| << Previous (Vayigash) | Next (Shemot) >> |
The Hebrew Word
The name of this week's parashah, וַיְחִי [vayechi], means "and he lived". It is a third-person masculine conjugation of the Hebrew verb chayah [Strong's #2421], which is a root word that literally means "to live". The gerund form of the word ("living") can also be a noun in the sense of a "living being". It is also sometimes translated as "beast" in terms of a "living thing". The word is used 449 times in 355 verses in the Tanakh.
First use in Scripture
The first time chayah is used in Scripture is in Genesis 1 where the "living being" or "beast" meaning is used.
Then G-d said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind"; and it was so. (Genesis 1:24)
The first time chayah is used in Scripture in its "to live" sense is in Genesis 5.
When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth. (Genesis 5:3)
Last use in Scripture
The last time chayah is used in Scripture is in Zechariah 13.
"And if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who gave birth to him will say to him, 'You shall not live, for you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD'; and his father and mother who gave birth to him will pierce him through when he prophesies." (Zechariah 13:3)
Parashah Outline
- Jacob's plea to Joseph not to bury him in Egypt - Genesis 47:28
- Israel's last days - Genesis 48:1
- The blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh - Genesis 48:9
- Prophecy of Israel's sons - Genesis 49:1
- Israel's death - Genesis 50:1
- Mourning and burial at Machpelah - Genesis 50:12
- Joseph's death - Genesis 50:22
Portraits of Messiah
pending
Other Observations
Commandments In the Parashah
None of the traditional 613 commandments are found within this parashah.
Related Verses In the Torah
Pending
Related Verses In the Prophets
Pending
Related Verses In the Writings
Pending
Related Verses In the Apostolic Writings
Pending
Appendix
257 verses that include chaya (Strong's #2421)
View the list of verses on BlueLetterBible.com
