Topical Encyclopedia
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 LifeIn 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 ScriptureThe 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 RevelationThroughout 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 JesusIn 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 ImplicationsTheologically, 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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Breathe.
Greek
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...1634. ekpsucho -- to expire, breathe one's last
... Word Origin from ek and psucho Definition to expire, breathe one's last NASB Word
Usagebreathed her last (1),breathed his last (1), died (1)....
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 Christbreathed into the apostles....
1606. ekpneo -- to breathe out, expire
... expire. Word Origin from ek and pneo Definition to breathe out, expire
NASB Word Usagebreathed His last (3). give up the ghost....
Strong's Hebrew
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).
...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...
5314. naphash -- to be refreshed
... A primitive root; to breathe; passively, to bebreathed upon, ie (figuratively)
refreshed (as if by a current of air) -- (be) refresh selves (-ed)....
1478. gava -- to expire, perish, die
... root Definition to expire, perish, die NASB Word Usagebreathed his last (4), die
(5), died (2), expire (2), expires (1), perish (6), perished (4)....
Library
September 5. "HeBreathed on Them" (John xx. 22).
... SEPTEMBER 5. "Hebreathed on them" (John xx. 22). "Hebreathed on them"
(John 20:22). The beautiful figure suggested by this passage...
GodBreathed the Triune Spirit of the Holy Deity into a Body Taken...
... [Way-3-41] Godbreathed the triune Spirit of the holy Deity into a body
taken out of? Godbreathed the triune Spirit of the holy...
The Voice thatBreathed O'er Eden
... SACRAMENTS AND RITES Holy Matrimony 383. The voice thatbreathed o'er Eden.
7.6.7.6... Melchior Vulpius, c.1609. John Keble, 1857. The voice thatbreathed o'er...
Our Blest Redeemer, Ere HeBreathed
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Whitsunday 199. Our blest Redeemer, ere Hebreathed.
8.6.8.4 [771]St.... Our blest Redeemer, ere Hebreathed. His tender, last farewell,....
victor Apparently Gives the Creative Breath to Man Also.
... But if you meant no more than that the prophetbreathed and remained entire, where
was the necessity for your saying that of Elisha, when raising the dead child...
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 Hebreathed into him the breath of life."....
Other Incidents of the Passion Minutely Compared with Prophecy...
... But the spirit could not havebreathed itself out. That which breathes is
one thing, that which isbreathed is another. If the spirit...
The Creaturely Man.
... He adds: "The breath of the Almighty hath given me life"; which evidently echoes
the words: "The Lord Godbreathed into His nostrils the breath of life...
How we must Understand that Breathing of God by which "The First...
... Some have hastily supposed from the words, "Godbreathed into Adam's nostrils the
breath of life, and man became a living soul, [624] " that a soul was not...
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 onlybreathed therein, but were even endowed with...
Thesaurus
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!
...God-breathed (1 Occurrence)
God-breathed. God, God-breathed. Goddess . Multi-Version Concordance
God-breathed (1 Occurrence). 2 Timothy 3:16 Every...
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 whobreathed....
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...
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...
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...
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...
Totally (27 Occurrences)
... He left none remaining, but he utterly destroyed all thatbreathed, as Yahweh, the
God of Israel, commanded. (See NIV).... There was no one left whobreathed....
Sparing (17 Occurrences)
... them. There was no one left whobreathed. He burnt Hazor with fire. (See
NIV).... them. They didn't leave any whobreathed. (See NIV)....
Booty (32 Occurrences)
... Captives or cattle or objects of value taken in war. In Canaan all thatbreathed
were to be destroyed (Deuteronomy 20: 16).... They didn't leave any whobreathed....
Resources
What does it mean that the Bible is God-breathed? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the different theories of biblical inspiration? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the Bible is inspired? | GotQuestions.orgBreathed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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