Jump to: ATS • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the "soul" is a fundamental aspect of biblical anthropology and theology, representing the immaterial essence of a human being. In the Scriptures, the soul is often associated with life, personality, and the inner self, distinct from the physical body yet intricately connected to it.Old Testament Understanding In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word most commonly translated as "soul" is nephesh. This term appears in various contexts, often denoting life or the living being. For instance, Genesis 2:7 states, "Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being" . Here, nephesh is used to describe the life principle imparted by God, indicating that the soul is the life force within a person. The soul is also portrayed as the seat of emotions and desires. In passages like Psalm 42:1-2, the psalmist expresses a deep longing for God: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God" . This illustrates the soul's capacity for spiritual yearning and connection with the divine. New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, the Greek word psyche is used to convey the concept of the soul. The New Testament expands on the Old Testament understanding by emphasizing the soul's eternal nature and its significance in salvation. Jesus teaches about the value of the soul in Matthew 16:26: "What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" . This underscores the soul's immeasurable worth compared to worldly possessions. The soul is also central to the Great Commandment, where Jesus instructs believers to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). This command highlights the soul's role in devotion and worship, reflecting the totality of one's being in relationship with God. The Soul and Salvation The New Testament further elaborates on the soul's role in salvation and eternal life. In 1 Peter 1:9, believers are encouraged by the promise of "the salvation of your souls" , indicating that the soul is the recipient of God's redemptive work through Christ. The soul's eternal destiny is a central theme, with the assurance of eternal life for those who believe in Jesus Christ. The Soul in Christian Theology Throughout Christian history, theologians have explored the nature of the soul, often affirming its immortality and its distinction from the body. The soul is seen as the true self, created by God and destined for eternal communion with Him. The doctrine of the soul's immortality is rooted in the belief that humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), possessing an eternal aspect that transcends physical death. Practical Implications The biblical understanding of the soul has profound implications for Christian living. It calls believers to prioritize spiritual growth and to seek a deeper relationship with God. The soul's eternal value encourages a life of holiness and devotion, recognizing that earthly pursuits are temporary compared to the soul's everlasting significance. In summary, the soul in the Bible is a complex and multifaceted concept, encompassing life, personality, and the spiritual essence of a person. It is central to understanding human nature, salvation, and the believer's relationship with God. ATS Bible Dictionary SoulThe ancients supposed the soul, or rather the animating principle of life, to reside in the breath, that it departed from the body with the breath. Hence the Hebrew and Greek words which, when they refer to man, in our Bibles are translated "soul," are usually rendered "life" or "breath" when they refer to animals, Genesis 2:7 7:15 Numbers 16:22 Job 12:10 34:14,15 Psalm 104:29 Ecclesiastes 12:7 Acts 17:25. But together with this principle of life, which is common to men and brutes, and which in brutes perishes with the body, there is in man a spiritual, reasonable, and immortal soul, the seat of our thoughts, affections, and reasonings, which distinguishes us from the brute creation, and in which chiefly consists our resemblance to God, Genesis 1:26. This must be spiritual, because it thinks; it must be immortal, because it is spiritual. Scripture ascribes to man alone understanding, conscience, the knowledge of God, wisdom, immortality, and the hope of future everlasting happiness. It threatens men only with punishment in another life, and with the pains of hell. In some places the Bible seems to distinguish soul from spirit, 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Hebrews 4:12: the organ of our sensations, appetites, and passions, allied to the body, form the nobler portion of our nature which most allies man to God. Yet we are to conceive of them as one indivisible and spiritual being, called also the mind and the heart, spoken of variously as living, feeling, understanding, reasoning, willing, etc. Its usual designation is the soul. The immortality of the soul is a fundamental doctrine of revealed religion. The ancient patriarchs lived and died persuaded of this truth; and it was in the hope of another life that they received the promises. Compare Genesis 50:22 Numbers 23:10 1 Samuel 28:13-15 2 Samuel 12:23 Job 19:25,26 Ecclesiastes 12:7 Hebrews 11:13-16. In the gospel "life and immortality," and the worth of immortal souls, are fully brought to light, Matthew 16:26 1 1 Corinthians 15:45-57 2 Timothy 1:10. To save the souls of men, Christ freely devoted himself to death; and how does it become us to labor and toil and strive, in our respective spheres, to promote the great work for which He bled and died! Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Sole.2. (a.) Sole. 3. (v. i.) To afford suitable sustenance. 4. (n.) The spiritual, rational, and immortal part in man; that part of man which enables him to think, and which renders him a subject of moral government; -- sometimes, in distinction from the higher nature, or spirit, of man, the so-called animal soul, that is, the seat of life, the sensitive affections and fantasy, exclusive of the voluntary and rational powers; -- sometimes, in distinction from the mind, the moral and emotional part of man's nature, the seat of feeling, in distinction from intellect; -- sometimes, the intellect only; the understanding; the seat of knowledge, as distinguished from feeling. In a more general sense, an animating, separable, surviving entity, the vehicle of individual personal existence. 5. (n.) The seat of real life or vitality; the source of action; the animating or essential part. 6. (n.) The leader; the inspirer; the moving spirit; the heart; as, the soul of an enterprise; an able general is the soul of his army. 7. (n.) Energy; courage; spirit; fervor; affection, or any other noble manifestation of the heart or moral nature; inherent power or goodness. 8. (n.) A human being; a person; -- a familiar appellation, usually with a qualifying epithet; as, poor soul. 9. (n.) A pure or disembodied spirit. 10. (v. t.) To indue with a soul; to furnish with a soul or mind. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia SOULsol (nephesh; psuche; Latin anima): Greek 5590. psuche -- breath, the soul ... breath, the soul. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: psuche Phonetic Spelling: (psoo-khay') Short Definition: the soul, life, self Definition: (a ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5590.htm - 8k 5591. psuchikos -- natural, of the soul or mind 2473. isopsuchos -- like-minded 4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness 73. agon -- a gathering, contest, struggle 2174. eupsucheo -- to be of good courage 3642. oligopsuchos -- fainthearted 674. apopsucho -- to leave off breathing, ie faint 4638. skenoma -- a tent 217. halas and hala -- salt Strong's Hebrew 5315. nephesh -- a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire ...... a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion. Transliteration: nephesh Phonetic Spelling: (neh'-fesh) Short Definition: soul. ... /hebrew/5315.htm - 7k 5397. neshamah -- breath 5082. nedibah -- nobility, nobleness 8210. shaphak -- to pour out, pour 4578. meeh -- internal organs, inward parts, belly 7953. shalah -- to draw out, extract 3519b. kabod -- abundance, honor, glory 5085. nidneh -- a sheath. Library A Treatise on the Soul The Spiritual Guide which Disentangles the Soul Story of a Soul On the Soul and the Resurrection. The Story of a Soul The Home of the Soul The Shepherd Of My Soul Rest of the Soul. The Soul of Prayer The Habitation of the Soul Thesaurus Soul (554 Occurrences)... and which renders him a subject of moral government; -- sometimes, in distinction from the higher nature, or spirit, of man, the so-called animal soul, that is ... /s/soul.htm - 47k Soul's (12 Occurrences) Vows (38 Occurrences) Appetite (22 Occurrences) Sinneth (25 Occurrences) Alienated (11 Occurrences) Sorrowful (29 Occurrences) Agony (20 Occurrences) Satisfy (32 Occurrences) Sweareth (34 Occurrences) Resources What is soul care? What is care of the soul? | GotQuestions.orgWould a human clone have a soul? | GotQuestions.org What is the human soul? | GotQuestions.org Soul: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Soul (554 Occurrences)Matthew 10:28 Matthew 12:18 Matthew 16:26 Matthew 22:37 Matthew 26:38 Mark 8:36 Mark 8:37 Mark 12:30 Mark 12:33 Mark 14:34 Luke 1:46 Luke 2:35 Luke 10:27 Luke 12:19 Luke 12:20 Luke 22:44 John 10:24 John 12:27 Acts 2:27 Acts 2:31 Acts 2:43 Acts 3:23 Acts 4:32 Romans 2:9 Romans 13:1 1 Corinthians 15:45 2 Corinthians 1:23 Ephesians 6:6 Philippians 1:27 Philippians 2:2 Colossians 3:23 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Hebrews 4:12 Hebrews 6:19 Hebrews 10:38 Hebrews 10:39 James 5:20 1 Peter 2:2 1 Peter 2:11 2 Peter 2:8 3 John 1:2 Revelation 16:3 Revelation 18:14 Genesis 1:21 Genesis 1:30 Genesis 2:7 Genesis 2:19 Genesis 9:10 Genesis 9:12 Genesis 9:15 Genesis 9:16 Genesis 12:13 Genesis 17:14 Genesis 19:19 Genesis 19:20 Genesis 27:4 Genesis 27:10 Genesis 27:19 Genesis 27:25 Genesis 27:31 Genesis 34:3 Genesis 34:8 Genesis 35:18 Genesis 42:21 Genesis 44:30 Genesis 49:6 Exodus 12:15 Exodus 12:19 Exodus 15:9 Exodus 23:9 Exodus 30:12 Exodus 31:14 Leviticus 4:2 Leviticus 5:1 Leviticus 5:2 Leviticus 5:4 Leviticus 5:15 Leviticus 5:17 Leviticus 6:2 Leviticus 7:18 Leviticus 7:20 Leviticus 7:21 Leviticus 7:25 Leviticus 7:27 Leviticus 11:10 Leviticus 11:46 Leviticus 17:10 Leviticus 17:11 Leviticus 17:12 Leviticus 17:15 Leviticus 19:8 Leviticus 19:28 Leviticus 20:6 Leviticus 20:23 Leviticus 22:3 Leviticus 22:6 Leviticus 22:11 Leviticus 23:29 Leviticus 23:30 Leviticus 24:17 Subtopics Related Terms |