Soul

The soul (Hebrew nephesh, Greek psyche) is the life or inner self of a person, and often the whole living being. It is made by God, longs for God, and is in need of salvation.

A living soul

• Genesis 2:7
  And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.
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• Ezekiel 18:4
  Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die.
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• Isaiah 57:16
  For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me, with the breath of those I have made.
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The soul longs for God

• Psalm 42:1-2
  ¹As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. ²My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?
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• Psalm 62:1
  Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.In God alone my soul finds rest; my salvation comes from Him.
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• Psalm 63:1
  O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.
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• Psalm 84:2
  My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.My soul longs, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
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With all thy soul

• Deuteronomy 6:5
  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
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• Matthew 22:37
  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
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• Psalm 103:1
  Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name.
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The worth of a soul

• Matthew 10:28
  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
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• Matthew 16:26
  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
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• Luke 12:20
  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’
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Rest and salvation for the soul

• Psalm 23:3
  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.
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• Matthew 11:29
  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
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• Hebrews 10:39
  But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
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• James 1:21
  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.
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• 1 Peter 1:9
  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
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Spirit, soul, and body

• 1 Thessalonians 5:23
  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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• Hebrews 4:12
  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
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See also

• Death
• Eternal life
• Salvation
• Heaven
• Image of God

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.