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ζάω

záō

G2198 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ζαω- to live, be alive, have life

Definition

To be alive, to live (in the sense of possessing, expressing, or experiencing life); to remain alive, to be in a state of animate existence. Also, to conduct one’s life in a particular manner or way, encompassing both physical and metaphorical senses (such as moral or spiritual life). In contexts, may refer to continued existence, renewal of life, or vitality.

Semantic Range

to be alive, to live (in contrast to dying or being dead), to conduct one’s life, to continue in existence, to recover life or revive, to thrive or flourish, to live in a moral or spiritual sense

Root / Etymology

Rooted in the Greek verb ζάω (záō), ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root *gʷih₃w- meaning 'to live.' Cognate with ζωή (zōē, 'life'). See also related terms βιόω (to live, especially in the sense of making a living or spending one’s life), indicating nuances in the choice of verbs for existence vs. manner of life.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Classical Greek, ζάω frequently denotes the simple condition of being alive, as opposed to being dead, as well as the activity or manner in which one lives. It appears widely in a literal sense ('to be alive') but can also mean to thrive or to flourish. In Hellenistic and Koine contexts (including the Septuagint and New Testament), ζάω retains the core sense of being alive, but is frequently extended to denote conduct or way of life (e.g., to live in a manner pleasing to the divine, or to live according to certain principles). In contrast with βιόω, which often means to pass one’s life, ζάω is more focused on the state or quality of being alive rather than the duration or circumstances. In certain contexts, especially in philosophical and religious texts, it may refer to 'living' in a higher or spiritual sense (e.g., ζωὴ αἰώνιος, 'eternal life'). Traditional English translations such as 'live' or 'life' generally capture the primary meanings but may obscure nuances between physical, ethical, and spiritual senses found in Koine usage.

Translation Consistency

primary "live" 139 occurrences

ζάω primarily means to be alive or to live (physically, morally, or spiritually). "Live" is the most natural, broad, and frequently attested English verb that covers continued existence, conduct of life, and revival/thriving senses. It allows consistent inflection (live, lives, lived, living) across all forms while matching typical usage in English translations.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"come to life" (1x) "alive" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively):--life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick.

Root Family

ζάω (zaō) — to live, be alive, have life

Word Forms

30 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2198-26 ζῶντος zontos V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG living of the one living of the one living 14
G2198-06 ζῇ ze V PRS ACT IND 3P SG lives lives lives 13
G2198-07 ζῆν zen V PRS ACT INF to live to be alive to live 12
G2198-20 ζῶν zon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG living living (one) living 11
G2198-13 ζήσεται zesetai V FUT MID IND 3P SG shall live he/she/it will live he/she/it will live 10
G2198-15 ζήσομεν zesomen V FUT ACT IND 1P PL we might live we will live we will live 8
G2198-24 ζῶντι zonti V PRS ACT PTCP DAT M SG living to the living one to the living one 7
G2198-23 ζῶντες zontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL living the living ones the living ones 7
G2198-19 ζῶμεν zomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL we live we are living we are living 7
G2198-18 ζῶ zo V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I live I am alive I live 6

Occurrences in Scripture

141 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2198-13 Matthew 4:4 ζήσεται zesetai V FUT MID IND 3P SG shall live he/she/it will live will live
G2198-13 Matthew 9:18 ζήσεται zesetai V FUT MID IND 3P SG she will live he/she/it will live she will live
G2198-26 Matthew 16:16 ζῶντος zontos V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG living of the one living of the one living
G2198-25 Matthew 22:32 ζώντων zonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL of [the] living of those living of those living
G2198-26 Matthew 26:63 ζῶντος zontos V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG living of the one living of the one living
G2198-20 Matthew 27:63 ζῶν zon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG alive living (one) living
G2198-10 Mark 5:23 ζήσῃ zese V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG live may live may live
G2198-25 Mark 12:27 ζώντων zonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL of the living of those living of those living
G2198-06 Mark 16:11 ζῇ ze V PRS ACT IND 3P SG he lives lives he lives
G2198-09 Luke 2:36 ζήσασα zesasa V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F SG having lived having lived having lived
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