### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **gâvaʻ**, represented by `{{H1478}}`, is a primitive root meaning to **breathe out** or expire. It appears 24 times in 23 unique verses in the Bible. While it broadly denotes death, its core meaning centers on the final act of expiration, often translated as "to give up the ghost" or to "perish."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H1478}}` is notably used to describe the deaths of the patriarchs. The accounts of Abraham [[Genesis 25:8]], Ishmael [[Genesis 25:17]], Isaac [[Genesis 35:29]], and Jacob [[Genesis 49:33]] all use this term to signify the moment they "gave up the ghost." The word also describes large-scale death as a result of divine judgment, such as in the global flood where God declared all flesh on earth would **die** [[Genesis 6:17]] and everything that moved upon the earth **died** [[Genesis 7:21]]. In a more personal context, Job uses `{{H1478}}` to express his deep despair, questioning why he did not **give up the ghost** at birth ([[Job 3:11]], [[Job 10:18]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide a fuller context for the concept of expiring:
* `{{H4191}}` **mûwth** (to die): This is the general term for death and is often used in parallel with `gâvaʻ`. In the descriptions of the patriarchs' deaths, they first **gave up the ghost** `{{H1478}}` and then **died** `{{H4191}}`, highlighting `gâvaʻ` as the specific act of expiring [[Genesis 25:8]].
* `{{H7307}}` **rûwach** (breath, spirit): This word is directly linked to the definition of `gâvaʻ`. [[Psalms 104:29]] states that when God takes away their **breath** `{{H7307}}`, they **die** `{{H1478}}`, connecting the physical act of expiring with the removal of the life-giving spirit.
* `{{H622}}` **ʼâçaph** (to gather): This term frequently follows `gâvaʻ` in patriarchal narratives, where after giving up the ghost, an individual was **gathered** to his people ([[Genesis 25:8]], [[Genesis 35:29]]). This suggests an immediate transition following the final breath.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H1478}}` is demonstrated in several ways:
* **Divine Sovereignty over Life:** The use of `gâvaʻ` often underscores God's ultimate control over life and death. God's declaration before the flood that all life will **die** `{{H1478}}` establishes His authority to end life [[Genesis 6:17]]. Similarly, the Psalmist notes that death occurs when God takes away breath [[Psalms 104:29]].
* **The Consequence of Sin:** The term is connected to the results of iniquity. Achan **perished** `{{H1478}}` not alone in his iniquity, showing the communal impact of his trespass [[Joshua 22:20]]. The Israelites fearfully exclaim, "Behold, we **die** `{{H1478}}`, we perish" [[Numbers 17:12]], linking death to the consequence of improperly approaching God's holiness.
* **The Finality of Mortal Life:** `gâvaʻ` marks the definitive end of earthly existence. When man **giveth up the ghost** `{{H1478}}`, the question "and where is he?" immediately follows, emphasizing the cessation of physical presence [[Job 14:10]]. Job's declaration "till I **die** `{{H1478}}` I will not remove mine integrity" uses this word to mark the ultimate endpoint of his mortal test [[Job 27:5]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1478}}` provides a specific and poignant depiction of death as the act of breathing one's last. It is used to record the final moments of foundational figures like Abraham, to describe the awesome scale of divine judgment, and to express the deepest human anguish in the face of mortality. Far from being a simple synonym for death, **gâvaʻ** focuses on the physical act of expiration, serving as a powerful marker for the end of life throughout the biblical text.
TRV