חַיּוּת (chay.yut)
chay.yut
living
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun chayyut is an abstract form derived from the common word for life, chay. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in 2 Samuel 20:3. In this specific context, it describes a state of being alive or living, rather than the general concept of vitality.
The verse uses the term to describe King David’s concubines after the death of Absalom. The text states that he kept them in a house under guard, providing for them but never going in to them, and they remained as widows, living (chayyut) but cut off from their former marital life. Here, the word emphasizes their continued existence despite their social and relational isolation.
Because it is so rare, chayyut does not carry a wide range of theological meanings across Scripture. Its significance lies in this single narrative detail: it marks the difference between biological survival and full communal or familial participation. The concubines were alive, yet their lives were restricted and defined by loss.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word chayyut appears only once in Scripture, yet it carries a heavy weight. In 2 Samuel 20:3, it describes King David’s concubines who were kept alive but isolated after the rebellion of Absalom. They were not dead, but they were no longer fully living in community or relationship. This rare term highlights the painful gap between mere biological survival and the fullness of life that God intends for us.
For many believers, this distinction resonates deeply. There are seasons when we feel like we are simply existing—getting through each day without joy, connection, or purpose. It is a lonely place to be. Yet, seeing this word in Scripture reminds us that God sees the difference between staying alive and truly living. He cares about our wholeness, not just our continued breath.
Even in isolation or loss, your life has value. You are seen by a God who desires restoration, not just preservation. May you find hope in His promise to bring new life where there is only survival, and to restore what was lost through Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- living1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חַיּֽוּת\׃\ \ס1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 20:3
David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in custody and provided them with sustenance, but didn’t go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.
This verse uses chayyut to describe the concubines' state of being alive yet socially and relationally cut off, marking the difference between survival and full participation in life.