Adjacent Words

Life definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

LIFE, n. plu lives. [See Live.]
1. In a general sense, that state of animals and plants, or of an organized being, in which its natural functions and motions are performed, or in which its organs are capable of performing their functions. A tree is not destitute of life in winter, when the functions of its organs are suspended; nor man during a swoon or syncope; nor strictly birds, quadrupeds or serpents during their torpitude in winter. They are not strictly dead, till the functions of their organs are incapable of being renewed.
2. In animals, animation; vitality; and in man, that state of being in which the soul and body are united.
He entreated me not to take his life.
3. In plants, the state in which they grow or are capable of growth, by means of the circulation of the sap. The life of an oak may be two, three, or four hundred years.
4. The present state of existence; the time from birth to death. The life of man seldom exceeds seventy years.
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1 Corinthians 15.
5. Manner of living; conduct; deportment, in regard to morals.
I will teach my family to lead good lives.
6. Condition; course of living, in regard to happiness and misery. We say, a man's life has been a series of prosperity, or misfortune.
7. Blood, the supposed vehicle of animation.
And the warm life came issuing through the wound.
8. Animals in general; animal being.
Full nature swarms with life.
9. System of animal nature.
Lives through all life.
10. Spirit; animation; briskness; vivacity; resolution.
They have no notion of life and fire in fancy and words.
11. The living form; real person or state; in opposition to a copy; as, a picture is taken from the life; a description from the life.
12. Exact resemblance; with to, before life.
His portrait is draw to the life.
13. General state of man, or of social manners; as the studies and arts that polish life.
14. Condition; rank in society; as high life and low life.
15.Common occurrences; course of things; human affairs.
But to know that which before us lies in daily life, is the prime wisdom.
16. A person; a living being; usually or always, a human being. How many lives were sacrificed during the revolution?
17. Narrative of a past life; history of the events of life; biographical narration. Johnson wrote the life of Milton, and the lives of other poets.
18. In Scripture, nourishment; support of life.
For the tree of the field is man's life. Deutoronomy 20.
19. The stomach or appetite.
His life abhorreth bread. Job 33.
20. The enjoyments or blessings of the present life.
Having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 1 Timothy 4.
21. Supreme felicity.
To be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8.
22. Eternal happiness in heaven. Romans 5.
23. Restoration to life. Romans 5.
24. The author and giver of supreme felicity.
I am the way, the truth, and the life. John 14.
25. A quickening, animating and strengthening principle, in a moral sense. John 6.
26. The state of being in force, or the term for which an instrument has legal operation; as the life of an execution.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a characteristic state or mode of living; "social life"; "city life"; "real life"
2: the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities; "he could no longer cope with the complexities of life" [syn: life, living]
3: the course of existence of an individual; the actions and events that occur in living; "he hoped for a new life in Australia"; "he wanted to live his own life without interference from others"
4: the condition of living or the state of being alive; "while there's life there's hope"; "life depends on many chemical and physical processes" [syn: animation, life, living, aliveness]
5: the period during which something is functional (as between birth and death); "the battery had a short life"; "he lived a long and happy life" [syn: life, lifetime, life-time, lifespan]
6: the period between birth and the present time; "I have known him all his life"
7: the period from the present until death; "he appointed himself emperor for life"
8: a living person; "his heroism saved a life"
9: animation and energy in action or expression; "it was a heavy play and the actors tried in vain to give life to it" [syn: liveliness, life, spirit, sprightliness]
10: living things collectively; "the oceans are teeming with life"
11: the organic phenomenon that distinguishes living organisms from nonliving ones; "there is no life on the moon"
12: an account of the series of events making up a person's life [syn: biography, life, life story, life history]
13: a motive for living; "pottery was his life"
14: a prison term lasting as long as the prisoner lives; "he got life for killing the guard" [syn: life sentence, life]

Merriam Webster's

I. noun (plural lives) Etymology: Middle English lif, from Old English l?f; akin to Old English libban to live — more at live Date: before 12th century 1. a. the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body b. a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings c. an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction 2. a. the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual b. one or more aspects of the process of living <sex life of the frog> 3. biography 1 4. spiritual existence transcending physical death 5. a. the period from birth to death b. a specific phase of earthly existence <adult life> c. the period from an event until death <a judge appointed for life> d. a sentence of imprisonment for the remainder of a convict's life 6. a way or manner of living 7. livelihood 8. a vital or living being; specifically person <many lives were lost in the disaster> 9. an animating and shaping force or principle 10. spirit, animation <saw no life in her dancing> 11. the form or pattern of something existing in reality <painted from life> 12. the period of duration, usefulness, or popularity of something <the expected life of the batteries> 13. the period of existence (as of a subatomic particle) — compare half-life 14. a property (as resilience or elasticity) of an inanimate substance or object resembling the animate quality of a living being 15. living beings (as of a particular kind or environment) <forest life> 16. a. human activities b. animate activity and movement <stirrings of life> c. the activities of a given sphere, area, or time <the political life of the country> 17. one providing interest and vigor <life of the party> 18. an opportunity for continued viability <gave the patient a new life> 19. capitalized, Christian Science god 1b 20. something resembling animate life <a grant saved the project's life> II. adjective Date: 13th century 1. of or relating to animate being 2. lifelong <a life member> 3. using a living model <a life class> 4. of, relating to, or provided by life insurance <a life policy>

