). Job 14:10 And a man dieth, and
becometh weak, And man expireth, and where 'is' he? (See NAS). ...
/e/expires.htm - 6k

Expire (14 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To give forth insensibly or gently, as a fluid or vapor; to emit in minute
particles; to exhale; as, the earth expires a damp vapor; plants expire odors ...
/e/expire.htm - 10k

Expired (29 Occurrences)

/e/expired.htm - 15k

Expireth (5 Occurrences)

/e/expireth.htm - 7k

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