Breath
Holman Bible Dictionary [1]
neshamah ruach Ruach
The term neshamah is often used with reference to God's breath. It identifies God as the source of life ( Genesis 2:7; Job 27:3; Job 33:4; Daniel 5:23 ).
God is also the sovereign of life. He gave breath to humans initially in creation ( Genesis 2:7 ), but He also takes breath away eventually at death ( Genesis 7:22; Job 34:14 ). God has the power to restore life to the dead if He wishes to do so ( Ezekiel 37:9 ). He controls nature and the weather by His breath ( Job 37:9-10 ). More important is the impact of God's breath on national life, for He can breathe anger and judgment on threatening enemies bringing festive joy to God's people ( Isaiah 30:33; compare Job 41:21 ).
Neshamah is used several times to refer to human breath. It identifies breath as fragile during the times of God's wrath and in natural calamities ( Isaiah 2:21-22 ). Breath can become weak ( Daniel 10:17 ); it is limited ( Genesis 7:22; 1 Kings 17:17 ). Breath may be taken from a person, thus the experience of death ( Joshua 11:11 ).
Breath ( neshamah ) refers to all living creatures. Those who breathe are expected to be responsive to God by offering Him praise ( Psalm 150:6 ). Ultimately, they are responsible to God because He has the right to demand that they be put to death ( Deuteronomy 20:16; Joshua 10:40 ).
Ruach describes the more intensified aspects of breath. It refers to God providing human life in the same manner as neshamah ( Genesis 6:17 ). By breathing out speech, He created the heavens ( Psalm 33:6 ). His breath also sustains life ( Job 12:10; Psalm 104:29 ). By His breath He even restores life ( Ezekiel 37:5-10 ). Repeatedly in Ezekiel 37:5-10 the term ruach occurs in word plays on its meanings as breaths wind, and spirit. It is used to affirm the possibility of giving life to the dry bones.
In a unique way, ruach is used to demonstrate how God monitors life. Breath is regarded as a sign of life ( Genesis 7:15 ). It is also an indication that God is always watching our lives ( Job 9:18 ). This became frustrating to Job because he wanted to be free from the pressure of knowing that God knew everything about him. God even knew the strained relationship between Job and his wife who came to detest Job's breath ( Job 19:17 ).
Ruach describes God as threatening judgment. God breathed judgment on David's enemies ( 2 Samuel 22:14-18 ). As a rule, God's judgment was breathed through the experience of natural calamities ( Psalm 18:15 ), expressing His anger ( Isaiah 11:4; Job 4:9 ).
The New Testament contains a few references to breath as the life principle which God gives ( Acts 17:25 ) and as the mighty wind at Pentecost ( Acts 2:2 ). Acts 9:1 uses breath to express Saul's anger as a breathing of threats against the early Christians. In John 20:22 Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon His disciples. While the word pneuma parallels ruach in the Old Testament in its multiple meanings, it is translated primarily as spirit or Holy Spirit. In Revelation 13:15 it refers to the power to breathe life into the image of the beast. See Spirit; Life .
Donald R. Potts
Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types [2]
2 Samuel 22:16 (a) The wrath of GOD is compared to His breath. No special effort is required to breathe. Wrath is a natural attribute of GOD which is continually manifested against sin and sinners. In anger the breath comes strong and vigorous. (See also Job 4:9; Psalm 18:15).
Isaiah 11:4 (b) The wrath of GOD is executed by the Holy Spirit. (See also Isaiah 40:7).
Isaiah 30:28, Isaiah 30:33 (b) The Holy Spirit is compared in these passages to a river. He is constantly operating. He is always in the divine channel. He is always bringing the purpose and plans of GOD into human hearts. (See also Ezekiel 47:5; John 7:38).
Isaiah 33:11 (a) Israel will destroy themselves by the way they live. Their sins and their daily activities will bring destruction upon them. (See this thought also in Hosea 13:9).
Ezekiel 37:9 (a) The breath also in this place is a type of the Holy Spirit. Breath is often associated with this Person, as when Jesus breathed on them and said, "Receive ye the Holy Spirit." (See also Job 33:4; Job 37:10; Job 41:21; Psalm 33:6).
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): (n.) Fig.: That which gives or strengthens life.
(2): (n.) The power of respiration, and hence, life.
(3): (n.) Time to breathe; respite; pause.
(4): (n.) Fragrance; exhalation; odor; perfume.
(5): (n.) Gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration.
(6): (n.) A single respiration, or the time of making it; a single act; an instant.
(7): (n.) A very slight breeze; air in gentle motion.
(8): (n.) The act of breathing naturally or freely; the power or capacity to breathe freely; as, I am out of breath.
(9): (n.) A single word; the slightest effort; a trifle.
(10): (n.) The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration; air which, in the process of respiration, has parted with oxygen and has received carbonic acid, aqueous vapor, warmth, etc.
King James Dictionary [4]
BREATH, n. breth.
1. The air inhaled and expelled in the respiration of animals. 2. Life.
No man has more contempt than I of breath.
3. The state or power of breathing freely opposed to a state of exhaustion from violent action as, I am out of breath I am scarce in breath. 4. Respite pause time to breathe as,let me take breath give me some breath. 5. Breeze aid in gentle motion.
Calm and unruffled as a summer's sea,
When not a breath of wind flies o'er its surface.
6. A single respiration as, he swears at every breath. 7. An instant the time of a single respiration a single act.
He smiles and he frowns in a breath.
8. A word.
A breath can make them, as a breath has made.
Vine's Expository Dictionary of OT Words [5]
Hebel ( הֲבֵל , Strong'S #1892), “breath; vanity; idol.” Cognates of this noun occur in Syriac, late Aramaic, and Arabic. All but 4 of its 72 occurrences are in poetry (37 in Ecclesiastes). First, the word represents human “breath” as a transitory thing: “I loathe it; I would not live always: let me alone; for my days are vanity [literally, but a breath]” (Job 7:16). Second, hebel means something meaningless and purposeless: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity” (Eccl. 1:2). Third, this word signifies an “idol,” which is unsubstantial, worthless, and vain: “They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities …” (Deut. 32:21—the first occurrence).
Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary [6]
This word is sometimes made use of in Scripture in allusion to the Lord Jesus Christ. For as the breath of the body is the life of the body, so Christ is the breath or life of the soul. Hence, the prophet Jeremiah, in reference to Christ, saith, "the breath of our nostrils, the Anointed of the Lord was taken in their pits." ( Lamentations 4:20) And hence, when the Lord Jesus, after his resurrection, imparted to his disciples the gracious influences of his Spirit, it is said, that "he breathed on them, and said, Receive ye the Holy Ghost." ( John 20:22)
