All word studies
Soul in the Bible
The Bible's word for soul is broader than the English suggests — it names the living, breathing self in all its dimensions. The soul is what makes a person a person.
Greek & Hebrew words
Greek (New Testament)
Hebrew (Old Testament)
Key KJV verses
All verses →Genesis 2:7
“The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground... and man became a living soul.”Read in context
Mark 8:36
“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”Read in context
Matthew 22:37
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”Read in context
Nephesh: the living being
Hebrew nephesh (H5315) is the whole living self — not a part of a person but the person as a living being (Genesis 2:7).
Psyche: the life that matters
Greek psyche (G5590) carries 'life' and 'self.' Jesus warns of gaining the world and losing the soul — the irreplaceable self.
Frequently asked questions
What is the soul in the Bible?
The living self — the whole person as a living, breathing being (Genesis 2:7), not merely an immaterial part.
What is the difference between soul and spirit?
Scripture sometimes distinguishes them (1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:12) but often uses them interchangeably for the inner person.