Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of "expire" is often associated with the end of life or the cessation of breath. The term is derived from the Latin "exspirare," meaning "to breathe out," and is used in Scripture to describe the moment of death when the spirit departs from the body. This entry explores the theological and scriptural significance of expiration as it relates to the human condition, mortality, and the hope of eternal life.
Scriptural ReferencesThe Bible frequently uses the imagery of breath to symbolize life, and its cessation to denote death. In
Genesis 2:7, the creation of man is described: "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." This divine breath is what animates human life, and its withdrawal signifies the end of earthly existence.
In the Old Testament, the term "expire" is often used in the context of patriarchal narratives. For instance,
Genesis 25:8 recounts the death of Abraham: "Abraham breathed his last and died at a ripe old age, an old man and full of years, and he was gathered to his people." Similarly,
Genesis 49:33 describes Jacob's death: "When Jacob had finished instructing his sons, he drew his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people."
The New Testament also reflects on the concept of expiration, particularly in the context of Jesus Christ's crucifixion. In
Luke 23:46, Jesus' death is described: "Then Jesus called out in a loud voice, 'Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.' And when He had said this, He breathed His last." This moment is pivotal in Christian theology, symbolizing the completion of Jesus' earthly mission and the fulfillment of divine redemption.
Theological SignificanceFrom a theological perspective, the expiration of life is not merely an end but a transition. The Bible teaches that physical death is a consequence of sin, as stated in
Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." However, through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are promised eternal life, transcending the expiration of the physical body.
The concept of expiration also underscores the transient nature of human life and the importance of living in accordance with God's will.
Psalm 90:10 reflects on the brevity of life: "The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong—yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away." This awareness encourages believers to focus on spiritual growth and the pursuit of righteousness.
Practical ImplicationsUnderstanding the biblical concept of expiration can provide comfort and hope to believers facing the reality of death. It serves as a reminder of the promise of resurrection and eternal life through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul writes in
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14: "Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him."
In summary, the biblical notion of expiration is deeply intertwined with themes of life, death, and resurrection. It calls believers to live with an eternal perspective, trusting in the hope and promise of life beyond the grave.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To breathe out; to emit from the lungs; to throw out from the mouth or nostrils in the process of respiration; -- opposed to inspire.
2. (v. t.) To give forth insensibly or gently, as a fluid or vapor; to emit in minute particles; to exhale; as, the earth expires a damp vapor; plants expire odors.
3. (v. t.) To emit; to give out.
4. (v. t.) To bring to a close; to terminate.
5. (v. i.) To emit the breath.
6. (v. i.) To emit the last breath; to breathe out the life; to die; as, to expire calmly; to expire in agony.
7. (v. i.) To come to an end; to cease; to terminate; to perish; to become extinct; as, the flame expired; his lease expires to-day; the month expired on Saturday.
8. (v. i.) To burst forth; to fly out with a blast.
Greek
1634. ekpsucho -- toexpire, breathe one's last... to
expire, breathe one's last. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekpsucho Phonetic
Spelling: (ek-psoo'-kho) Short Definition: I breathe my last, die,
expire...1606. ekpneo -- to breathe out,expire
... to breathe out,expire. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekpneo Phonetic Spelling:
(ek-pneh'-o) Short Definition: I breathe my last,expire Definition: (lit...
5055. teleo -- to bring to an end, complete, fulfill
... From telos; to end, ie Complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt) -- accomplish,
make an end,expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform....
5053. teleutao -- to complete, to come to an end, hence to die
... decease, die. From a presumed derivative of teleo; to finish life (by implication,
of bios), ieExpire (demise) -- be dead, decease, die. see GREEK teleo....
4137. pleroo -- to make full, to complete
... accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end,expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make)
full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply. see GREEK pleres....
Strong's Hebrew
1478. gava -- toexpire, perish, die... 1477, 1478. gava. 1479 . to
expire, perish, die. Transliteration: gava Phonetic
Spelling: (gaw-vah') Short Definition: perish. Word Origin a prim.
...5301. naphach -- to breathe, blow
... A primitive root; to puff, in various applications (literally, to inflate, blow
hard, scatter, kindle,expire; figuratively, to disesteem) -- blow, breath...
