Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Significance:The act of breathing is a fundamental biological process essential for life, involving the inhalation and exhalation of air. In the biblical context, breathing holds profound spiritual and symbolic significance, often associated with life, the presence of God, and the impartation of the Holy Spirit. Biblical References: 1. Creation and Life: The concept of breath is intricately linked to the creation narrative in Genesis. In Genesis 2:7 , it is written, "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 passage underscores the divine origin of life, highlighting that human life is a direct result of God's breath, symbolizing His life-giving power and intimate involvement in creation. 2. The Breath of God: The breath of God is often depicted as a powerful force. In Job 33:4 , Elihu declares, "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life." Here, the breath of God is equated with the Spirit, emphasizing its role in creation and sustenance of life. Similarly, in Psalm 33:6 , "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth," the breath of God is portrayed as a creative force, instrumental in the formation of the universe. 3. The Holy Spirit: In the New Testament, the breath of God is closely associated with the Holy Spirit. In John 20:22 , after His resurrection, Jesus imparts the Holy Spirit to His disciples: "When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" This act signifies the impartation of spiritual life and empowerment for ministry, echoing the creation account where God's breath brings life. 4. Life and Death: Breath is also a metaphor for life itself, and its absence signifies death. In Ecclesiastes 12:7 , it is stated, "Then the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." This reflects the belief that life is sustained by God's breath, and upon death, the breath or spirit returns to Him. 5. Prophetic Imagery: The vision of the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37:5-10 vividly illustrates the life-giving power of God's breath. God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, saying, "This is what the Lord GOD says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will come to life." The subsequent revival of the bones into a living army symbolizes the restoration and renewal that comes through God's Spirit. Theological Implications: Breath, as depicted in the Bible, is not merely a physical necessity but a profound theological symbol. It represents the life-giving and sustaining power of God, the intimate relationship between the Creator and His creation, and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. The act of breathing, therefore, serves as a constant reminder of humanity's dependence on God for both physical and spiritual life. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. i.) To respire; to inhale and exhale air; hence;, to live.2. (v. i.) To take breath; to rest from action. 3. (v. i.) To pass like breath; noiselessly or gently; to exhale; to emanate; to blow gently. 4. (v. t.) To inhale and exhale in the process of respiration; to respire. 5. (v. t.) To inject by breathing; to infuse; -- with into. 6. (v. t.) To emit or utter by the breath; to utter softly; to whisper; as, to breathe a vow. 7. (v. t.) To exhale; to emit, as breath; as, the flowers breathe odors or perfumes. 8. (v. t.) To express; to manifest; to give forth. 9. (v. t.) To act upon by the breath; to cause to sound by breathing. 10. (v. t.) To promote free respiration in; to exercise. 11. (v. t.) To suffer to take breath, or recover the natural breathing; to rest; as, to breathe a horse. 12. (v. t.) To put out of breath; to exhaust. 13. (v. t.) To utter without vocality, as the nonvocal consonants. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BREATH; BREATHE; BREATHINGbreth, breth, breath'-ing: In the English Versions of the Bible of the Old Testament "breath" is the rendering of neshamah, and of ruach. 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 neshamah is employed preferably of breath regarded physiologically: "vital breath," hence, the vital principle, "Soul (animal) life" (compare Genesis 2:7; Genesis 7:22 Job 27:3, where both words occur; Da 5:23); while ruach (though it, too, sometimes signifies "vital breath") 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 Job 4:9; Job 9:18 Psalm 18:15; Psalm 146:4 Ezekiel 37:5, 6, 8, 9, 10). The examples cited, however, and other passages reveal a lack of uniformity of usage. Yet generally ruach is the expression, neshamah, 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 Psalm 27:12 ("such as breathe out cruelty"), from yaphach, "to breathe hard," "to snort" (compare Acts 9:1). In the New Testament "breath" (pnoe) occurs once Acts 17:25 in the plain sense of vital principle, the gift of God. "Breathed" is employed in John 20:22 of our Lord's concrete symbolism of the giving of the Spirit. In Acts 9:1 Saul's "breathing threatening and slaughter" is literally "snorting," etc., and the nouns are partitive genitives, being the element of which he breathed. Greek 1720. emphusao -- to breathe into or upon ... to breathe into or upon. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: emphusao Phonetic Spelling: (em-foo-sah'-o) Short Definition: I breathe into, breathe upon ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1720.htm - 7k 1709. empneo -- to breathe (on), to inhale 1606. ekpneo -- to breathe out, expire 5594. psucho -- to breathe, blow, to make cool 1634. ekpsucho -- to expire, breathe one's last 674. apopsucho -- to leave off breathing, ie faint 109. aer -- air 4154. pneo -- to blow 5590. psuche -- breath, the soul 2315. theopneustos -- God-breathed, ie inspired by God Strong's Hebrew 3306. yaphach -- to breathe, puff... 3305, 3306. yaphach. 3307 . to breathe, puff. Transliteration: yaphach Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-fakh') Short Definition: breath. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/3306.htm - 5k 5301. naphach -- to breathe, blow 6315. puach -- to breathe, blow 3307. yapheach -- breathing or puffing out 1933. hava' -- to fall 3857. lahat -- to blaze up, flame 5162. nacham -- to be sorry, console oneself 659. epha -- of nothing 5314. naphash -- to be refreshed 1478. gava -- to expire, perish, die Library Confirmation 380. Breathe on Me, Breath of God Savior, Breathe an Evening Blessing How could the Incorporeal God Breathe Out of Himself a Corporeal ... The Simple Nature of the Soul is Asserted with Plato. The Identity ... Spirit --A Term Expressive of an Operation of the Soul, not of Its ... Of the Union of the Blessed with God in the vision of the ... The Passages of Scripture Above Cited are Taken as an Occasion for ... Celsus Afterwards States what is Adduced by Jews and Christians ... The Doctrine of the Scriptures. Prayers and Praise from a Pure Mind, Ceaselessly Offered, Far ... Thesaurus Breathe (17 Occurrences)... 6. (vt) To emit or utter by the breath; to utter softly; to whisper; as, to breathe a vow. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BREATH; BREATHE; BREATHING. ... /b/breathe.htm - 15k Breathing (25 Occurrences) Breath (95 Occurrences) Ghost (123 Occurrences) Inspire (3 Occurrences) Expire (14 Occurrences) Pant (8 Occurrences) Puff (1 Occurrence) Breathes (6 Occurrences) Breathed (16 Occurrences) Resources What does it mean to pray without ceasing? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the history of crucifixion? What was crucifixion like? | GotQuestions.org What is The Infinite Way? | GotQuestions.org Breathe: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Breathe (17 Occurrences)Joshua 10:40 Joshua 11:11 Joshua 11:14 Job 11:20 Job 31:39 Psalms 12:5 Psalms 27:12 Psalms 57:4 Psalms 150:6 Proverbs 6:19 Song of Songs 2:17 Song of Songs 4:6 Song of Songs 4:16 Jeremiah 15:9 Ezekiel 21:31 Ezekiel 37:9 Daniel 10:17 Subtopics Related Terms |
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