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 LifeThe 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 SpiritThroughout 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 ProphecyThe 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 SpiritIn 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 ContextIn 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 BreathThe 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" (compareGenesis 2:7;Genesis 7:22Job 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" (compareJob 4:9;Job 9:18Psalm 18:15;Psalm 146:4Ezekiel 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 atPsalm 27:12 ("such as breathe out cruelty"), from yaphach, "to breathe hard," "to snort" (compareActs 9:1). In the New Testament "breath" (pnoe) occurs onceActs 17:25 in the plain sense of vital principle, the gift of God. "Breathed" is employed inJohn 20:22 of our Lord's concrete symbolism of the giving of the Spirit. InActs 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.
See alsoSPIRIT.
J. R. Van Pelt
Greek
674. apopsucho -- to leave offbreathing, 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
...2372. thumos -- passion
... 2372 (from , ", getting heated up,breathing violently," cf.... From thuo; passion
(as ifbreathing hard) -- fierceness, indignation, wrath. Compare psuche....
5259. hupo -- by, under
... subordinate ( someone/something else). [5259 (), before a smoothbreathing mark
becomes .]. Word Origin a prim. preposition Definition by...
5590. psuche -- breath, the soul
... 5590 () corresponds exactly to the OT 5315 ("soul"). The is the direct aftermath
of Godbreathing (blowing) His gift of life into a , making them an ....
5424. phren -- midriff, heart, mind, thought
... outward behavior. See 5429 (). [5424 () is the root of the English term,
"diaphragm," whichbreathing.]. Word Origin a prim. word...
1720. emphusao -- to breathe into or upon
... apostles. By "breathing in ," 1720 () "the promise of the Father," fulfilled
on the Day of Pentecost (Lk 24:49; Ac 1:4; Ac 2:1f)....
1709. empneo -- to breathe (on), to inhale
... into, inhale. Word Origin from en and pneo Definition to breathe (on),
to inhale NASB Word Usagebreathing (1). breathe. From en...
4998. sophron -- of sound mind, self-controlled
... balance. [The root () is the root of "," the inner organ (muscle) that regulates
physical life, controllingbreathing and heart beat....
3756. ou, ouk, ouch -- not, no
... 3756 -- ("not"). 3756 () negates a statement, " as .". [3756 () is written before
smooth breathings and before a roughbreathing.]. Word Origin a prim....
Strong's Hebrew
4646. mappach -- abreathing out... 4645, 4646. mappach. 4647 . a
breathing out. Transliteration: mappach
Phonetic Spelling: (map-pawkh') Short Definition: last. Word
...3307. yapheach --breathing or puffing out
... 3306, 3307. yapheach. 3308 .breathing or puffing out. Transliteration: yapheach
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-fay'-akh) Short Definition: breathe....
7309. revachah -- respite, relief
... Word Origin from ravach Definition respite, relief NASB Word Usage relief (2).
breathing, respite. Feminine of revach; relief --breathing, respite....
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...
639. aph -- a nostril, nose, face, anger
... From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a
person; also (from the rapidbreathing in passion) ire -- anger(-gry), + before...
5315. nephesh -- a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire...
... From naphash; properly, abreathing creature, ie Animal of (abstractly) vitality;
used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or...
5748. uggab -- (a reed musical instrument) perhaps a flute
... organ. Or buggab {oog-gawb'}; from agab in the original sense ofbreathing; a
reed-instrument of music -- organ. see HEBREW agab. 5747, 5748....
Library
Breathing after the Holy Spirit; Or, Fervency of Devotion Desired.
... Hymns. Book 2. Composed on Divine Subjects. Hymn 2:34.Breathing after
the Holy Spirit; or, Fervency of devotion desired. 1 Come...
How we must Understand thatBreathing of God by which "The First...
... Chapter 24."How We Must Understand thatBreathing of God by Which "The First Man
Was Made a Living Soul," And that Also by Which the Lord Conveyed His Spirit...
Breathing after the Holy Spirit; Or, Fervency of Devotion Desired.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 84Breathing after the Holy Spirit; or, Fervency of devotion
desired. CMBreathing after the Holy Spirit; or, Fervency of devotion desired....
Psalm 90 Part 3Breathing after Heaven.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 90 PART 3Breathing after heaven. v.13ff CM.Breathing
after heaven. Return, O God of love, return; Earth is a tiresome place:...
Psalm 119:12. Twelfth Part.Breathing after Comfort and...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 119:12. Twelfth Part.Breathing after
comfort and deliverance. Ver.153. 1 My God, consider...
Psalm 119:11. Eleventh Part.Breathing after Holiness.
... Psalm 119:11. Eleventh Part.Breathing after holiness. Ver.5 33. 1 O that
the Lord would guide my ways To keep his statutes still!...
Psalm 119 Part 11Breathing after Holiness.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 119 PART 11Breathing after holiness. CMBreathing after
holiness. ver.5,33. ver.29. ver.37,36. ver.133. ver.176. ver.35....
Psalm 119 Part 12Breathing after Comfort and Deliverance.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 119 PART 12Breathing after comfort and deliverance. CM
Breathing after comfort and deliverance. ver.153. ver.39,116. ver.122,135....
Examination of victor's Simile: Does Man Give Out Nothing by...
... Book III. Chapter 5."Examination of Victor's Simile: Does Man Give Out
Nothing byBreathing? Prove now yourself what I say, for...
Fragment xxi. But He Does not Give, as Christ Did, by Means of...
... Fragment XXI. But he does not give, as Christ did, by means ofbreathing?
But he does not give, as Christ did, by means ofbreathing...
Thesaurus
Breathing (25 Occurrences)... 7. (n.) Utterance; communication or publicity by words. 8. (n.)
Breathing place;
vent.
... See Rough
breathing, Smooth
breathing, below. Int.
...Breathing-space (1 Occurrence)
Breathing-space.Breathing,Breathing-space. Breathless .
Multi-Version ConcordanceBreathing-space (1 Occurrence)....
Breathe (17 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To inject bybreathing; to infuse; -- with into.... 9. (vt) To act
upon by the breath; to cause to sound bybreathing. 10....
Inspire (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To infuse bybreathing, or as if bybreathing. 3. (vt) To draw in by
the operation ofbreathing; to inhale; -- opposed to expire....
Longsuffering (17 Occurrences)
... long-suf'-er-ing ('erekh 'appayim; makrothumia): The words 'erekh 'appayim, translated
longsuffering, mean literally, "long of nose" (or "breathing"), and, as...
Forbear (24 Occurrences)
... to deliver," the King James Version "if thou forbear to deliver"; Nehemiah 9:30
(mashakh), "bear" instead of "forbear"; 'aph literally, "breathing," the "nose...
Expiring (1 Occurrence)
... n.) of Expire. 2. (a.)Breathing out air from the lungs; emitting fluid or volatile
matter; exhaling;breathing the last breath; dying; ending; terminating....
Expiration (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) The act or process ofbreathing out, or forcing air from the lungs through
the nose or mouth; as, respiration consists of inspiration and expiration...
Enemessar
... Dr. Pinches takes Enemessar for Senemessar, the "sh" being changed to "s" and then
to the smoothbreathing, though the roughbreathing more commonly takes the...
Breathless (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Notbreathing; holding the breath, on account of fear, expectation, or intense
interest; attended with a holding of the breath; as, breathless attention...
Resources
What is the moment of death according to the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Christian view of Tai Chi (TaiChi)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about dragons? | GotQuestions.orgBreathing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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