Britannica Concise

State characterized by the ability to metabolize nutrients (process materials for energy and tissue building), grow, reproduce, and respond and adapt to environmental stimuli. Fossil evidence suggests that earth's first living organisms, bacteria and cyanobacteria, arose about 3.5 billion years ago. All known life-forms possess either DNA or RNA. Viruses, which possess DNA and RNA, cannot reproduce without a host cell and do not metabolize nutrients, and it is uncertain whether they should be classified as living or nonliving. Scientists disagree on the likelihood of extraterrestrial life. See also Drake equation. Weekly picture magazine (1936-72) published in New York City. One of the most popular and widely imitated of U.S. magazines, it was founded by H. Luce and quickly became a cornerstone of Time-Life Publications. From the start it emphasized photography, with gripping, superbly chosen news photographs, photo features, and photo essays by the best photographers; gradually more writing was added. Its war coverage was notably vivid, authentic, and moving. It ceased publication largely because its costs outstripped revenues. It reappeared in special issues and then, in 1978, on a reduced scale as a monthly. State characterized by the ability to metabolize nutrients (process materials for energy and tissue building), grow, reproduce, and respond and adapt to environmental stimuli. Fossil evidence suggests that earth's first living organisms, bacteria and cyanobacteria, arose about 3.5 billion years ago. All known life-forms possess either DNA or RNA. Viruses, which possess DNA and RNA, cannot reproduce without a host cell and do not metabolize nutrients, and it is uncertain whether they should be classified as living or nonliving. Scientists disagree on the likelihood of extraterrestrial life. See also Drake equation. Weekly picture magazine (1936-72) published in New York City. One of the most popular and widely imitated of U.S. magazines, it was founded by H. Luce and quickly became a cornerstone of Time-Life Publications. From the start it emphasized photography, with gripping, superbly chosen news photographs, photo features, and photo essays by the best photographers; gradually more writing was added. Its war coverage was notably vivid, authentic, and moving. It ceased publication largely because its costs outstripped revenues. It reappeared in special issues and then, in 1978, on a reduced scale as a monthly.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. (pl. lives) 1 the condition which distinguishes active animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, functional activity, and continual change preceding death. 2 a living things and their activity (insect life; is there life on Mars?). b human presence or activity (no sign of life). 3 a the period during which life lasts, or the period from birth to the present time or from the present time to death (have done it all my life; will regret it all my life; life membership). b the duration of a thing's existence or of its ability to function; validity, efficacy, etc. (the battery has a life of two years). 4 a a person's state of existence as a living individual (sacrificed their lives; took many lives). b a living person (many lives were lost). 5 a an individual's occupation, actions, or fortunes; the manner of one's existence (that would make life easy; start a new life). b a particular aspect of this (love-life; private life). 6 the active part of existence; the business and pleasures of the world (travel is the best way to see life). 7 man's earthly or supposed future existence. 8 a energy, liveliness, animation (full of life; put some life into it!). b an animating influence (was the life of the party). 9 the living, esp. nude, form or model (taken from the life). 10 a written account of a person's life; a biography. 11 colloq. a sentence of imprisonment for life (they were all serving life). 12 a chance; a fresh start (cats have nine lives; gave the player three lives). Phrases and idioms: come to life 1 emerge from unconsciousness or inactivity; begin operating. 2 (of an inanimate object) assume an imaginary animation. for dear (or one's) life as if or in order to escape death; as a matter of extreme urgency (hanging on for dear life; run for your life). for life for the rest of one's life. for the life of (foll. by pers. pron.) even if (one's) life depended on it (cannot for the life of me remember). give one's life 1 (foll. by for) die; sacrifice oneself. 2 (foll. by to) dedicate oneself. large as life colloq. in person, esp. prominently (stood there large as life). larger than life 1 exaggerated. 2 (of a person) having an exuberant personality. life-and-death vitally important; desperate (a life-and-death struggle). life cycle the series of changes in the life of an organism including reproduction. life expectancy the average period that a person at a specified age may expect to live. life-force inspiration or a driving force or influence. life-form an organism. life-giving that sustains life or uplifts and revitalizes. Life Guards (in the UK) a regiment of the royal household cavalry. life history the story of a person's life, esp. told at tedious length. life insurance insurance for a sum to be paid on the death of the insured person. life-jacket a buoyant or inflatable jacket for keeping a person afloat in water. life peer Brit. a peer whose title lapses on death. life-preserver 1 a short stick with a heavily loaded end. 2 a life-jacket etc. life-raft an inflatable or timber etc. raft for use in an emergency instead of a boat. life-saver colloq. 1 a thing that saves one from serious difficulty. 2 Austral. & NZ = LIFEGUARD. life sciences biology and related subjects. life sentence 1 a sentence of imprisonment for life. 2 an illness or commitment etc. perceived as a continuing threat to one's freedom. life-size (or -sized) of the same size as the person or thing represented. life-support adj. (of equipment) allowing vital functions to continue in an adverse environment or during severe disablement. life-support machine Med. a ventilator or respirator. life's-work a task etc. pursued throughout one's lifetime. lose one's life be killed. a matter of life and death a matter of vital importance. not on your life colloq. most certainly not. save a person's life 1 prevent a person's death. 2 save a person from serious difficulty. take one's life in one's hands take a crucial personal risk. to the life true to the original. Etymology: OE lif f. Gmc

