Bible Lexicons

χρή occurs in the NT only in Jas. 3:10 (but cf. Pro. 25:27, 4Ma. 8:26 A), where Hort (Comm. ad l.) notes that ";it is a somewhat vague word, apparently starting from the sense ‘there is need.’"; This is borne out by such exx. as the following—P Hib I. 64.19 (B.C. 264) χ ̣ρ ̣ὴ δὲ καὶ [γρά ]φειν μοι π ̣[ερ ]ι ̣, ὧν ἂν χρείαν ἔχ ̣η ̣ς, ";and you must write to me about anything which you require"; (Edd.), BGU III. 830.18 (i/A.D.) χρ ]ὴ οὖν ἑτοιμάσ [ε ]ιν (l. ἑτοιμάσαι) καὶ προαιρ [εῖν ], ἵν᾽ ἔχι (l. ἔχῃ) τοῦ π [ωλ ]εῖν, ";it is therefore necessary to prepare and bring forward, in order that he may be able to sell,"; P Flor III. 309.5 (iv/A.D.) οὐ χρὴ σ [ι ]ωπῇ παραδ ̣ίδοσθαι τὰ ὑπ᾽ αὐτῆς εἰρημένα, P Oxy I. 120.5 (iv/A.D.) χρὴ γάρ τινα ὁρῶντα αἱαυτὸν (l. ἑαυτὸν) ἐν δυστυχίᾳ κἂν ἀναχωρεῖν, ";when a man finds himself in adversity he ought to give way"; (Edd.), ib. VIII. 1163.5 (v/A.D.) ἐρωτηθὶς παρὰ τῆς αὐτοῦ μεγαλοπρεπίας ὅσα ἔχρην ἀνεδίδαξα α ̣υ ̣̓[τ ]ὸν ̣ περὶ τῆς ὑμετέρας μεγαλοπρεπίας, ";on the inquiry of his magnificence I told him what was fitting about your magnificence"; (Ed.). See also the Attic inscr. Preisigke 421.10 ( = LAE2, p. 367) χρή, τιμιώτατε, τὰς θεὰς (or θέας) κωμάζεσθαι, ";it is necessary, O most honourable, that the goddesses (or spectacles) be celebrated in festal procession.";