Topical Bible: Life: Breath of

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The concept of "breath" as synonymous with life is a profound theme woven throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the intimate connection between the divine and human existence. In the Bible, the breath of life is often depicted as the vital force that animates living beings, a gift from God that signifies His sustaining power and presence.

Creation and the Breath of Life

The foundational narrative of the breath of life is found in the creation account in Genesis. In Genesis 2:7 , it is written, "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 unique act of God imparting life to humanity, distinguishing humans from the rest of creation. The breath of life is not merely a biological function but a divine endowment, signifying the spiritual and physical life given by God.

The Breath of Life in Other Creatures

The breath of life is not limited to humanity alone. Genesis 7:22 states, "Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died," referring to the creatures affected by the flood. This indicates that the breath of life is a universal principle for all living beings, underscoring the Creator's role in sustaining all life.

The Breath of God and the Spirit

The Hebrew word for breath, "ruach," is also translated as "spirit," reflecting the close relationship between God's breath and His Spirit. In Job 33:4 , Elihu declares, "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life." This verse emphasizes that life is a direct result of God's Spirit, reinforcing the idea that human existence is dependent on divine sustenance.

The Temporary Nature of Life

The Scriptures also remind us of the transient nature of life, as seen in passages like Psalm 104:29-30 : "When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust. When You send Your Spirit, they are created, and You renew the face of the earth." Here, the withdrawal of God's breath results in death, while His Spirit brings renewal and creation, illustrating the cyclical nature of life and the dependence on God's continual provision.

The Breath of Life and Resurrection

The breath of life is also a symbol of hope and resurrection. In Ezekiel 37:5-6 , God promises to revive the dry bones of Israel: "This is what the Lord GOD says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh grow upon you and cover you with skin. I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD." This prophetic vision signifies not only the physical restoration of Israel but also the spiritual revival that God promises to His people.

The Breath of Life in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the breath of life is further illuminated through the person and work of Jesus Christ. In John 20:22 , after His resurrection, Jesus breathes on His disciples and says, "Receive the Holy Spirit." This act signifies the impartation of new life and empowerment for the mission ahead, echoing the creation narrative where God breathes life into Adam.

The breath of life, as presented in the Bible, is a profound testament to God's intimate involvement in creation, His sustaining power, and His promise of renewal and eternal life through His Spirit.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek

5590. psuche -- breath, the soul
... Transliteration: psuche Phonetic Spelling: (psoo-khay') Short Definition: the soul,
life, self Definition: (a) the vital breath, breath of life, (b) the human ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5590.htm - 8k

4151. pneuma -- wind, spirit
... From pneo; a current of air, ie Breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or ... demon,
or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit -- ghost, life, spirit(-ual ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4151.htm - 8k

674. apopsucho -- to leave off breathing, ie faint
... I faint, breathe out life, die Definition: I faint, breathe out life, die, am ... from
the soul," ie become because of loss of breath; (figuratively) (become ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/674.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

5396. nishmah -- breath
... 5395, 5396. nishmah. 5397 . breath. Transliteration: nishmah Phonetic
Spelling: (nish-maw') Short Definition: life-breath. Word ...
/hebrew/5396.htm - 6k

5315. nephesh -- a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire ...
... any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire, X (dis-)contented,
X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in ...
/hebrew/5315.htm - 7k

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

7307. ruach -- breath, wind, spirit
... From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath, ie A sensible (or even violent) exhalation;
figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of ...
/hebrew/7307.htm - 6k

5301. naphach -- to breathe, blow
... blow, breath, give up, cause to lose life, seething, snuff. A primitive root;
to puff, in various applications (literally, to inflate ...
/hebrew/5301.htm - 6k

Library

God Giving Himself.
... Himself. He breathed into man His own life-breath. He ... and heart. The whole heart
of God went out to man in that breath that brought life. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/god giving himself.htm

Of the Difference Between Life and Death; of the Breath of Life ...
... Against Heresies: Book V Chapter XII."Of the difference between life and death;
of the breath of life and the vivifying Spirit: also how it is that the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xii of the difference between.htm

For the Soul of Every Man is the Breath and Life of the Triune God ...
... [Way-1-7] For the soul of every man is the breath and life of the triune
God? For the soul of every man is the breath and life ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-1-7 for the soul of.htm

The Dry Bones and the Spirit of Life
... no vitality in them. Forms of worship may be punctiliously proper, and
have no breath of life in them. Religion must have a body ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the dry bones and the.htm

Death to Self is the Way Out into a Life of Sacrifice.
... is a holding back now. "Love is the fulfilling of the law," and sacrifice
is the very life-breath of love. May God shew us every ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the cross/death to self is the.htm

A Talk About the Breath of God.
... Nicodemus found out that life was the breath of God in man, and that by
it man lives. Perhaps he felt it within him as he went down ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xi a talk about.htm

The Sucker from the Felled Oak
... respectful consideration, it means, 'He shall draw His breath in the fear of Jehovah';
that is, that that fear has become, as it were, His very life-breath. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the sucker from the felled.htm

The Principle of Life in the Creature.
... of magnetism! But life underlies all. Even through the apparently dead
trunk sighs an imperceptible breath. From the unfathomable ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/v the principle of life.htm

The Prophets Enjoined Holiness of Life.
... And these the mass of foolish men serve, whilst they reject the maker and fashioner
of all things and the nourisher of all breath of life, giving credit to ...
/.../theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxxiv the prophets enjoined holiness.htm

Inasmuch as Christ did Rise in Our Flesh, it Follows that we Shall ...
... Nay, for souls are incorporeal when put in comparison with mortal bodies; for God
"breathed into the face of man the breath of life, and man became a living ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter vii inasmuch as christ did.htm