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Life Life (l[imac]f), n.; pl. Lives (l[imac]vz). [AS. l[imac]f; akin to D. lijf body, G. leib body, MHG. l[imac]p life, body, OHG. l[imac]b life, Icel. l[imac]f, life, body, Sw. lif, Dan. liv, and E. live, v. [root]119. See Live, and cf. Alive.] 1. The state of being which begins with generation, birth, or germination, and ends with death; also, the time during which this state continues; that state of an animal or plant in which all or any of its organs are capable of performing all or any of their functions; -- used of all animal and vegetable organisms. 2. Of human beings: The union of the soul and body; also, the duration of their union; sometimes, the deathless quality or existence of the soul; as, man is a creature having an immortal life. She shows a body rather than a life. --Shak. 3. (Philos) The potential principle, or force, by which the organs of animals and plants are started and continued in the performance of their several and co["o]perative functions; the vital force, whether regarded as physical or spiritual. 4. Figuratively: The potential or animating principle, also, the period of duration, of anything that is conceived of as resembling a natural organism in structure or functions; as, the life of a state, a machine, or a book; authority is the life of government. 5. A certain way or manner of living with respect to conditions, circumstances, character, conduct, occupation, etc.; hence, human affairs; also, lives, considered collectively, as a distinct class or type; as, low life; a good or evil life; the life of Indians, or of miners. That which before us lies in daily life. --Milton. By experience of life abroad in the world. --Ascham. Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime. --Longfellow. 'T is from high life high characters are drawn. --Pope 6. Animation; spirit; vivacity; vigor; energy. No notion of life and fire in fancy and in words. --Felton. That gives thy gestures grace and life. --Wordsworth. 7. That which imparts or excites spirit or vigor; that upon which enjoyment or success depends; as, he was the life of the company, or of the enterprise. 8. The living or actual form, person, thing, or state; as, a picture or a description from the life. 9. A person; a living being, usually a human being; as, many lives were sacrificed. 10. The system of animal nature; animals in general, or considered collectively. Full nature swarms with life. --Thomson. 11. An essential constituent of life, esp. the blood. The words that I speak unto you . . . they are life. --John vi. 63. The warm life came issuing through the wound. --Pope 12. A history of the acts and events of a life; a biography; as, Johnson wrote the life of Milton. 13. Enjoyment in the right use of the powers; especially, a spiritual existence; happiness in the favor of God; heavenly felicity. 14. Something dear to one as one's existence; a darling; -- used as a term of endearment. Note: Life forms the first part of many compounds, for the most part of obvious meaning; as, life-giving, life-sustaining, etc. Life annuity, an annuity payable during one's life. Life arrow, Life rocket, Life shot, an arrow, rocket, or shot, for carrying an attached line to a vessel in distress in order to save life. Life assurance. See Life insurance, below.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(lives) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. Life is the quality which people, animals, and plants have when they are not dead, and which objects and substances do not have. ...a baby's first minutes of life... Amnesty International opposes the death penalty as a violation of the right to life. ...the earth's supply of life-giving oxygen. N-UNCOUNT 2. You can use life to refer to things or groups of things which are alive. Is there life on Mars?... The book includes some useful facts about animal and plant life. N-UNCOUNT: with supp 3. If you refer to someone's life, you mean their state of being alive, especially when there is a risk or danger of them dying. Your life is in danger... A nurse began to try to save his life... The intense fighting is reported to have claimed many lives. N-COUNT: usu poss N 4. Someone's life is the period of time during which they are alive. He spent the last fourteen years of his life in retirement... For the first time in his life he regretted that he had no faith. N-COUNT: poss N 5. You can use life to refer to a period of someone's life when they are in a particular situation or job. Interior designers spend their working lives keeping up to date with the latest trends... That was the beginning of my life in the television business. N-COUNT: with supp, usu poss N 6. You can use life to refer to particular activities which people regularly do during their lives. My personal life has had to take second place to my career... Most diabetics have a normal sex life. N-COUNT: supp N 7. You can use life to refer to the events and experiences that happen to people while they are alive. Life won't be dull!... It's the people with insecurities who make life difficult. 8. If you know a lot about life, you have gained many varied experiences, for example by travelling a lot and meeting different kinds of people. I was 19 and too young to know much about life... I needed some time off from education to experience life. N-UNCOUNT 9. You can use life to refer to the things that people do and experience that are characteristic of a particular place, group, or activity. How did you adjust to college life? ...the culture and life of north Africa... N-UNCOUNT: usu supp N 10. A person, place, book, or film that is full of life gives an impression of excitement, energy, or cheerfulness. The town itself was full of life and character... [approval] 11. If someone is sentenced to life, they are sentenced to stay in prison for the rest of their life or for a very long time. (INFORMAL) He could get life in prison, if convicted. N-UNCOUNT 12. The life of something such as a machine, organization, or project is the period of time that it lasts for. The repairs did not increase the value or the life of the equipment. N-COUNT: with poss 13. If you bring something to life or if it comes to life, it becomes interesting or exciting. The cold, hard cruelty of two young men is vividly brought to life in this true story... Poems which had seemed dull and boring suddenly came to life. PHRASE: V inflects 14. If something or someone comes to life, they become active. The volcano came to life a week ago. PHRASE: V inflects 15. If you say that someone is fighting for their life, you mean that they are in a very serious condition and may die as a result of an accident or illness. (JOURNALISM) He was in a critical condition, fighting for his life in hospital. PHRASE: V inflects 16. For life means for the rest of a person's life. He was jailed for life in 1966 for the murder of three policemen... She may have been scarred for life... PHRASE: PHR after v, n PHR 17. If you say that someone does something for dear life or for their life, you mean that they do it using all their strength and effort because they are in a dangerous or urgent situation. (INFORMAL) I made for the life raft and hung on for dear life. PHRASE: PHR after v [emphasis] 18. If you tell someone to get a life, you are expressing frustration with them because their life seems boring or they seem to care too much about unimportant things. (INFORMAL) PHRASE [disapproval] 19. You can use in all my life or in my life to emphasize that you have never previously experienced something to such a degree. I have never been so scared in all my life... PHRASE: usu with brd-neg, usu PHR after v [emphasis] 20. If you say that someone or something is larger than life, you mean that they appear or behave in a way that seems more exaggerated or important than usual. ...not that we should expect all good publishers to be larger than life... Throughout his career he's always been a larger than life character. PHRASE: v-link PHR, PHR n 21. If someone lays down their life for another person, they die so that the other person can live. (LITERARY) Man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR for n 22. If someone risks life and limb, they do something very dangerous that may cause them to die or be seriously injured. Viewers will remember the dashing hero, Dirk, risking life and limb to rescue Daphne from the dragons. PHRASE: V inflects 23. If you refer to someone as the life and soul of the party, you mean that they are very lively and entertaining on social occasions, and are good at mixing with people. In American English, you usually say that they are the life of the party. PHRASE: usu v-link PHR [approval] 24. If something starts life or begins life as a particular thing, it is that thing when it first starts to exist. Herr's book started life as a dramatic screenplay. PHRASE: V inflects, usu PHR as n 25. If someone takes another person's life, they kill them. If someone takes their own life, they kill themselves. (FORMAL) Before execution, he admitted to taking the lives of at least 35 more women... He helped his first wife take her life when she was dying of cancer. PHRASE: V and N inflect 26. You can use expressions such as to come to life, to spring to life, and to roar into life to indicate that a machine or vehicle suddenly starts working or moving. (LITERARY) To his great relief the engine came to life... In the garden of the Savoy Hotel the sprinklers suddenly burst into life. PHRASE: V inflects 27. a matter of life and death: see death a new lease of life: see lease to have the time of your life: see time true to life: see true see also fact of life, kiss of life