1846. daak -- to go out, be extinguished
... A primitive root; to be extinguished; figuratively, toexpire or be dried up --
be extinct, consumed, put out, quenched. 1845, 1846. daak. 1847 ....
3615. kalah -- to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished...
... Were) done, (be an) end (of),expire, (cause to) fail, faint, finish, fulfil, X
fully, X have, leave (off), long, bring to pass, wholly reap, make clean...
3518. kabah -- to be quenched or extinguished, to go out
... go put out, quench. A primitive root; toexpire or (causatively) to extinguish
(fire, light, anger) -- go (put) out, quench. 3517, 3518. kabah. 3519 ....
Library
Having Thus Attained to the Highest Power, He Bent his Mind to...
... Meanwhile cold water was continually poured on their faces, and their mouths moistened,
lest, by reason of their jaws being parched, they shouldexpire....
The Complaint: Or, Night Thoughts.
... Where momentary ages are no more! Where time, and pain, and chance, and
death,expire!... All joys, but joys that never canexpire....
Howe -- the Redeemer's Tears Over Lost Souls
... Whereas therefore these things must concur to make up such a day; if either a man's
time, his life on earth,expire, or if light quite fail him, or if all...
On Eternity
... that portion of duration which commenced when the world began, which will continue
as long as this world endures, and thenexpire for ever?...
John xix. 16-18
... the ghost.". That is, "died." Yet toexpire does not come [2492] after the
bowing the head; but here, on the contrary, it doth. For...
In Troubles --
... Here it was that the king lay waiting for the truce with France toexpire.
The bishop arrived at the Rock castle in the morning of St....
Answer to Mr. W's Sixth Objection.
... (So the words must be understood, because, according to St. John, Lazarus did actually
expire and die of that sickness.) But for the glory of God....
Purity and Peace in the Present Lord
... leads not only the Philippians generally but Euodia and Syntyche in particular up
to a level where the self-will and self-assertion must, of themselves,expire...
The Caroline Settlement
... of Chancellor Hyde, where he bemoans the fact that Papists awl Puritans were both
computing in how few years the enfeebled Church of England wouldexpire....
On the Unutterable Heart-Rending Grief of the Pure Queen of Heaven...
... and how thou didst support thyself at the foot of the cross, when thou didst behold
thy tender Child, the beautiful and tender Wisdom, so lamentablyexpire....
Thesaurus
Expire (14 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) To give forth insensibly or gently, as a fluid or vapor; to emit in minute
particles; to exhale; as, the earth expires a damp vapor; plants
expire odors
...Ghost (123 Occurrences)
... idea. 4. (n.) A false image formed in a telescope by reflection from the
surfaces of one or more lenses. 5. (vi) To die; toexpire. 6...
Inspire (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To infuse by breathing, or as if by breathing. 3. (vt) To draw in by
the operation of breathing; to inhale; -- opposed toexpire....
Expired (29 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofExpire. Multi-Version Concordance
Expired (29 Occurrences). Matthew 27:50 Jesus, when he...
Gatherest (4 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Psalms 104:29 Thou hidest Thy face -- they are troubled,
Thou gatherest their spirit -- theyexpire, And unto their dust they turn back....
Fallen (233 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Acts 5:5 and Ananias hearing these words, having fallen down, didexpire,
and great fear came upon all who heard these things, (YLT)....
Two-thirds (2 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 13:8 And it hath come to pass, In all the land, an affirmation of Jehovah,
Two parts in it are cut off -- theyexpire, And the third is left in it....
Thirds (2 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 13:8 And it hath come to pass, In all the land, an affirmation of Jehovah,
Two parts in it are cut off -- theyexpire, And the third is left in it....
Teeming (18 Occurrences)
... Genesis 7:21 andexpire doth all flesh that is moving on the earth, among fowl,
and among cattle, and among beasts, and among all the teeming things which are...
Returneth (27 Occurrences)
... returneth to man His righteousness. (YLT). Job 34:15Expire doth all flesh
together, And man to dust returneth. (YLT). Psalms 35:13 And...
Resources
What is the New English Bible (NEB)? | GotQuestions.orgExpire: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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