חָיֶה (cha.yeh)
cha.yeh
vigorous
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The adjective ḥāyeh describes something as vigorous or lively, emphasizing the active energy of life rather than mere existence. It conveys a sense of robustness and vitality, suggesting that the subject is not just alive but possesses a dynamic strength.
This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Exodus 1:19. The midwives use it to explain why they have not killed the Hebrew boys as ordered by Pharaoh. They claim the Hebrew women are ḥāyeh, meaning their labor is vigorous or lively compared to Egyptian women. This usage highlights a physical resilience and speed in childbirth that serves as a practical reason for their disobedience.
The term focuses on the observable power and liveliness inherent in life. By describing the women’s vigor, the text underscores the contrast between the Hebrews’ vitality and the king’s attempt to suppress it. The word captures the raw, energetic force of being alive.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word ḥāyeh appears in Exodus 1:19, where Hebrew midwives describe themselves as vigorous. They use this term to explain their speed and resilience during childbirth, contrasting their natural vitality with the expectations of Egyptian women. This brief description reveals a deep, physical strength that defies royal orders.
For your faith, this word reminds us that life carries an inherent energy that resists oppression. Even when powerful leaders try to suppress God's people, the raw power of life persists. You can trust that God sustains this vitality in you, providing strength for difficult moments and unexpected challenges.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [are] vigorous1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חָי֣וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 1:19
The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women aren’t like the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.”
The midwives use this adjective to claim their labor is so swift and vigorous that they finish before help arrives, providing a practical excuse for disobeying Pharaoh.