Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- hebrew:7307 [2025/10/20 09:16] – created graham
+++ hebrew:7307 [2025/10/20 11:25] (current) – [Grammatical Forms of רוּחַ in the Old Testament] graham
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== רוּחַ ======
+{{tag>hebrew}}
+~~NOTOC~~
 Meaning:
   * Wind
@@ Line 7: / Line 8: @@
 Noun. Occurs about 380 times in the Old Testament.
+Though usually feminine, רוּחַ sometimes takes masculine verbs and adjectives, especially when referring to the Spirit of God (רוּחַ יְהוָה).
+The plural רוּחוֹת often means winds rather than spirits.
 The word רוּחַ (ruach) is a richly layered term with several interconnected meanings depending on context. It is one of the most theologically significant words in Scripture.
@@ Line 12: / Line 17: @@
 The root idea is movement of air, which naturally extends into several related senses:
   * Wind – a literal breeze or storm (e.g., "wind of the sea" in <autott>exodus_10:13|Exodus 10:13</autott>
-  * Breath – the animating force in living beings (e.g., "the breath of life" in <autott>genesis_6:17|Genesis 6:17).
+  * Breath – the animating force in living beings (e.g., "the breath of life" in <autott>genesis_6:17|Genesis 6:17</autott>).
   * Spirit – an invisible, life-giving, and personal force—whether human, angelic, or divine
-So רוּחַ can refer to anything from a physical wind to the spiritual presence of God.
+So רוּחַ can refer to anything from a physical wind to the spiritual presence of God. The same Hebrew word thus bridges the natural and the supernatural—the air that moves the trees and the Spirit that moves hearts.
+It is frequently paired with God or Yahweh, that is, The Spirit of God (רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים) and Spirit of the Lord (רוּחַ יְהוָה) are commonly found the Old Testament.
+===== Human Beings and רוּחַ =====
+When applied to people, ruach refers to the inner life or disposition:
+  * <autott>genesis_41:8|Genesis 41:8</autott> - Pharaoh’s spirit was troubled
+  * <autott>proverbs_16:32|Proverbs 16:32</autott> - A person who controls his spirit is better than one who conquers a city
+  * <autott>ecclesiastes_12:7|Ecclesiastes 12:7</autott> - The spirit returns to God who gave it.
+Here, spirit represents the non-material aspect of humans, their emotions, thoughts, and will.
+===== God and רוּחַ =====
+The Spirit of the Lord (רוּחַ יְהוָה) is profoundly important:
+  * <autott>genesis_1:2|Genesis 1:2</autott> - "The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."
+  * The Spirit of the LORD empowers prophets, judges, and kings, e.g. <autott>judges_3:10|Judges 3:10</autott>
+  * In <autott>ezekiel_36:27|Ezekiel 36:27</autott> God promises, "I will put My Spirit within you."
+Here רוּחַ expresses God’s dynamic, personal presence and power - His life-giving energy that creates, inspires, and renews.
+===== Greek Connections - the LXX and New Testament =====
+In the Greek Septuagint, רוּחַ is usually translated as πνεῦμα, carrying the same range of meanings: wind, breath, spirit. This continuity explains why in the New Testament, πνεῦμα is used for both the Holy Spirit and human spirit.
+===== Theological Reflection =====
+The word רוּחַ testifies to the living God who breathes life into creation and into His people. Just as God’s רוּחַ gave life to Adam (<autott>genesis_2:7|Genesis 2:7</autott>), so His Spirit gives new life to believers ([[:Ezekiel 37|Ezekiel 37]] and <autott>john_3:8|John 3:8</autott>).
+It reminds us that God’s presence is both powerful and personal, unseen yet active. It moves like the wind, revives what is dead, and empowers those who trust in Him.
