(Aramaic) corresponding to נְשָׁמָה; vital breath; breath.
Transliteration:nishmâʼ
Pronunciation:nish-maw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word נִשְׁמָא (transliterated nishmâʼ, Strong's `{{H5396}}`) directly corresponds to the more frequently occurring Hebrew term נְשָׁמָה (nᵉshâmâh, `{{H5397}}`). Its core meaning revolves around "breath," specifically "vital breath" or the "breath of life." This term signifies the animating principle, the very life force that God imparts to living beings. While related to ruach (`{{H7307}}`, spirit/wind/breath) and nephesh (`{{H5315}}`, soul/life/person), nishmâʼ often emphasizes the *act* or *source* of this life-giving breath, highlighting its divine origin. It is the physical manifestation of life, the air drawn into the lungs that sustains existence, yet imbued with profound theological implications as a gift from the Creator.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Aramaic term nishmâʼ (`{{H5396}}`) appears only once in the biblical text, in the book of Daniel:
* **[[Daniel 5:23]]**: "But you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. And they have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know; but the God in whose hand is your breath (נִשְׁמָא) and all your ways, you have not glorified."
This singular occurrence is profoundly significant. It is spoken by Daniel to King Belshazzar during the feast where the handwriting on the wall appears. Daniel's indictment of Belshazzar's pride and sacrilege culminates in this powerful statement. Belshazzar's ultimate sin was his failure to acknowledge and glorify the true God, "in whose hand is your breath (nishmâʼ) and all your ways." This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty over life itself. It is not merely a physical breath, but the very essence of existence, the vitality and being of the king, that is entirely dependent upon and held within the hand of the Most High God. Belshazzar's defiance was not just against a deity, but against the very source of his life.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is its Hebrew counterpart, nᵉshâmâh (`{{H5397}}`), which carries the identical core meaning of "breath" or "breath of life." This term is famously used in [[Genesis 2:7]], where God "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (nᵉshâmâh), and man became a living being (nephesh)."
Other related terms include:
* ruach (`{{H7307}}`): Often translated as "spirit," "wind," or "breath." While nᵉshâmâh/nishmâʼ often refers to the *physical* breath that sustains life, ruach has a broader semantic range, encompassing the divine Spirit, the human spirit, and even the air/wind. In some contexts, nᵉshâmâh and ruach are used in parallel or interchangeably to speak of the life-giving principle from God (e.g., [[Genesis 7:22]]).
* nephesh (`{{H5315}}`): "Soul," "life," "living being," or "person." nephesh refers to the animate life itself, the individual as a living entity. nᵉshâmâh is often the divine means by which nephesh comes into existence and is sustained.
The concept of nishmâʼ is deeply intertwined with the biblical understanding of **divine sovereignty over life**. God is the ultimate giver and sustainer of all life, and all creatures depend on His ongoing provision of breath.
### Theological Significance
The single, yet potent, appearance of nishmâʼ (`{{H5396}}`) in [[Daniel 5:23]] carries immense theological weight:
1. **Divine Origin and Sustenance of Life**: The word emphatically declares that human life, from its very inception to its continued existence, is not inherent but is a direct, moment-by-moment gift from God. Belshazzar's breath, and by extension all human breath, is literally "in God's hand." This underscores humanity's absolute dependence on the Creator.
2. **God's Absolute Sovereignty**: The text portrays God as the supreme Lord who holds ultimate control over life and death. Belshazzar's failure to acknowledge this fundamental truth, despite his power and position, was his gravest sin. His life, his "ways," and his very breath were under divine jurisdiction, yet he acted as if independent.
3. **Human Accountability**: Because life is a divine gift, it implies a profound responsibility. Humans are accountable to the Giver of life for how they live and for acknowledging His rightful place as sovereign. Belshazzar's judgment stemmed directly from his refusal to glorify the God "in whose hand is your breath."
4. **Fragility and Transience of Life**: The concept of breath, easily given and easily withdrawn, serves as a stark reminder of human mortality and the transient nature of earthly existence and power.
### Summary
Nishmâʼ (`{{H5396}}`) is the Aramaic term for "vital breath" or "breath of life," directly paralleling the Hebrew nᵉshâmâh (`{{H5397}}`). Though appearing only once in [[Daniel 5:23]], its significance is profound. In this powerful indictment of King Belshazzar, nishmâʼ underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all life, emphasizing that every individual's very existence and breath are held entirely within the hand of the Creator. This singular usage serves as a potent theological statement on the divine origin and sustenance of life, human dependence on God, and the ultimate accountability of all people to the Giver of their breath.
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