Topical Encyclopedia Breathing is a fundamental physiological process that is essential for life, and it holds significant symbolic and theological meaning within the biblical narrative. In the Scriptures, breathing is often associated with the divine act of creation, the impartation of life, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.Creation and the Breath of Life The concept of breathing is first introduced in the creation account 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 highlights the intimate act of God breathing life into Adam, signifying that human life is a direct gift from God. The "breath of life" is not merely physical respiration but also represents the spiritual life and soul imparted by God. Breath as a Symbol of Life and Spirit Throughout the Bible, breath is often synonymous with life itself. 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 life-giving power of the Spirit. This connection between breath and spirit is further emphasized in the Hebrew word "ruach" and the Greek word "pneuma," both of which can mean "breath," "wind," or "spirit." The Breath of God and Prophecy The breath of God is also associated with the inspiration of Scripture and prophecy. In 2 Timothy 3:16 , it is stated, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness." The term "God-breathed" (theopneustos in Greek) underscores the divine origin and authority of the Scriptures, indicating that they are infused with the life and truth of God. Breath and the Holy Spirit In the New Testament, the breath of God is closely linked to the Holy Spirit. After His resurrection, Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:22). This act symbolizes the impartation of the Holy Spirit, empowering the disciples for their mission. The breath of Jesus here is a direct conveyance of spiritual life and power, echoing the creative breath of God in Genesis. Breath in Eschatological Context In eschatological passages, breath is associated with the final judgment and the restoration of life. In Ezekiel 37:9-10 , the prophet is commanded to prophesy to the breath, saying, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, so that they may live." This vision of the valley of dry bones symbolizes the future restoration of Israel and the resurrection of the dead, where the breath of God brings life to what was once lifeless. Human Dependence on God's Breath The Bible consistently portrays human life as dependent on the sustaining breath of God. In Acts 17:25 , Paul declares that God "Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else." This dependence underscores the sovereignty of God over life and the continual need for His sustaining presence. In summary, breathing in the biblical context is far more than a mere biological function; it is a profound symbol of life, spirit, and divine interaction with humanity. The breath of God is a powerful motif that signifies creation, inspiration, empowerment, and the hope of resurrection. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Breathe.2. (n.) Respiration; the act of inhaling and exhaling air. 3. (n.) Air in gentle motion. 4. (n.) Any gentle influence or operation; inspiration; as, the breathings of the Spirit. 5. (n.) Aspiration; secret prayer. 6. (n.) Exercising; promotion of respiration. 7. (n.) Utterance; communication or publicity by words. 8. (n.) Breathing place; vent. 9. (n.) Stop; pause; delay. 10. (n.) Also, in a wider sense, the sound caused by the friction of the outgoing breath in the throat, mouth, etc., when the glottis is wide open; aspiration; the sound expressed by the letter h. 11. (n.) A mark to indicate aspiration or its absence. See Rough breathing, Smooth breathing, below. 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 674. apopsucho -- to leave off breathing, ie faint ... to leave off breathing, ie faint. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apopsucho Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ops-oo'-kho) Short Definition: I faint, breathe out life ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/674.htm - 7k 2372. thumos -- passion 5259. hupo -- by, under 5590. psuche -- breath, the soul 5424. phren -- midriff, heart, mind, thought 1720. emphusao -- to breathe into or upon 1709. empneo -- to breathe (on), to inhale 4998. sophron -- of sound mind, self-controlled 3756. ou, ouk, ouch -- not, no Strong's Hebrew 4646. mappach -- a breathing out... 4645, 4646. mappach. 4647 . a breathing out. Transliteration: mappach Phonetic Spelling: (map-pawkh') Short Definition: last. Word ... /hebrew/4646.htm - 6k 3307. yapheach -- breathing or puffing out 7309. revachah -- respite, relief 5301. naphach -- to breathe, blow 639. aph -- a nostril, nose, face, anger 5315. nephesh -- a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire ... 5748. uggab -- (a reed musical instrument) perhaps a flute Library Breathing after the Holy Spirit; Or, Fervency of Devotion Desired. How we must Understand that Breathing of God by which "The First ... Breathing after the Holy Spirit; Or, Fervency of Devotion Desired. Psalm 90 Part 3 Breathing after Heaven. Psalm 119:12. Twelfth Part. Breathing after Comfort and ... Psalm 119:11. Eleventh Part. Breathing after Holiness. Psalm 119 Part 11 Breathing after Holiness. Psalm 119 Part 12 Breathing after Comfort and Deliverance. Examination of victor's Simile: Does Man Give Out Nothing by ... Fragment xxi. But He Does not Give, as Christ Did, by Means of ... Thesaurus Breathing (25 Occurrences)... 7. (n.) Utterance; communication or publicity by words. 8. (n.) Breathing place; vent. ... See Rough breathing, Smooth breathing, below. Int. ... /b/breathing.htm - 17k Breathing-space (1 Occurrence) Breathe (17 Occurrences) Inspire (3 Occurrences) Longsuffering (17 Occurrences) Forbear (24 Occurrences) Expiring (1 Occurrence) Expiration (1 Occurrence) Enemessar Breathless (1 Occurrence) Resources What is the moment of death according to the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Christian view of Tai Chi (TaiChi)? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about dragons? | GotQuestions.org Breathing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Breathing (25 Occurrences)John 20:22 Acts 9:1 Genesis 2:7 Deuteronomy 20:16 Joshua 11:11 Joshua 11:14 1 Kings 15:29 1 Kings 17:17 Job 11:20 Psalms 27:12 Proverbs 6:19 Proverbs 12:17 Proverbs 14:5 Isaiah 42:14 Jeremiah 2:24 Jeremiah 8:16 Jeremiah 15:9 Lamentations 1:4 Lamentations 1:8 Lamentations 1:11 Lamentations 1:19 Lamentations 3:56 Ezekiel 21:31 Ezekiel 22:21 Ezekiel 37:9 Subtopics Related Terms |
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