Easton's Bible Dictionary

generally of physical life (Gen. 2:7; Luke 16:25, etc.); also used figuratively (1) for immortality (Heb. 7:16); (2) conduct or manner of life (Rom. 6:4); (3) spiritual life or salvation (John 3:16, 17, 18, 36); (4) eternal life (Matt. 19:16, 17; John 3:15); of God and Christ as the absolute source and cause of all life (John 1:4; 5:26, 39; 11:25; 12:50).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

lif (chayyim, nephesh, ruach, chayah; zoe, psuche, bios, pneuma):

I. THE TERMS

II. THE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHING

1. Popular Use of the Term

2. Complexity of the Idea

III. IN THE APOCRYPHA

IV. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

1. In the Synoptic Gospels

2. In the Fourth Gospel

3. In the Ac of the Apostles

4. In the Writings of Paul

5. In the Writings of John

6. In the Other Books of the New Testament

LITERATURE

I. The Terms.

Of the Hebrew terms, chayah is the verb which means "to live," "to have life," or the vital principle, "to continue to live," or "to live prosperously." In the Piel it signifies "to give life, or preserve, or quicken and restore life." The Hiphil is much like the Piel. The noun hayyim generally used in the plural is an abstract noun meaning "life," i.e. the possession of the vital principle with its energies and activities. Nephesh often means "living being" or "creature." Sometimes it has the force of the reflexive "self." At other times it refers to the seat of the soul, the personality, the emotions, the appetites--passions and even mental acts. Frequently it means "life," the "seat of life," and in this way it is used about 171 times in the Old Testament, referring to the principle of vitality in both men and animals. Ruach signifies "wind," "breath," principle or source of vitality, but is never used to signify life proper.

II. The Old Testament Teaching.

1. Popular Use of the Term:

The term "life" is used in the Old Testament in the popular sense. It meant life in the body, the existence and activity of the man in all his parts and energies. It is the person complete, conscious and active. There is no idea of the body being a fetter or prison to the soul; the body was essential to life and the writers had no desire to be separated from it. To them the physical sphere was a necessity, and a man was living when all his activities were performed in the light of God's face and favor. The secret and source of life to them was relationship with God. There was nothing good or desirable apart from this relation of fellowship. To overcome or be rid of sin was necessary to life. The real center of gravity in life was in the moral and religious part of man's nature. This must be in fellowship with God, the source of all life and activity.

