The term "Breath of Life" is a profound biblical concept that appears in the Scriptures, signifying the divine spark that animates living beings. It is closely associated with God's creative power and the life-giving force that sustains all creatures.

Creation and the Breath of Life

The concept of the "Breath of Life" is first introduced in the creation narrative of Genesis. In Genesis 2:7 , it is written: "Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." This passage highlights the intimate act of God breathing life into Adam, the first human, signifying that life itself is a gift from God and that human beings are uniquely endowed with His breath.

The Breath of Life in Animals

The "Breath of Life" is not limited to humanity alone. Genesis 7:15 describes the animals entering Noah's ark: "They came to Noah to enter the ark, two by two of every creature with the breath of life." This indicates that all living creatures possess this divine breath, underscoring the sanctity and interconnectedness of all life as part of God's creation.

The Breath of Life and the Spirit

The "Breath of Life" is often associated with the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who is active in creation and sustenance. In Job 33:4 , it is stated: "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life." This verse connects the breath of life with the Spirit of God, emphasizing that life is sustained by God's ongoing presence and power.

The Breath of Life and Mortality

The Scriptures also acknowledge the transient nature of life. In Ecclesiastes 12:7 , it is written: "Then the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." This reflects the belief that the breath of life, which originates from God, ultimately returns to Him upon death, highlighting the temporary nature of earthly existence and the eternal nature of the soul.

The Breath of Life in Prophecy

The prophetic vision in Ezekiel 37:5-6 provides a powerful image of the breath of life in the context of restoration and hope: "This is what the Lord GOD says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh grow upon you and cover you with skin. I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD." This vision of the valley of dry bones symbolizes the restoration of Israel and the renewal of life through God's Spirit.

The Breath of Life in the New Testament

In the New Testament, the concept of the breath of life is echoed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life. In John 20:22 , after His resurrection, Jesus breathes on His disciples and says, "Receive the Holy Spirit." This act signifies the impartation of new life and empowerment for the mission of the Church, reflecting the ongoing work of the Spirit in believers.

The "Breath of Life" is a central theme in the biblical narrative, representing God's life-giving power and His intimate involvement in creation. It serves as a reminder of the sacredness of life and the hope of eternal communion with God.Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
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Genesis 7:22
All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.
Nave's Topical Index

Acts 17:25
Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things;
Nave's Topical Index

5590. psuche -- breath, the soul
... Transliteration: psuche Phonetic Spelling: (psoo-khay') Short Definition: the soul,
life, self Definition: (a) the vital breath, breath of life, (b) the human ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5590.htm - 8k

4151. pneuma -- wind, spirit
... From pneo; a current of air, ie Breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or ... demon,
or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit -- ghost, life, spirit(-ual ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4151.htm - 8k

674. apopsucho -- to leave off breathing, ie faint
... I faint, breathe out life, die Definition: I faint, breathe out life, die, am ... from
the soul," ie become because of loss of breath; (figuratively) (become ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/674.htm - 7k

5396. nishmah -- breath
... 5395, 5396. nishmah. 5397 . breath. Transliteration: nishmah Phonetic
Spelling: (nish-maw') Short Definition: life-breath. Word ...
/hebrew/5396.htm - 6k

5315. nephesh -- a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire ...
... any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire, X (dis-)contented,
X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in ...
/hebrew/5315.htm - 7k

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). ...
/hebrew/5397.htm - 6k

7307. ruach -- breath, wind, spirit
... From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath, ie A sensible (or even violent) exhalation;
figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of ...
/hebrew/7307.htm - 6k

5301. naphach -- to breathe, blow
... blow, breath, give up, cause to lose life, seething, snuff. A primitive root;
to puff, in various applications (literally, to inflate ...
/hebrew/5301.htm - 6k

Of the Difference Between Life and Death; of the Breath of Life ...
... Against Heresies: Book V Chapter XII."Of the difference between life and death;
of the breath of life and the vivifying Spirit: also how it is that the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xii of the difference between.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

Inasmuch as Christ did Rise in Our Flesh, it Follows that we Shall ...
... Nay, for souls are incorporeal when put in comparison with mortal bodies; for God
"breathed into the face of man the breath of life, and man became a living ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter vii inasmuch as christ did.htm

The Creaturely Man.
... He adds: "The breath of the Almighty hath given me life"; which evidently echoes
the words: "The Lord God breathed into His nostrils the breath of life." ( ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vii the creaturely man.htm

At this Time He Received a Letter from Pope Boniface Exhorting Him ...
... For the very destruction and decay of these, which never had the breath of life
in them, nor could in any wise receive feeling from their makers, may plainly ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap x at this time.htm

On the Soul and Body and the Passion of the Lord.
... for, taking the dust from the ground, He formed man out of it, conformable to His
image and similitude, and into him He breathed the breath of life, so that ...
/.../v on the soul and body.htm

The Dry Bones and the Spirit of Life
... no vitality in them. Forms of worship may be punctiliously proper, and
have no breath of life in them. Religion must have a body ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the dry bones and the.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

The Prophets Enjoined Holiness of Life.
... And these the mass of foolish men serve, whilst they reject the maker and fashioner
of all things and the nourisher of all breath of life, giving credit to ...
/.../theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxxiv the prophets enjoined holiness.htm

The Book of Life
... Abstract doctrine of inspiration apart from life and experience is a very stifling
affair compared with inspiration conceived of as a breath of life. ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter ii the book of.htm

What is the history of crucifixion? What was crucifixion like? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37? | GotQuestions.org

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Breath: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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