The concept of "breathed" in the Bible is deeply significant, often symbolizing the life-giving power of God and His intimate involvement in creation and revelation. The term is most notably associated with the divine act of creation and the inspiration of Scripture.

Creation and the Breath of Life

In the account of creation, the act of God breathing life into man is a profound demonstration of His creative power and personal involvement. Genesis 2:7 states, "Then the LORD God formed the 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 highlights the unique relationship between God and humanity, as humans are not only formed by God's hands but also animated by His very breath. The breath of life signifies the impartation of a living soul, setting humans apart from the rest of creation.

The Breath of God in Scripture

The concept of "breathed" also extends to the inspiration of Scripture. In 2 Timothy 3:16 , it is written, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness." The term "God-breathed" (Greek: theopneustos) underscores the divine origin and authority of the Scriptures. It affirms that the Bible is not merely a collection of human writings but is inspired by God Himself, carrying His authority and truth.

The Breath of God in Prophecy and Revelation

Throughout the Bible, the breath of God is associated with His prophetic word and revelation. In Ezekiel 37, the vision of the valley of dry bones illustrates the power of God's breath to bring life and restoration. Ezekiel 37:9-10 records, "Then He said to me, 'Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and tell the breath that this is what the Lord GOD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, so that they may live!' So I prophesied as He had commanded me, and the breath entered them, and they came to life and stood on their feet—a vast army." This passage symbolizes the spiritual renewal and revival that comes through the Spirit of God.

The Breath of Jesus

In the New Testament, the breath of Jesus is depicted as a means of imparting the Holy Spirit. In John 20:22 , after His resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples and "breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" This act signifies the giving of the Holy Spirit, empowering the disciples for their mission and ministry. It reflects the continuity of God's life-giving breath from creation to the new creation in Christ.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of "breathed" emphasizes the intimate connection between God and His creation. It signifies life, inspiration, and empowerment. The breath of God is a metaphor for His Spirit, which brings life, understanding, and transformation. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His active presence in the world, sustaining and guiding His people through His Word and Spirit.(imp. & p. p.) of Breathe.2315. theopneustos -- God-breathed, ie inspired by God
... God-breathed, ie inspired by God. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration:
theopneustos Phonetic Spelling: (theh-op'-nyoo-stos) Short Definition: God-breathed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2315.htm - 8k

1634. ekpsucho -- to expire, breathe one's last
... Word Origin from ek and psucho Definition to expire, breathe one's last NASB Word
Usage breathed her last (1), breathed his last (1), died (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1634.htm - 6k

1720. emphusao -- to breathe into or upon
... 1720 (from 1722 , "in" and , "breathe, blow") -- properly, breathe (blow) in. 1720 ()
is only used in Jn 20:22 where Christ breathed into the apostles. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1720.htm - 7k

1606. ekpneo -- to breathe out, expire
... expire. Word Origin from ek and pneo Definition to breathe out, expire
NASB Word Usage breathed His last (3). give up the ghost. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1606.htm - 6k

5397. neshamah -- breath
... Word Origin from nasham Definition breath NASB Word Usage blast (2), breath (15),
breathes (1), life (1), persons alive (1), spirit (2), who breathed (3). ...
/hebrew/5397.htm - 6k

5301. naphach -- to breathe, blow
... root Definition to breathe, blow NASB Word Usage blow (3), blows (1), boiling (2),
breathe (1), breathed (1), breathing is labored* (1), disdainfully sniff (1 ...
/hebrew/5301.htm - 6k

5314. naphash -- to be refreshed
... A primitive root; to breathe; passively, to be breathed upon, ie (figuratively)
refreshed (as if by a current of air) -- (be) refresh selves (-ed). ...
/hebrew/5314.htm - 6k

1478. gava -- to expire, perish, die
... root Definition to expire, perish, die NASB Word Usage breathed his last (4), die
(5), died (2), expire (2), expires (1), perish (6), perished (4). ...
/hebrew/1478.htm - 6k

September 5. "He Breathed on Them" (John xx. 22).
... SEPTEMBER 5. "He breathed on them" (John xx. 22). "He breathed on them"
(John 20:22). The beautiful figure suggested by this passage ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /september 5 he breathed on.htm