2. Complexity of the Idea:

The conception of life is very complex. Several meanings are clearly indicated:

(1) Very frequently it refers to the vital principle itself, apart from its manifestations (Ge 2:7). Here it is the breath of life, or the breath from God which contained and communicated the vital principle to man and made him a nephesh or living being (see also Ge 1:30; 6:17; 7:22; 45:5, etc.).

(2) It is used to denote the period of one's actual existence, i.e. "lifetime" (Ge 23:1; 25:7; 47:9; Ex 6:16,18,20, etc.).

(3) The life is represented as a direct gift from God, and dependent absolutely upon Him for its continuance (Ge 1:11-27; 2:7; Nu 16:22).

(4) In a few cases it refers to the conception of children, denoting the time when conception was possible (Ge 18:10,14 margin; 2Ki 4:16,17 margin).

(5) In many cases it refers to the totality of man's relationships and activities, all of which make up life (De 32:47; 1Sa 25:29; Job 10:1, etc.).

(6) In a few instances it is used synonymously with the means of sustaining life (De 24:6; Pr 27:27).

(7) Many times it is used synonymously with happiness or well-being (De 30:15,19; Ezr 6:10; Ps 16:11; 30:5; Pr 2:19, and frequently).

(8) It is always represented as a very precious gift, and offenses against life were to be severely punished (Ge 9:4,5; Le 17:14; 24:17).

Capital punishment is here specifically enjoined because of the value of the life that has been taken. The lexicon talionis required life for life (Ex 21:23; De 19:21); and this even applies to the beast (Le 24:18). The life was represented as abiding in the blood and therefore the blood must not be eaten, or lightly shed upon the ground (Le 17:15; De 12:23). The Decalogue forbids murder or the taking of human life wrongfully (Ex 20:13; De 5:17). Garments taken in pledge must not be kept over night, for thereby the owner's life might be endangered (De 24:6). That life was considered precious appears in 2Ki 10:24; Es 7:7; Job 2:4; Pr 4:23; 6:26. The essence of sacrifice consisted in the fact that the life (the nephesh) resided in the blood; thus when blood was shed, life was lost (De 12:23; Le 17:11). Oppression on the part of judges and rulers was severely condemned because oppression was detrimental to life.

(9) Long life was much desired and sought by the Israelites, and under certain conditions this was possible (Ps 91:16). The longevity of the ante-diluvian patriarchs is a problem by itself (see ANTEDILUVIANS). It was one of the greatest of calamities to be cut off in the midst of life (Isa 38:10-12; 53:8); that a good old age was longed for is shown by Ex 20:12; Ps 21:4; 34:12; 61:6, etc. This long life was possible to the obedient to parents (Ex 20:12; De 5:16), and to those obedient to God (De 4:4; Pr 3:1,2; 10:27); to the wise (Pr 3:16; 9:11); to the pure in heart (Ps 34:12-14; 91:1-10; Ec 3:12,13); to those who feared God (Pr 10:27; Isa 65:18-21; 38:2-5, etc.).

(10) The possibility of an immortal life is dimly hinted at in the earliest writing, and much more clearly taught in the later. The Tree of Life in the midst of the garden indicated a possible immortality for man upon earth (Ge 2:9; 3:22,24) (see TREE OF LIFE).

Failing to partake of this and falling into sin by partaking of the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil," they were driven forth from the garden lest they should eat of the tree of life and become immortal beings in their sinful condition. To deprive man of the possibility of making himself immortal while sinful was a blessing to the race; immortality without holiness is a curse rather than a blessing. The way to the tree of life was henceforth guarded by the cherubim and the flame of a sword, so that men could not partake of it in their condition of sin. This, however, did not exclude the possibility of a spiritual immortality in another sphere. Enoch's fellowship with God led to a bodily translation; so also Elijah, and several hundred years after their deaths, God called Himself the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, implying that they were really alive then. In Isa 26:19 there is a clear prophecy of a resurrection, and an end of death. Da 12:2 asserts a resurrection of many of the dead, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Some of the psalmists firmly believed in the continuity of the life in fellowship with God (Ps 16:10,11; 17:15; 23:6; 49:15; 73:24,25). The exact meaning of some of these statements is difficult to understand, yet this much is clear: there was a revolt against death in many pious minds, and a belief that the life of fellowship with God could not end or be broken even by death itself.

See IMMORTALITY.

(11) The fundamental fact in the possession of life was vital relationship with God. Men first lived because God breathed into them the breath of life (Ge 2:7). Man's vital energies are the outflowing of the spirit or vital energies of God, and all activities are dependent upon the vitalizing power from God. When God sends forth His spirit, things are created, and live; when He withdraws that spirit they die (Ps 104:30). "In his favor is life" (Ps 30:5 the King James Version). He is the fountain of life (Ps 36:9; 63:3). "All my fountains are in thee" (Ps 87:7). The secret of Job's success and happiness was that the Almighty was with him (Job 29:2). This fellowship brought him health, friends, prosperity and all other blessings. The consciousness of the fellowship with God led men to revolt against the idea of going to Sheol where this fellowship must cease. They felt that such a relationship could not cease, and God would take them out of Sheol.

