רוּחַ

Meaning:

Wind

Breath

Spirit

Noun. Occurs about 380 times in the Old Testament.

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.

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

Breath – the animating force in living beings (e.g., “the breath of life” in ).

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.