+===== Comparison between רוּחַ and נֶפֶשׁ - spirit and soul or life =====
+{{youtube>23NdU8dWKE4}}
+| Aspect | נֶפֶשׁ (*Soul / Life*) | רוּחַ (*Spirit / Breath*) |
+| **Root Meaning**  | "To breathe" or "to live"; connected with the *living being* itself | "To blow" or "to move air"; connected with *breath, wind,* or *animating force.* |
+| **Concrete Sense** | The *person as a living being*—life, appetite, or self | The *invisible vitality or power* that animates life; the immaterial “breath” that comes from God |
+| **Physical Connection**| Closely tied to *bodily life* and *blood* (e.g. *[[:Leviticus 17:11|Leviticus 17:11]]* — "the life [נֶפֶשׁ] of the flesh is in the blood") | More closely tied to *breath* and *air*—God’s life-giving power, distinct from material form |
+| **Emotional / Psychological Sense** | Describes the person’s desires, emotions, and individuality (e.g. *[[:Genesis 34:3|Genesis 34:3]]* - "his soul was drawn to Dinah") | Describes the person’s inner drive, will, or disposition (e.g. *[[:Proverbs 16:32|Proverbs 16:32]]* - "he who rules his spirit") |
+| **Divine Usage**  | Rarely applied directly to God; usually describes human or creaturely life | Frequently applied to God - "Spirit of God" or "Spirit of the LORD" - showing His active presence |
+| **At Death** | The life departs when the body dies - life as we know it ceases| The spirit/breath returns to God who gave it (*[[:Ecclesiastes 12:7|Ecclesiastes 12:7]]*)  |
+| **Greek Equivalent (LXX)** | ψυχή | πνεῦμα |
+| **New Testament Parallel** | The "soul" represents personhood and individuality  | The "spirit" represents the God-given life force or spiritual connection with God |
+In Biblical anthropology, both נֶפֶשׁ and רוּחַ are essential parts of human life, but they emphasize different dimensions:
+  * The word נֶפֶשׁ points to the whole living person - their emotions, appetites, and physical life. When Scripture says a "soul" is hungry or joyful, it refers to the person's lived experience in the body. In short, it is the the living self
+  * The word רוּחַ emphasizes the invisible breath that gives that self life and consciousness. It is what comes from God and returns to Him - the spiritual dimension that links humanity to the Creator. In short, it is the life-giving breath or spirit from God.
+Thus, in biblical thought, humanity is both נֶפֶשׁ (a living being) and animated by רוּחַ (the Spirit or breath of God).
+====== Grammatical Forms of רוּחַ in the Old Testament ======
+| Description  | Example (Reference)  | Form  |
+| **Absolute singular** — the basic dictionary form, "spirit," "wind," or "breath." | <autott>genesis_1:2|Genesis 1:2</autott> – "And the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." | רוּחַ  |
+| **Definite singular** — "the spirit," "the wind." Uses the article ha when specific | <autott>genesis_8:1|Genesis 8:1</autott> – "God made a wind pass over the earth." | הָרוּחַ |
+| **Construct singular** — "Spirit of God," "Spirit of the LORD." Expresses possession or relationship | Judges 3:10 – “The Spirit of the LORD came upon him." | רוּחַ יְהוָה |
+| **1st person singular suffix** — "my spirit" | Genesis 6:3 – "My Spirit shall not strive with man." | רוּחִי |
+| **2nd person masculine singular suffix** — "your spirit" | Psalm 51:13 (English 51:11) – "Take not Your Holy Spirit from me" | רוּחֲךָ |
+| **3rd person masculine singular suffix** — "his spirit" | Genesis 41:8 – "His spirit was troubled" | רוּחוֹ |
+| **3rd person feminine singular suffix** — "her spirit" | Isaiah 26:9 – "My spirit within me seeks You" | רוּחָהּ |
+| **Absolute plural** — "spirits," "winds." Usually natural, not divine | Psalm 148:8 – "Stormy winds fulfilling His word." | רוּחוֹת |
+| **Definite plural** — "the winds," "the spirits"  | Zechariah 6:5 – "These are the four winds of heaven." | רוּחוֹת הַשָּׁמַיִם |
+| **Plural with possessive suffixes** — "his/their spirits" | Psalm 104:4 – "He makes His messengers winds" | רוּחוֹתָיו / רוּחוֹתֵיהֶם |
+| **Prepositional forms** — with prefixes such as בְּ- (in), לְ- (to), מִ- (from)  | Ezekiel 37:9 – "Come, O wind/spirit." | בְּרוּחַ / לְרוּחַ / מִרוּחַ |