III. In the Apocrypha.

A similar conception of life appears here as in the Old Testament. Zoe and peuche are used and occur most frequently in the books of The Wisdom of Solomon and Ecclus. In 1 and 2 Esdras the word is little used; 2 Esdras 3:5; 16:61 are but a quotation from Ge 2:7, and refer to the vital principle; 2 Esdras 14:30, Tobit, Judith, Ad Esther use it in the same sense also. Wisdom and Ecclesiasticus use it in several senses closely resembling the use in Proverbs (compare Ecclesiasticus 4:12; Pr 3:18; 10:16). In general there is no additional meaning attached to the word. The Psalms of Solomon refer to everlasting life in 3:16; 13:10; 14:2,6.

IV. In the New Testament.

Of the Greek terms bios is used at times as the equivalent of the Hebrew chayyim. It refers to life extensively, i.e. the period of one's existence, a lifetime; also to the means of sustaining life, such as wealth, etc. Psuche is also equivalent to chayyim at times, but very frequently to nephesh and sometimes to ruach. Thus, it means the vital principle, a living being, the immaterial part of man, the seat of the affections, desires and appetites, etc. The term zoe corresponds very closely to chayyim, and means the vital principle, the state of one who is animate, the fullness of activities and relationship both in the physical and spiritual realms.

The content of the word zoe is the chief theme of the New Testament. The life is mediated by Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament this life was through fellowship with God, in the New Testament it is through Jesus Christ the Mediator. The Old Testament idea is carried to its completion, its highest development of meaning, being enriched by the supreme teaching and revelation of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament as well as in the Old Testament, the center of gravity in human life is in the moral and religious nature of man.

1. In the Synoptic Gospels:

The teaching here regarding life naturally links itself with Old Testament ideas and the prevailing conceptions of Judaism. The word is used in the sense of

(1) the vital principle, that which gives actual physical existence (Mt 2:20; Mr 10:45; Lu 12:22 f; 14:26).

(2) It is also the period of one's existence, i.e. lifetime (Lu 1:75; 16:25).

(3) Once it may mean the totality of man's relationships and activities (Lu 12:15) which do not consist in abundance of material possessions.

(4) Generally it means the real life, the vital connection with the world and God, the sum total of man's highest interests. It is called "eternal life" (Mt 19:29; 25:46). It is called "life" (Mt 18:8,9; 19:17; Mr 9:43,45,46). In these passages Jesus seems to imply that it is almost equivalent to "laying up treasures in heaven," or to "entering the kingdom of God." The entering into life and entering the kingdom are practically the same, for the kingdom is that spiritual realm where God controls, where the principles, activities and relationships of heaven prevail, and hence, to enter into these is to enter into "life."

(5) The lower life of earthly relationship and activities must be subordinated to the higher and spiritual (Mt 10:39; 16:25; Lu 9:24). These merely earthly interests may be very desirable and enjoyable, but whoever would cling to these and make them supreme is in danger of losing the higher. The spiritual being infinitely more valuable should be sought even if the other relationship should be lost entirely.

(6) Jesus also speaks of this life as something future, and to be realized at the consummation of the age (Mt 19:29; Lu 18:30), or the world to come.

This in no wise contradicts the statement that eternal life can be entered upon in this life. As Jesus Himself was in vital relationship with the spiritual world and lived the eternal life, He sought to bring others into the same blessed state. This life was far from being perfect. The perfection could come only at the consummation when all was perfection and then they would enter into the perfect fellowship with God and connection with the spirit-world and its blessed experiences. There is no conflict in His teaching here, no real difficulty, only an illustration of Browning's statement, "Man never is but wholly hopes to be." Thus in the synoptists Jesus teaches the reality of the eternal life as a present possession as well as future fruition. The future is but the flowering out and perfection of the present. Without the present bud, there can be no future flower.

(7) The conditions which Jesus lays down for entering into this life are faith in Himself as the one Mediator of the life, and the following of Him in a life of obedience. He alone knows the Father and can reveal Him to others (Mt 11:27). He alone can give true rest and can teach men how to live (Mt 11:28 f). The sure way to this life is: "Follow me." His whole ministry was virtually a prolonged effort to win confidence in Himself as Son and Mediator, to win obedience, and hence, bring men unto these spiritual relationships and activities which constitute the true life.

2. In the Fourth Gospel:

The fullest and richest teachings regarding life are found here. The greatest word of this Gospel is "life." The author says he wrote the Gospel in order that "ye may have life" (Joh 20:31). Most of the teachings recorded, circle around this great word "life." This teaching is in no way distinctive and different from that of the synoptists, but is supplementary, and completes the teaching of Jesus on the subject. The use of the word is not as varied, being concentrated on the one supreme subject.

(1) In a few cases it refers only to the vital principle which gives life or produces a lifetime (Joh 10:11,15-18; 13:37; 15:13).

(2) It represents Jesus the Loges as the origin and means of all life to the world. As the preincarnate Loges He was the source of life to the universe (Joh 1:4). As the incarnate Loges He said His life had been derived originally from the Father (Joh 5:26; 6:57; 10:18). He then was the means of life to men (Joh 3:15,16; 4:14; 5:21,39,40); and this was the purpose for which He came into the world (Joh 6:33,34,51; 10:10).

