Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadInternational Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Breath; Breathe; Breathing
Subjects in this Topic:
breth, breÌ„th, breÌ„th´ing: In the English Versions of the Bible of the Old Testament “breath†is the rendering of × ×©×מה, neshaÌ„maÌ„h, and of רוּח, ruÌ„aḥ̌. These words differ but slightly in meaning, both signifying primarily “wind,†then “breath,†though the former suggests a gentler blowing, the latter often a blast. As applied to persons there is no very clear distinction between the words. Yet in general one may say that of the two neshaÌ„maÌ„h is employed preferably of breath regarded physiologically: “vital breath,†hence, the vital principle, “Soul (animal) life†(compare ; ; , where both words occur; Isa 42:52; ); while ruÌ„ahÌ£ (though it, too, sometimes signifies “vital breathâ€) is the word generally employed where the breath is regarded physically - breath or blast as an act or force - and so is related to the will or the emotions, whence the meaning “spirit,†also sometimes “thought,†“purpose†(compare ; ; ; ; , , , , ). The examples cited, however, and other passages reveal a lack of uniformity of usage. Yet generally ruÌ„ahÌ£ is the expression, neshaÌ„maÌ„h, the principle, of life. Yet when employed of God they of course signify the principle, not of His own life, but of that imparted to His creatures. “Breathe†in English Versions of the Bible of the Old Testament requires no remark except at (“such as breathe out crueltyâ€), from yaÌ„phahÌ£, “to breathe hard,†“to snort†(compare ). In the New Testament “breath†(πνοηÌ, pnoeÌ„Ì) occurs once in the plain sense of vital principle, the gift of God. “Breathed†is employed in of our Lord's concrete symbolism of the giving of the Spirit. In Saul's “breathing threatening and slaughter†is literally “snorting,†etc., and the nouns are partitive genitives, being the element of which he breathed. See also SPIRIT.