χαρά
chará
G5479 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or feeling of joy, delight, or gladness; emotional or affective response characterized by a sense of happiness or well-being, often in reaction to favorable events or divine favor. Can denote both an inward state and its outward expression, depending on context. In extended usage, refers to reason for joy or the occasion of rejoicing.
Semantic Range
joy, gladness, delight, occasion for rejoicing, emotional state of happiness, cause of joy; present inward feeling of joy; communal or religious celebration; reason or basis for joy
Root / Etymology
From the root χαίρω ('to rejoice, to be glad'). Formed as a feminine abstract noun with the ending -ά.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, χαρά primarily denotes the experience or feeling of gladness or joy in response to fortune, friendship, or accomplishment. It could refer to both emotional state ('joy') and the cause or occasion for that emotion ('a joy'). In the Septuagint, χαρά often translates Hebrew שִׂמְחָה (simchah, 'joy') and similar terms, frequently in religious contexts such as festivals, worship, or deliverance. In the New Testament, χαρά retains its core meaning of 'joy' but is frequently associated with spiritual realities—divine action, salvation, or the coming of the kingdom of God. It can describe both human emotional response and the enduring state produced by life in accordance with divine will. Standard English translations (e.g., 'joy,' 'gladness') typically capture the primary sense, but may not convey the depth of the term's association with both communal celebration and personal, spiritual well-being in Koine sources. Cognate with other χαρ- words, such as χάρις ('grace, favor'), reflecting a semantic field dealing with positive emotion and well-being.
Translation Consistency
‘Joy’ is the most natural, common English rendering of χαρά and matches the full semantic range (inward feeling, outward gladness, and occasion/reason for rejoicing). It is the dominant attestation in existing translations (53/59 occurrences in the P2 data) and reads naturally in all grammatical contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from χαίρω; cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight:--gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy(-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).
Root Family
χαρά (chara) — joy, gladness, delight, rejoicing
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5479-01 |
χαρά | chara | N NOM F SG |
joy | joy | joy | 23 |
G5479-03 |
χαρᾶς | charas | N GEN F SG |
joy | of joy | of joy | 22 |
G5479-02 |
χαρὰν | charan | N ACC F SG |
joy | joy | joy | 14 |
Occurrences in Scripture
59 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G5479-02 |
Matthew 2:10 | χαρὰν | charan | N ACC F SG |
joy | joy | joy |
G5479-03 |
Matthew 13:20 | χαρᾶς | charas | N GEN F SG |
joy | of joy | of joy |
G5479-03 |
Matthew 13:44 | χαρᾶς | charas | N GEN F SG |
joy | of joy | of joy |
G5479-02 |
Matthew 25:21 | χαρὰν | charan | N ACC F SG |
joy | joy | joy |
G5479-02 |
Matthew 25:23 | χαρὰν | charan | N ACC F SG |
joy | joy | joy |
G5479-03 |
Matthew 28:8 | χαρᾶς | charas | N GEN F SG |
joy | of joy | of joy |
G5479-03 |
Mark 4:16 | χαρᾶς | charas | N GEN F SG |
joy | of joy | of joy |
G5479-01 |
Luke 1:14 | χαρά | chara | N NOM F SG |
joy | joy | joy |
G5479-02 |
Luke 2:10 | χαρὰν | charan | N ACC F SG |
joy | joy | joy |
G5479-03 |
Luke 8:13 | χαρᾶς | charas | N GEN F SG |
joy | of joy | of joy |