(3) The prevailing reference, however, is to those activities which are the expression of fellowship with God and Jesus Christ. These relationships are called "eternal life" (Joh 3:15,16,36; 4:14, etc.). The nearest approach to a definition of eternal life is found in Joh 17:3. Though not a scientific or metaphysical definition, it is nevertheless Jesus' own description of eternal life, and reveals His conception of it. It is thus more valuable than a formal definition. It is "to know God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent."

This knowledge is vastly more than mere intellectual perception or understanding. It is moral knowledge, it is personal acquaintance, it is fellowship, a contact, if we may so speak, of personality with personality, an inner affinity and sympathy, an experience of similar thoughts, emotions, purposes, motives, desires, an interchange of the heart's deepest feelings and experiences. It is a bringing of the whole personality of man into right relationship with the personality of God. This relation is ethical, personal, binding the two together with ties which nothing can separate. It is into this experience that Jesus came to bring men. Such a life Jesus says is satisfying to all who hunger and thirst for it (Joh 4:14; 6:35); it is the source of light to all (Joh 1:4; 8:12); it is indestructible (Joh 6:58; 11:26); it is like a well of water in the soul (Joh 4:14); it is procured by personally partaking of those qualities which belong to Jesus (Joh 6:53).

(4) This life is a present possession and has also a glorious future fruition.

(a) To those who exercise faith in Jesus it is a present experience and possession (Joh 4:10; 5:24,40). Faith in Him as the Son of God is the psychological means by which persons are brought into this vital relationship with God. Those who exercised the faith immediately experienced this new power and fellowship and exercised the new activities.

(b) It has a glorious fruition in the future also (Joh 4:36; 5:29; 6:39,44,54). John does not give so much prominence to the eschatological phase of Jesus' teachings as to the present reality and actual possession of this blessed life.

(5) It has been objected that in speaking of the Loges as the source of life John is pursuing a metaphysical line, whereas the life which he so much emphasizes has an ethical basis, and he makes no attempt to reconcile the two. The objection may have force to one who has imbibed the Ritschlian idea of performing the impossible task of eliminating all metaphysics from theology. It will not appeal very strongly to the average Christian. It is a purely academic objection. The ordinary mind will think that if Jesus Christ is the source of ethical and eternal life it is because He possesses something of the essence and being of God, which makes His work for men possible. The metaphysical and the ethical may exist together, may run concurrently, the one being the source and seat of the other. There is no contradiction. Both metaphysics and ethics are a legitimate and necessary exercise of the human mind.

3. In the Ac of the Apostles:

In His intercessory prayer, John 17, Jesus said His mission was to give eternal life to as many as the Father had given Him (17:2). The record in Ac is the carrying out of that purpose. The word "life" is used in several senses:

(1) the vital principle or physical life (17:25; 20:10,24; 27:10,22);

(2) also the sum total of man's relationships and activities upon earth (5:20; 26:4);

(3) Jesus Christ is regarded as the source and principle of life, being called by Peter, "the Prince of life" (3:15). Also the life eternal or everlasting is spoken of with the same significance as in the Gospels (11:18; 13:46,48).

4. In the Writings of Paul:

Here also the words for "life" are used in various senses:

(1) the vital principle which gives physical vitality and existence (Ro 8:11,38; 11:15; 1Co 3:22; Php 1:20; 2:30);

(2) the sum total of man's relationships and activities (1Co 6:3,4; 1Ti 2:2; 4:8; 2Ti 1:1; 3:10 the King James Version);

(3) those relationships with God and with Christ in the spiritual realm, and the activities arising therefrom which constitute the real and eternal life.

This is mediated by Christ (Ro 5:10). It is in Christ (Ro 6:11). It is the free gift of God (Ro 6:23). It is also mediated or imparted to us through the Spirit (Ro 8:2,6,9,10; 2Co 2:16; 3:6; Ga 6:8). It comes through obedience to the word (Ro 7:10; Php 2:16); and through faith (1Ti 1:16). It may be apprehended in this life (1Ti 6:12,19). It is brought to light through the gospel (2Ti 1:10). It is a reward to those who by patience in well-doing seek it (Ro 2:7). It gives conquering power over sin and death (Ro 5:17,18,21). It is the end or reward of a sanctified life (Ro 6:22). It is a present possession and a hope (Tit 1:2; 3:7). It will be received in all its fullness hereafter (Ro 2:7; 2Co 5:4). Thus Paul's use of the word substantially agrees with the teaching in the Gospels, and no doubt was largely based upon it.

5. In the Writings of John:

In the Johannine Epistles and Revelation, the contents of the term "life" are the same as those in the Fourth Gospel. Life in certain passages (1 Joh 3:16; Re 8:9; 11:11; 12:11) is mere physical vitality and existence upon earth. The source of life is Christ Himself (1 Joh 1:1 f; 5:11 f,16). The blessed eternal life in Christ is a present possession to all those who are in fellowship with the Father and the Son (1 Joh 5:11,12). Here is an echo of the words of Jesus (Joh 17:3) where John describes the life, the eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested unto us. It is virtually fellowship with the Father and with the Son (1 Joh 1:2,4). Life is promised to those who are faithful (Re 2:7); and the crown of life is promised to those who are faithful unto death (Re 2:10). The crown of life doubtless refers to the realization of all the glorious possibilities that come through fellowship with God and the Son. The thirsty are invited to come and drink of the water of life freely (Re 21:6; 22:17). The river of life flows through the streets of the New Jerusalem (Re 22:1), and the tree of life blooms on its banks, bearing twelve manner of fruit (22:2,14).

