The concept of "breath" in the Bible is deeply intertwined with the notions of life, spirit, and the divine presence. The act of breathing is not merely a physical function but is often depicted as a spiritual and life-giving force, originating from God Himself.

Creation and Life:

In the account of creation, the act of God breathing life into man is a foundational moment. Genesis 2:7 states, "Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." This passage highlights the intimate and direct involvement of God in imparting life to humanity, distinguishing humans from the rest of creation by the divine breath.

Spirit and Inspiration:

The Hebrew word for breath, "ruach," is also translated as "spirit" or "wind," indicating a connection between breath and the spiritual realm. In Job 33:4 , Elihu declares, "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life." Here, breath is synonymous with the Spirit of God, emphasizing that life itself is sustained by divine power.

Prophetic and Symbolic Uses:

Breath is also used symbolically in prophetic literature. In Ezekiel 37:9-10 , the vision of the valley of dry bones illustrates the restoration of Israel: "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 uses breath as a metaphor for revival and divine intervention, signifying hope and renewal.

Jesus and the Holy Spirit:

In the New Testament, the concept of breath is closely associated with the Holy Spirit. After His resurrection, Jesus imparts the Holy Spirit to His disciples through the act of breathing. John 20:22 records, "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 the mission ahead.

Judgment and Power:

Breath is also depicted as an instrument of divine judgment and power. In Isaiah 11:4 , the Messiah is described as executing judgment: "But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips." Here, breath symbolizes the authority and power of God's word in executing justice.

Human Dependence on God:

The Bible frequently reminds humanity of its dependence on God's breath for life. In Acts 17:25 , Paul speaks to the Athenians, saying, "Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else." This underscores the belief that every breath is a gift from God, reinforcing the idea of human reliance on the Creator.

Eternal Perspective:

Finally, the transient nature of human life is often contrasted with the eternal nature of God. In James 4:14 , life is described as a "mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." This imagery serves as a reminder of the brevity of life and the enduring nature of God's spirit and breath, which sustains all creation.

Throughout Scripture, the act of breathing is a profound symbol of life, spirit, and divine interaction with humanity, reflecting the intimate relationship between the Creator and His creation.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

Now, Whether this Awakened, New Man Breathes Forth his Faith and ...
... [Way-2-18] Now, whether this awakened, new man breathes forth his faith
and hope towards this divine? Now, whether this awakened ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-18 now whether this awakened.htm

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

Of the Union of the Blessed with God in the vision of the ...
... The Father breathes this love and so does the Son; but because the Father only breathes
this love by means of the same will and for the same goodness which is ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiii of the union.htm

How we are to Conform Ourselves to God's Will Signified unto us by ...
... breath of life, and man became a living soul, that is, a soul which gave life, motion
and operation to the body; and the same eternal God breathes and infuses ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter x how we are.htm

Paul's First Prayer
... At last I say, "He breathes! He breathes!" What pleasure there is in that
thought! He breathes; there is life still. So when we ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/pauls first prayer.htm

Letter xxvii. (AD 395. )
... read, it carries them away. Words cannot express how sweet is the savour
of Christ which your letter breathes. How strong is the ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xxvii a d 395.htm

Christ and Nicodemus.
... Most commentators have held that it means: "As the wind moves mysteriously, so does
the Spirit, and it breathes upon whom it will, effecting the inward change ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/christ and nicodemus.htm

Appendix i. Pseudepigraphic Writings
... [6316] Though somewhat Hellenisttic in its cast, the collection breathes ardent
Messianic expectancy, and firm faith in the resurrection, and eternal reward ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix i pseudepigraphic writings.htm

The Joy of the Lord
... And if, by the hopes it breathes into us, by the fears that it takes away from us,
by the union with God that it accomplishes for us, by the fellowship that it ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the joy of the lord.htm

A Strain of the Judgment of the Lord.
... Ever to be; soft is the wind, and breathes. Life-giving blasts; earth, fruitful
with a soil. ... It wears, such odour breathes. A tree it [1323] stands,. ...
/.../unknown/fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/4 a strain of the.htm

Breathes (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Breathes (6 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 20:16 But
of the cities of these peoples, that Yahweh your God gives ...
/b/breathes.htm - 7k

Breather (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who breathes. Hence: (a) One who
lives.(b) One who utters. (c) One who animates or inspires. ...
/b/breather.htm - 7k

Fish (66 Occurrences)
... It breathes by means of gills, and lives almost entirely in the water. See
Pisces. 5. (n.) The twelfth sign of the zodiac; Pisces. ...
/f/fish.htm - 38k

Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)
... enforce his utterances. But he touches our deepest emotions by the human
tenderness that breathes in all his words. Standing on ...
/d/deuteronomy.htm - 44k

Breatheth (8 Occurrences)

/b/breatheth.htm - 8k

Soul (554 Occurrences)
... In the first instance it meant that which breathes, and as such is distinguished
from basar, "flesh" (Isaiah 10:18 Deuteronomy 12:23); from she'er, "the inner ...
/s/soul.htm - 47k

Poetry
... rhetorical prose. Man is a rhythmic animal; he breathes rhythmically, and
his blood circulates-outward and inward-rhythmically. It ...
/p/poetry.htm - 48k

Amos (12 Occurrences)
... There is an aroma of the free air of the desert about his words; but the prophet
lives in an ampler ether and breathes a purer air; all things in Nature and on ...
/a/amos.htm - 44k

Subapostolic
... On the other hand, this epistle breathes much of the spirit, as it adopts in
considerable measure the phraseology and style of apostolic writings. ...
/s/subapostolic.htm - 38k

Sub-apostolic
... On the other hand, this epistle breathes much of the spirit, as it adopts in
considerable measure the phraseology and style of apostolic writings. ...
/s/sub-apostolic.htm - 38k

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