from ἐν and πνέω; to inhale, i.e. (figuratively) to be animated by (bent upon):--breathe.
Transliteration:empnéō
Pronunciation:emp-neh'-o
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb `{{G1709}}` (empnéō) is a compound word formed from the preposition ἐν (en), meaning "in" or "into," and the verb πνέω (pneō, `{{G4154}}`), meaning "to blow" or "to breathe." Literally, therefore, empnéō signifies "to breathe in" or "to inhale." However, its primary biblical usage is figurative, conveying the sense of being intensely animated by, filled with, or passionately bent upon a particular disposition or action. It suggests that the quality or action is as fundamental and pervasive to one's being as the very air one breathes. The prefix en- intensifies the action, implying an inward saturation or a deep-seated impulse.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{G1709}}` (empnéō) appears only once in the New Testament, in a highly significant passage:
* **[[Acts 9:1]]**: "But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest..."
In this singular occurrence, empnéō is used idiomatically to describe Saul's fervent hostility toward the nascent Christian community. The phrase "breathing threats and murder" is a powerful metaphor. It does not merely mean that Saul uttered threats and committed murderous acts; rather, it indicates that threats and murder were, as it were, the very air he exhaled, the animating spirit of his existence at that moment. His animosity was not superficial but deeply ingrained, permeating his entire being and driving his actions with zealous intensity. This vivid imagery underscores the depth of his opposition and the consuming nature of his persecutory zeal before his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding `{{G1709}}` (empnéō) is enriched by examining its linguistic relatives and conceptual parallels:
* πνέω (pneō, `{{G4154}}`): The root verb, meaning "to blow" or "to breathe." It is used for the blowing of wind ([[John 3:8]]) and the physical act of breathing.
* πνεῦμα (pneuma, `{{G4151}}`): The noun form derived from pneō, meaning "spirit," "wind," or "breath." This term is central to biblical theology, referring to the Holy Spirit, human spirit, or even an evil spirit. The connection highlights the animating force behind actions, whether divine or human.
* ἐμφυσάω (emphysaō, `{{G1720}}`): Another compound verb meaning "to breathe into." This word is notably used in [[John 20:22]] when Jesus "breathed on" His disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." This presents a profound theological contrast to Saul's "breathing threats."
* ζῆλος (zēlos, `{{G2205}}`): "Zeal" or "passion." Saul's actions in [[Acts 9:1]] were driven by a misguided religious zeal, a concept often associated with intense, animating emotions.
* The broader concept of *life* and *breath*: In biblical thought, breath is intrinsically linked to life itself (e.g., [[Genesis 2:7]]). The perversion of breath to "threats and murder" in Saul's case underscores the spiritual death and destructive impulse that animated him.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of `{{G1709}}` (empnéō) in [[Acts 9:1]] carries profound theological weight:
* **The Pervasiveness of Sin and Hostility:** The image of Saul "breathing threats and murder" powerfully illustrates how sin and hostility can permeate one's entire being. It suggests that his animosity was not merely an external act but an intrinsic part of his very essence, an animating force akin to one's breath. This highlights the depth of human depravity and the radical opposition to God that can exist within a person.
* **A Stark Contrast to Divine Breath:** The word stands in stark contrast to the divine "breath" (πνεῦμα) that gives life. God breathed life into humanity ([[Genesis 2:7]]), and Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon His disciples ([[John 20:22]]). In [[Acts 9:1]], Saul, in his unregenerate state, breathes out death and destruction, a perversion of the life-giving function of breath. This contrast underscores the nature of the spiritual battle and the source of true life versus the source of spiritual death.
* **Setting the Stage for Radical Transformation:** The vivid portrayal of Saul's intense, life-consuming hostility makes his subsequent conversion all the more dramatic and miraculous. The one who was "breathing threats and murder" would soon be filled with and breathe out the gospel of peace and life in Christ. This demonstrates the immense, transformative power of God's grace, capable of reorienting the very animating spirit of a human being from enmity to fervent devotion. It underscores that no one is beyond the reach of divine intervention and redemption.
### Summary
`{{G1709}}` (empnéō) is a Greek verb meaning literally "to breathe in," but used figuratively in its sole biblical occurrence in [[Acts 9:1]]. There, it describes Saul as "breathing threats and murder" against the disciples, an idiom signifying that hostility and destructive intent were deeply ingrained, animating forces within him, permeating his very being like the air he breathed. This powerful imagery, related to `{{G4154}}` (pneō) and `{{G4151}}` (pneuma), highlights the pervasive nature of his unregenerate zeal. Theologically, empnéō vividly portrays the depth of Saul's opposition to Christ, standing in stark contrast to the life-giving breath of God's Spirit. Ultimately, this intense depiction of his former state serves to magnify the miraculous and transformative power of God's grace in converting Saul, the persecutor, into Paul, the apostle of life.
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