See TREE OF LIFE.

6. In the Other Books of the New Testament:

The Epistle to the Hebrews speaks of our lifetime or periods of existence upon earth (2:15; 7:3), likewise of the power of an indissoluble life (7:16); James promises the crown of life to the faithful (1:12). This reward is the fullness of life's possibilities hereafter. Our lifetime is mentioned in 4:14 and represented as brief as a vapor. Peter in 1Pe 3:7 speaks of man and wife as joint-heirs of the grace of life, and of loving life (1Pe 3:10), referring to the totality of relationships and activities. The "all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (2Pe 1:3) constitute the whole Christian life involving the life eternal.

LITERATURE.

Articles on "Life" in HDB, DCG, Jewish Encyclopedia;on "Soul," "Spirit," etc., ibid, and in Encyclopedia Brit, EB, Kitto, Smith, Standard, etc.; Laidlaw, Bible Doctrine of Man; Delitzsch, A System of Biblical Psychology; cornms. on the various passages; Davidson, Old Testament Theology; Oehler and Schultz, Old Testament Theology; Stevens, Johannine Theology and Pauline Theology; Holtzmann, New Testament Theology, I, 293 ff; G. Dalman, Words of Jesus; Phillips Brooks, More Abundant Life; B.F. Westcott, Historic Faith; F.J.A. Hort, The Way, the Truth, the Life; J.G. Hoare, Life in John's Gospels; E. White, Life and Christ; Salmond, The Christian Doctrine of Immortality; R.J. Knowling, Witness of the Epistles and The Testimony of Paul to Christ; commentaries on the various passages; McPherson, "The New Testament View of Life," The Expositor, I, set. v, 72 ff; Massie, "Two New Testament Words Denoting Life," The Expositor, II, series iv, 380 ff; Schrenk, Die Johannistische Anschauung yom Leben.

J. J. Reeve

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. Vitality, the vital spark, the breath of life, the breath of one's nostrils. 2. Time from birth to death, period of life, lifetime. 3. Animated existence, living beings. 4. Mode or course of living, manner of life, course, career. 5. Conduct, deportment, behavior. 6. Animation, vigor, spirit, vivacity, alertness, briskness, sprightliness, activity, energy. 7. Biography, memoir. 8. Real person, living form. 9. Society, social manners, human affairs, course of things.

Moby Thesaurus

Adamite, Clio, Muse of history, activator, activity, adventures, affairs, age, alacrity, an existence, animal spirits, animation, animator, annals, anxiety, anxiousness, appetite, ardor, arouser, autobiography, avidity, avidness, being, biographical sketch, biography, body, bounce, breathless impatience, breeziness, brio, briskness, bubbliness, capersomeness, case history, cat, chap, character, cheerful readiness, chronicle, chronicles, chronology, circumstances, coltishness, compulsion, concerns, condition of things, conditions, confessions, creature, critter, curriculum vitae, customer, dash, dazzle, dealings, diary, doings, duck, duration, eagerness, earthling, ebullience, effervescence, elan, elan vital, elasticity, energizer, energy, ens, entelechy, enthusiasm, entity, esprit, esse, essence, existence, experiences, exuberance, fellow, fixation, flair, flavor, fortunes, forwardness, freshness, friskiness, frolicsomeness, gaiety, gamesomeness, gayness, generation, get-up-and-go, glow, goings-on, groundling, gust, gusto, guy, hagiography, hagiology, hand, head, heartiness, historiography, history, homo, human, human being, human dynamo, impatience, impetuosity, impetus, individual, joie de vivre, joker, journal, keen desire, keenness, legend, life and letters, life story, lifeblood, lifetime, liveliness, living, living soul, lustiness, man, march of events, martyrology, materiality, matters, memoir, memoirs, memorabilia, memorial, memorials, mettle, monad, mortal, motivating force, motive power, moving spirit, moxie, necrology, nose, obituary, object, obsession, occurrence, one, oomph, organism, party, passion, pep, peppiness, period of existence, perkiness, person, persona, personage, personality, pertness, photobiography, piss and vinegar, pizzazz, playfulness, preoccupation, presence, proceedings, profile, promptness, pungency, quickness, readiness, record, relations, resilience, restorative, resume, robustness, rollicksomeness, rompishness, run of things, sentience, single, skittishness, somebody, someone, something, soul, spark of life, spark plug, sparkle, spirit, spiritedness, spirits, sportiveness, sprightliness, spring, state of affairs, stimulant, stimulator, stimulus, story, subsistence, substantiality, survival, sustenance, tellurian, terran, the times, the world, theory of history, thing, time, tonic, unit, verve, viability, vigor, vim, vital spark, vitality, vivaciousness, vivacity, warmth, way of life, what happens, worldling, zest, zestfulness, zing, zip