### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun πνοή (pnoḗ, `{{G4157}}`) derives from the verb πνέω (pneō, `{{G4154}}`), meaning "to blow" or "to breathe." Its semantic range encompasses two primary meanings:
1. **Respiration/Breath:** This refers to the act of breathing, the vital air inhaled and exhaled by living beings. It signifies life itself, as breath is fundamental to existence. This meaning often parallels the Hebrew `{{H5397}}` (neshamah), which also denotes breath and the breath of life.
2. **Wind/Breeze:** This refers to the movement of air, ranging from a gentle breeze to a powerful gust or storm. In this sense, it aligns closely with the Hebrew `{{H7307}}` (ruach) and the Greek πνεῦμα (pneuma, `{{G4151}}`), both of which can signify "wind," "breath," or "spirit."
Thus, πνοή carries both a literal, physiological sense of vital breath and a meteorological sense of atmospheric movement, often with implications of divine power or presence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term πνοή appears twice in the New Testament, each instance carrying profound theological weight:
* **[[Acts 2:2]]**: "And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting." Here, πνοή is used to describe the dramatic, audible manifestation accompanying the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The phrase "mighty rushing wind" (πνοὴ βιαία) vividly portrays the power and immediacy of the Spirit's arrival. This is not merely a gentle breeze but a forceful, overwhelming presence, echoing Old Testament imagery of divine presence (e.g., the wind over the waters in [[Genesis 1:2]] or the wind driving the Red Sea). The sound of the πνοή serves as an auditory sign, preparing the disciples for the visual manifestation of tongues of fire and the subsequent empowerment.
* **[[Acts 17:25]]**: "nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything." In Paul's sermon on Mars Hill, πνοή signifies the very breath of life that God imparts to all humanity. This passage emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and self-sufficiency as the Creator and Sustainer of all existence. He is the ultimate source of life, providing "life and breath" (ζωὴν καὶ πνοήν) to every individual. This aligns with the biblical understanding that human life is sustained by the breath of God (cf. [[Genesis 2:7]]).
In both contexts, πνοή is inextricably linked to divine agency, whether as the powerful manifestation of the Holy Spirit or as the life-giving essence bestowed by the Creator.
### Related Words & Concepts
πνοή is deeply interwoven with a cluster of related Greek and Hebrew terms, highlighting a rich theological tapestry:
* **πνέω (pneō, `{{G4154}}`):** The verbal root, meaning "to blow" or "to breathe." πνοή is the noun form of this action, representing the "blowing" or "breathing" itself.
* **πνεῦμα (pneuma, `{{G4151}}`):** This is perhaps the most significant related word. πνεῦμα can mean "spirit," "wind," or "breath." While πνοή typically refers to the physical manifestation (the *sound* of wind, the *act* of breathing), πνεῦμα often denotes the underlying spiritual essence or invisible power. The event at Pentecost in [[Acts 2:2]] beautifully illustrates this connection: the πνοή (rushing wind) is the audible sign of the πνεῦμα (Holy Spirit) descending.
* **Hebrew Equivalents:**
* **רוּחַ (ruach, `{{H7307}}`):** Like πνεῦμα, ruach encompasses "wind," "breath," and "spirit." It is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe the Spirit of God, particularly in creative acts (e.g., [[Genesis 1:2]]) and empowering individuals. The πνοή of Pentecost finds a strong conceptual parallel in the ruach of God.
* **נְשָׁמָה (neshamah, `{{H5397}}`):** This word specifically means "breath" or "breath of life." It is used in [[Genesis 2:7]] for the breath God breathed into Adam, making him a living being. This directly relates to πνοή in [[Acts 17:25]], emphasizing God as the source of all life.
Concepts associated with πνοή therefore include life, vitality, divine power, the Holy Spirit, creation, and human dependence on God.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of πνοή is profound, underscoring fundamental truths about God and humanity:
1. **God as the Giver and Sustainer of Life:** In [[Acts 17:25]], πνοή unequivocally establishes God as the ultimate source of all life. Every creature's breath, and thus its very existence, is a direct gift from God. This emphasizes divine sovereignty over life and death and highlights human utter dependence on the Creator. It counters any notion of human self-sufficiency or reliance on idols.
2. **The Manifestation of the Holy Spirit:** The use of πνοή in [[Acts 2:2]] is crucial for understanding the nature of the Holy Spirit's advent at Pentecost. The "mighty rushing wind" is not merely a metaphor but a tangible, powerful manifestation, indicating the dynamic and overwhelming presence of God's Spirit. This links the Spirit to divine power, cleansing, and empowering, recalling Old Testament instances where God's presence was accompanied by wind or storm (e.g., [[Exodus 19:16-18]], [[Ezekiel 3:12-13]]). The πνοή signals a new era of divine indwelling and empowerment for the church.
3. **Divine Immanence and Transcendence:** While God is transcendent, πνοή shows His immanent involvement in creation (giving life and breath) and in the lives of His people (the Spirit's presence). It bridges the gap between the unseen God and His tangible impact on the world.
4. **Creation and Re-creation:** Just as God breathed life into creation (cf. neshamah in [[Genesis 2:7]]), the πνοή of the Spirit at Pentecost signals a new act of spiritual re-creation, empowering the church for its mission.
### Summary
πνοή (pnoḗ, `{{G4157}}`) is a Greek noun meaning both "breath" (respiration) and "wind" (atmospheric movement), derived from the verb "to blow/breathe." Its two New Testament occurrences reveal deep theological significance. In [[Acts 17:25]], it underscores God as the sovereign Creator and Sustainer who graciously gives "life and breath" to all humanity, emphasizing human dependence on Him. In [[Acts 2:2]], πνοή describes the powerful, audible "mighty rushing wind" that accompanied the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, serving as a tangible manifestation of divine presence and empowerment. Closely related to πνεῦμα (spirit, wind, breath) and its Hebrew counterparts ruach and neshamah, πνοή thus signifies both the vital essence of physical life and the dynamic, powerful presence of God's Spirit in the world.
TRV