ἐμπνέω (empneō)
empneō
to breath into
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb empneō describes the physical act of breathing in or breathing upon something. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Acts 9:1, to characterize Saul’s intense hostility toward the early church. The text states that he was still breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. This usage paints a vivid picture of his spirit being filled with violent intent, as if those dangers were the very air he inhaled.
Its etymology combines the prefix en, meaning "in," with pneō, meaning "to breathe." While the word can simply mean to inhale, here it carries a figurative weight. The sources note that threats and slaughter were so central to his mindset that they functioned as the elements from which he drew his breath. This rare occurrence highlights how deeply entrenched his opposition was before his conversion on the road to Damascus.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word empneō literally means to breathe into or upon something. In Acts 9:1, it describes Saul as one who was still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord. This vivid imagery suggests that his violent intent was not just a passing thought, but the very air he inhaled. It paints a picture of a spirit completely saturated with hostility.
For your faith, this word offers a profound glimpse into the power of divine grace. Saul’s life was defined by this breath of death until the moment God intervened. If you ever feel overwhelmed by circumstances or past mistakes, remember that no heart is too hardened for God to transform. His ability to change even the most intense opposition shows that He can breathe new life into any situation.
This single occurrence reminds us that our identity is not fixed by our past actions or current struggles. Just as Saul’s breath of threats was replaced by a mission of love, God can redirect your path. You are never beyond the reach of His transforming power.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- breathing out1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐμπνέων1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 9:1
But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
This verse uses empneō to show that Saul’s threats were so central to his mindset they functioned as the air he inhaled, highlighting the depth of his opposition before conversion.