God Breathed the Triune Spirit of the Holy Deity into a Body Taken ...
... [Way-3-41] God breathed the triune Spirit of the holy Deity into a body
taken out of? God breathed the triune Spirit of the holy ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-41 god breathed the triune.htm

The Voice that Breathed O'er Eden
... SACRAMENTS AND RITES Holy Matrimony 383. The voice that breathed o'er Eden.
7.6.7.6 ... Melchior Vulpius, c.1609. John Keble, 1857. The voice that breathed o'er ...
/.../holy matrimony 383 the voice.htm

Our Blest Redeemer, Ere He Breathed
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Whitsunday 199. Our blest Redeemer, ere He breathed.
8.6.8.4 [771]St. ... Our blest Redeemer, ere He breathed. His tender, last farewell,. ...
/.../whitsunday 199 our blest redeemer.htm

victor Apparently Gives the Creative Breath to Man Also.
... But if you meant no more than that the prophet breathed and remained entire, where
was the necessity for your saying that of Elisha, when raising the dead child ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 7 v victor apparently gives.htm

Whether the Production of the Human Body is Fittingly Described in ...
... Therefore, having said, "God made man of the slime of the earth," he should not
have added: "And He breathed into him the breath of life.". ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the production of the.htm

Other Incidents of the Passion Minutely Compared with Prophecy ...
... But the spirit could not have breathed itself out. That which breathes is
one thing, that which is breathed is another. If the spirit ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xlii other incidents of the.htm

The Creaturely Man.
... He adds: "The breath of the Almighty hath given me life"; which evidently echoes
the words: "The Lord God breathed into His nostrils the breath of life ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vii the creaturely man.htm

How we must Understand that Breathing of God by which "The First ...
... Some have hastily supposed from the words, "God breathed into Adam's nostrils the
breath of life, and man became a living soul, [624] " that a soul was not ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 24 how we must understand.htm

Scripture Alone Offers Clear Knowledge on the Questions we have ...
... Consider the wombs of the most sainted women instinct with the life within them,
and their babes which not only breathed therein, but were even endowed with ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xxvi scripture alone offers clear.htm

Breathed (16 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Breathed (16 Occurrences). ... John 20:22 When he had said
this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit! ...
/b/breathed.htm - 11k

God-breathed (1 Occurrence)
God-breathed. God, God-breathed. Goddess . Multi-Version Concordance
God-breathed (1 Occurrence). 2 Timothy 3:16 Every ...
/g/god-breathed.htm - 6k

Breathe (17 Occurrences)
... "Breathed" is employed in John 20:22 of our Lord's concrete symbolism of
the giving of the Spirit. ... There was no one left who breathed. ...
/b/breathe.htm - 15k

Breath (95 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/b/breath.htm - 38k

Breathing (25 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/b/breathing.htm - 17k

Inspiration (4 Occurrences)
... is true of all the "sacred writings," not in the sense of their being works of genius
or of supernatural insight, but as "theopneustic," ie, "breathed into by ...
/i/inspiration.htm - 57k

Nostrils (22 Occurrences)
...breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis
2:7; compare Genesis 7:22); "My life is yet whole in me, and the spirit ...
/n/nostrils.htm - 17k

Totally (27 Occurrences)
... He left none remaining, but he utterly destroyed all that breathed, as Yahweh, the
God of Israel, commanded. (See NIV). ... There was no one left who breathed. ...
/t/totally.htm - 14k

Sparing (17 Occurrences)
... them. There was no one left who breathed. He burnt Hazor with fire. (See
NIV). ... them. They didn't leave any who breathed. (See NIV). ...
/s/sparing.htm - 11k

Booty (32 Occurrences)
... Captives or cattle or objects of value taken in war. In Canaan all that breathed
were to be destroyed (Deuteronomy 20: 16). ... They didn't leave any who breathed. ...
/b/booty.htm - 18k

What does it mean that the Bible is God-breathed? | GotQuestions.org

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What does it mean that the Bible is inspired? | GotQuestions.org

Breathed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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