She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams. All rights reserved. The Hebrew word for God in Genesis 1 is Elohim. Then you shall know that I am the LORD. Color Depositing Mask Purple, She is also the co-author of the Dear Hero duology, which was published by INtense Publications. Similar to ruach, although it mostly is in reference to the Holy Spirit, it can also refer to the animating life principle that exists in humans. And her inspirational adult romance Picture Imperfect releases in October of 2021. I look around at our society and communities and all I can see are dry bones, as far as the eye can see. (Job 33:4) From the time of creation constant reference is made in Holy Writ to Messiah and the Messianic hope of Israel. In the New Testament, the spirit “pneuma” refers to the Holy Spirit. I will make breath enter you so you may come to life” (Ez. It also means "life." The word Ruach, when applied to God, can often indicate creative divine activity. The Hebrew word for “breath” in the Old Testament was “Ruah”, also meaning “wind”, or “spirit”. As I reflect on Hildegard’s image I’m reminded of ruah, the feminine Hebrew word defined as breath, wind and spirit of God. From nasham; a puff, i.e. breath of god in hebrew. And so, the giving of God’s breath suggests a reflection of his likeness. As we continue to pray for the USA, for […] We live in a time where human life is trampled upon, human dignity is not valued, and the transcendent and eternal realities of our faith have no bearing on the way people lead their lives. (ruach). A soul or spirit. 37:5). Why is the word important? With every breath we take, we seek to serve our God who fills us with the breath of life. Because God exists, we exist. Find out more about her at her website. So, although all things may have a ruach with a lowercase r, whether evil or good, only one thing is Ruach, with a capital R: God. It is a person. For the breath leaves him from below to above, and returns to him from above to below. The Hebrew word for spirit is ruach, which means “wind, breath, air, spirit.” The life of God lives on and on; the immaterial part of man was designed to live eternally. The Ruach of God is the One who gives life to all creation. The last is John 20, “And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the holy Spirit’” (Jn. That is the same call for us, brothers and sisters. (resh, vav, chet) [Pronounced roo-akh.Rhymes with Bach.] It is wind, Spirit, life. Finally, the breath of God is sometimes a powerful symbol of the Holy Spirit! Depending on the context, ruach can be talking about a person's emotional state of being, or their soul or spirit, and is sometimes used as an idiom, as in "a mere breath." We have an equivalent word in the Greek called pneuma. Jesus says this succinctly, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). There is so much strength in something as simple as taking a deep breath. 6. How can both words: ruach and pneuma, refer to both a divine spirit and a non-divine one? And why should we care about the meaning of this Hebrew word? It is the same word for "breath." If we understand the idea of God, especially the Holy Spirit, being like a breath or wind, we can grasp the meaning of the Hebrew word “Ruach.” This word, featured in verses such as Genesis 1:2, Numbers 27:16, Job 33:4, among others, refers to God as a breath, a wind, or a life force that sustains all living things, human beings included. I have spoken; I will do it” (Ez. Wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. Wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. The word reminds us that we breathe, and everything else breathes because the breath of life inhabits us. In Hebrew, a word for breath is ruach and it is the very ruach of God that brings life. Verse 9 uses the word "wind" several times and it also uses the word "breath." The word ruach is translated in 3 different ways: breath, spirit and wind. However, “Ruah” was specifically understood to signify the “breath of God” that animates all of God’s living; a distinct presence of God that enables life to be. It also can be used to describe God as a wind or breath or spirit. If we understand the idea of God, especially the Holy Spirit, being like a breath or wind, we can grasp the meaning of the Hebrew word “Ruach.”. The corresponding Greek word is pneuma. Is Epiphany (Three Kings Day) a Biblical Holiday? We could say that God’s Ruach has created every other (non-divine) ruach that exists. 'The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters'; the Spirit of God means Messiah. Sample Behavior Intervention Plan For Escape, What is Blasphemy? Humanity’s first recorded encounter with God’s “Ruah” is found during Creation: “then the LORD God formed the man out of the dust of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Gen. 2:7). By resemblance to breath and air in motion, it means "spirit." The idea of “breath” is completely integral to the human experience. The only question is where will we live? 20:22). A breath may be quiet, but it is also a sure sign of life. רוח (Ruah) is the Hebrew word used by the Old Testament authors to mean "wind", "breath", and "spirit".Ruah however was most specially understood by the Hebrews to be the "breath of God" present in all living, a distinct presence of God enabling life to be; the animating presence of God impelled by connection to breath, God's anima requsite for creatures to live. We almost get a little spooky talking about the Holy Ghost, but the Hebrew word behind spirit is ruach, and it means "air in motion." Answer: The Hebrew ruach means “wind,” “breath,” or “spirit.”. This word refers to God as a breath, a wind, or a life force that sustains all living things, human beings included. ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Circle Creative Studio. Sarah Rose hails from Long Island and graduated from Franciscan University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s in Theology & Catechetics. It was a big concept that proved challenging to turn into a succinct lyric. "The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life." Breath can become weak (Daniel 10:17); it is limited (Genesis 7:22; 1 Kings 17:17). The word’s first use in the Bible appears in the second verse: “The Spirit of God [ Ruach Elohim] was hovering over the waters” ( Genesis 1:2 ). He is. English Gematria, Hebrew Gematria and Jewish Gematria and Numerology This word literally means the inhalation and exhalation of air in our bodies such as we see in the following passage. In the most simple and broad definition possible, ruach (and pneuma) refer to a life force. It appears as a manifestation of God’s dynamism which is communicated to creatures.”. The Hebrew word for “breath” in the Old Testament was “Ruah”, also meaning “wind”, or “spirit”. I had quite the feisty temper when I was little and my mother would always tell me to take a deep breath before responding if my reaction could be hurtful or damaging. Although in English these are three different words, in Hebrew they are only one word, ruach. Ruah is the breath that stirred over the face of the deep at the dawn of creation. ←Welcome to TulsaGroup. We believe that the Church has the best message to share, and since 1956, we have worked to provide the best products to help you share that message. Through our Baptism, we were imparted with that same Spirit; that same life of Christ in our souls that enables us to live out our vocations of priest, prophet, and king. 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