from נָשַׁם; a puff, i.e. wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely) an animal; blast, (that) breath(-eth), inspiration, soul, spirit.
Transliteration:nᵉshâmâh
Pronunciation:nesh-aw-maw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term נְשָׁמָה (nᵉshâmâh, `{{H5397}}`) is derived from the verb נָשַׁם (nasham, `{{H5395}}`), meaning "to pant" or "to blow." At its core, נְשָׁמָה signifies "breath," but its semantic range is considerably broader, encompassing various facets of this fundamental concept. It can refer to:
* **Vital Breath/Life Force:** The physical breath necessary for life in humans and animals. This is its most common and foundational meaning.
* **Divine Inspiration/Breath:** The life-giving or wisdom-imparting breath of God.
* **Wind/Blast:** A strong exhalation, often associated with divine power or wrath.
* **Intellect/Understanding:** An extension of the idea of divine breath imparting wisdom or insight.
* **Living Creature/Animal:** In a concrete sense, referring to anything that breathes.
* **Anger/Wrath:** As in "angry breath" or "blast of wrath," particularly when describing God's powerful displeasure.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term נְשָׁמָה appears approximately 29 times in the Old Testament, with significant theological weight in key passages:
* **Creation of Humanity:** In the foundational account of human creation, [[Genesis 2:7]] states, "then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים), and the man became a living creature." This verse establishes נְשָׁמָה as the divine act that animates humanity, distinguishing mankind by God's direct impartation of life.
* **The Flood Narrative:** In [[Genesis 7:22]], describing the perishing of all life outside the ark, it is stated, "Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life (נִשְׁמַת רוּחַ חַיִּים) died." This emphasizes the universal dependence of all terrestrial life on this vital breath, which God can also withdraw.
* **Source of Understanding:** [[Job 32:8]] connects נְשָׁמָה with divine understanding: "But it is the spirit (רוּחַ) in man, the breath (וְנִשְׁמַת) of the Almighty, that makes him understand." Here, נְשָׁמָה is presented as the source of wisdom and insight, directly from God. Similarly, [[Job 33:4]] states, "The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath (וְנִשְׁמַת) of the Almighty gives me life."
* **Transience of Human Life:** Passages like [[Isaiah 2:22]] ("Stop trusting in man, in whose nostrils is breath (נְשָׁמָה), for what account is he to be taken?") and [[Job 27:3]] ("as long as my breath (נִשְׁמָתִי) is in me") underscore the fragility and ephemeral nature of human existence, which is utterly dependent on God's sustained breath.
* **God's Power and Judgment:** In contexts of divine judgment or powerful action, נְשָׁמָה can denote God's forceful "blast" or "breath of His nostrils." For example, [[2 Samuel 22:15]] (parallel to [[Psalm 18:15]]) describes God's deliverance: "And He sent out arrows and scattered them; lightning, and routed them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, the foundations of the world were laid bare, at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils (בְּנִשְׁמַת רוּחַ אַפֶּיךָ)."
* **The "Lamp of the Lord":** [[Proverbs 20:27]] offers a unique metaphorical usage: "The spirit (נֵר יְהוָה נִשְׁמַת אָדָם) of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the inner parts of the belly." Here, נְשָׁמָה is depicted as an inner light or conscience, divinely implanted, that illuminates the depths of human being.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H7307}}` רוּחַ (ruach):** This is the most closely related and often parallel term. While nᵉshâmâh generally refers to the *breath* itself, or the vital principle that animates, ruach has a broader semantic range including "wind," "spirit" (human or divine), "mind," and "life force." In some contexts, they are almost interchangeable (e.g., [[Job 33:4]]), but nᵉshâmâh often emphasizes the *physicality* of breath or the *act* of breathing, while ruach can lean more towards the non-physical, dynamic, or dispositional aspect of spirit. Nᵉshâmâh is the *means* by which ruach (life-spirit) is imparted.
* **`{{H5395}}` נָשַׁם (nasham):** The verbal root from which nᵉshâmâh is derived. It signifies the action of breathing, panting, or blowing, highlighting the dynamic origin of the noun.
* **`{{H2416}}` חַיִּים (chayyim):** Meaning "life." Nᵉshâmâh is frequently qualified by chayyim (e.g., נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים, "breath of life"), underscoring its essential role in sustaining existence.
* **`{{H5315}}` נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh):** Often translated as "soul" or "living being." In [[Genesis 2:7]], the combination of dust and nᵉshâmâh results in a nephesh chayyah (living soul/being). Nephesh refers to the animated creature, while nᵉshâmâh is the animating breath itself.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of נְשָׁמָה is profound and multi-faceted:
* **Divine Impartation of Life:** Nᵉshâmâh is central to the biblical understanding of life's origin, particularly human life. God's direct act of breathing into Adam's nostrils signifies that human life is not merely biological but a unique gift, a divine spark that sets humanity apart. This act establishes humanity's fundamental dependence on God as the source and sustainer of all life.
* **Foundation of Human Dignity and Relationship:** The divine breath suggests that humans are not merely complex biological machines but possess an inherent dignity and capacity for relationship with their Creator, stemming from this unique act of animation.
* **Source of Wisdom and Understanding:** The link between nᵉshâmâh and understanding in Job suggests that true wisdom and spiritual insight are not purely intellectual achievements but are ultimately derived from God's animating and illuminating presence within humanity.
* **Testament to God's Sovereignty and Power:** Whether giving life or bringing judgment, God's nᵉshâmâh demonstrates His absolute power and sovereignty over all creation. The breath that sustains can also be withdrawn, highlighting the fragility of all created existence and the ultimate authority of the Creator.
* **The Inner Conscience:** The metaphorical use in Proverbs points to an inner spiritual faculty, a "lamp of the Lord," which enables self-awareness, moral discernment, and a connection to divine truth, suggesting that even our deepest inner workings are imbued with God's presence.
### Summary
נְשָׁמָה (nᵉshâmâh, `{{H5397}}`) is a pivotal Hebrew term primarily denoting "breath," derived from the verb "to pant" or "to blow." Its semantic range extends from the physical breath of life to divine inspiration, the force of wind, and even the source of understanding. Most significantly, nᵉshâmâh is the divine "breath of life" that uniquely animates humanity in [[Genesis 2:7]], establishing God as the ultimate source and sustainer of all life. This term underscores humanity's profound dependence on God for existence and understanding, while also portraying God's immense power, capable of both creating and judging through His powerful "blast." Often appearing in parallel with ruach (`{{H7307}}`), nᵉshâmâh tends to emphasize the vital, animating breath that makes a creature a living being (`{{H5315}}`), revealing a deep theological truth about the intimate and life-giving relationship between Creator and creation.
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