Breath of God
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The concept of the "Breath of God" is a profound and multifaceted theme found throughout the Bible, symbolizing God's life-giving power, His creative force, and His sustaining presence. The Hebrew word often translated as "breath" is "ruach," which can also mean "spirit" or "wind," and the Greek equivalent is "pneuma." These terms are used interchangeably in various contexts to convey the dynamic and life-sustaining nature of God's presence.

Creation and Life:

The Breath of God is first introduced in the creation narrative. 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." Here, the breath of God is depicted as the divine force that transforms lifeless matter into a living soul, underscoring the intimate connection between God and humanity.

Sustaining Power:

The Breath of God is not only a creative force but also a sustaining one. Job 33:4 states, "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life." This verse highlights the ongoing dependence of all living beings on God's breath for their existence and vitality. Similarly, in Psalm 104:29-30 , the psalmist acknowledges, "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."

Prophetic Inspiration:

The Breath of God is also associated with prophetic inspiration and revelation. In Ezekiel 37:9-10 , the prophet is commanded to prophesy to the breath: "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 illustrates the power of God's breath to bring spiritual and physical renewal, symbolizing the restoration of Israel.

The Holy Spirit:

In the New Testament, the Breath of God is closely associated with the Holy Spirit. In John 20:22 , after His resurrection, Jesus imparts the Holy Spirit to His disciples: "When He had said this, He breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" This act signifies the impartation of divine life and empowerment for the mission of the Church. The Holy Spirit, as the Breath of God, continues to be the source of spiritual life and guidance for believers.

Judgment and Power:

The Breath of God is also depicted as an instrument of judgment and divine power. In Isaiah 11:4 , it is prophesied concerning the Messiah, "He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips." This imagery conveys the authority and power of God's word, executed through His breath, to bring about justice and righteousness.

Throughout Scripture, the Breath of God is a symbol of His intimate involvement with creation, His sustaining presence, and His transformative power. It serves as a reminder of the life-giving and renewing work of God in the world and in the lives of His people.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Samuel 22:16
And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
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Job 4:9
By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
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Job 15:30
He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away.
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Job 33:4
The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life.
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Job 37:10
By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
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Psalm 18:15
Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
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Psalm 33:6
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
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Isaiah 30:33
For Tophet is ordained of old; yes, for the king it is prepared; he has made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, does kindle it.
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Greek
2315. theopneustos -- God-breathed, ie inspired by God
... believers" (C. Spicq, 2, 193). [ (2315 ) relates directly to God's (Gk )
which can also be translated "breath."]. 2 Tim 3:16: "Each ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2315.htm - 8k

5590. psuche -- breath, the soul
... The is the direct aftermath of God breathing (blowing) His gift of life into a ,
making them an . Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition breath, the soul ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5590.htm - 8k

4151. pneuma -- wind, spirit
... From pneo; a current of air, ie Breath (blast) or a breeze; by ... mental disposition,
etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4151.htm - 8k

Library

The Breath of God
... HYMNS THE BREATH OF GOD. "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest
the sound thereof.""John 3:8. G. Ter Steegen, 1769. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen and others second series/the breath of god.htm

Confirmation 380. Breathe on Me, Breath of God
... III. SACRAMENTS AND RITES Confirmation 380. Breathe on me, Breath of God. SM ... Edwin
Hatch, 1878. Breathe on me, Breath of God,. Fill me with life anew,. ...
/.../confirmation 380 breathe on me.htm

A Talk About the Breath of God.
... THE NEW TESTAMENT. CHAPTER XI. 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. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xi a talk about.htm

That There Is, Then, a Word of God, and a Breath of God...
... IV."Apologetic Works. Chapter V. That there is, then, a Word of God,
and a Breath of God? That there is, then, a Word of God ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter v that there is.htm

The Early Eden Picture.
... Man came into being by the breath of God. God breathed Himself into man.
The breath that God breathed out came into man as life. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the early eden picture.htm

Another Cavil Answered, IE , the Fall Imputable to God, Because ...
... pertains to God will be regarded as God, so that you would not maintain that His
afflatus was God, that is, exempt from fault, because it is the breath of God. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter ix another cavil answered i e.htm

How we are to Conform Ourselves to God's Will Signified unto us by ...
... But with regard to the breath of God, it not only warms, but also gives a perfect
light, his Spirit being an infinite light, whose vital breath is called ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter x how we are.htm

God Giving Himself.
... That breathing by God into man's nostrils of the breath of life suggests the
intensest concentration of strength and thought and heart. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/god giving himself.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 Creaturely Man.
... each performed a distinct work; and, lastly, that man's creation with reference
to his higher destiny was effected by a going forth of the breath of God. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vii the creaturely man.htm

Resources
Why did God make man out of the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the origin of man? | GotQuestions.org

Were fish and sea creatures also destroyed during the Flood (Genesis 6-8)? | GotQuestions.org

Breath: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Breath

Breath of God

Breath of Life

Breath: Figurative

Related Terms

Life-breath (1 Occurrence)

Breathe (17 Occurrences)

Breathing (25 Occurrences)

Nostrils (22 Occurrences)

Whisper (9 Occurrences)

Nose (23 Occurrences)

Ghost (123 Occurrences)

Gasp (5 Occurrences)

Expire (14 Occurrences)

Breathless (1 Occurrence)

Stifle (5 Occurrences)

Streams (80 Occurrences)

Blast (28 Occurrences)

Mere (56 Occurrences)

Mute (29 Occurrences)

Psychology

Rebuke (77 Occurrences)

Life (6001 Occurrences)

Creature (73 Occurrences)

Kindles (6 Occurrences)

Lighter (10 Occurrences)

Gold-worker (6 Occurrences)

Whistle (3 Occurrences)

Ice (20 Occurrences)

Inspire (3 Occurrences)

Fraud (15 Occurrences)

Founder (5 Occurrences)

Resigned (3 Occurrences)

Expiration (1 Occurrence)

Delusion (12 Occurrences)

Devoid (4 Occurrences)

Muscles (7 Occurrences)

Massed (6 Occurrences)

Beds (22 Occurrences)

Brutish (12 Occurrences)

Basilisk (3 Occurrences)

Balances (15 Occurrences)

Channels (10 Occurrences)

Abel (22 Occurrences)

Ablaze (19 Occurrences)

Exposed (39 Occurrences)

Stupid (20 Occurrences)

Sob (2 Occurrences)

Selah (76 Occurrences)

Sinews (7 Occurrences)

Refiner (10 Occurrences)

Goldsmith (6 Occurrences)

Wind (180 Occurrences)

Frost (9 Occurrences)

Breasts (39 Occurrences)

Inspiration (4 Occurrences)

Hiss (13 Occurrences)

Foundations (49 Occurrences)

Anthropology

Discovered (46 Occurrences)

Deceitful (46 Occurrences)

Chaff (24 Occurrences)

Weighed (44 Occurrences)

Living (3112 Occurrences)

Argument (45 Occurrences)

Estate (40 Occurrences)

Vanity (100 Occurrences)

Balance (12 Occurrences)

Degree (19 Occurrences)

Uncovered (78 Occurrences)

Holy (1097 Occurrences)

Torrent (49 Occurrences)

Soul (554 Occurrences)

Proved (49 Occurrences)

Soft (36 Occurrences)

Wasted (106 Occurrences)

Rushing (61 Occurrences)

Confounded (64 Occurrences)

Mother's (102 Occurrences)

Wherein (208 Occurrences)

Terrified (88 Occurrences)

Consume (136 Occurrences)

Rank (42 Occurrences)

Molten (41 Occurrences)

Breath as a Gift
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