נְשָׁמָה (ne.sha.mah)
ne.sha.mah
breath
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 23 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun neshamah refers to the vital force that animates living beings, encompassing both the physical act of breathing and the inner spirit that gives life. In Genesis 2:7, it describes the breath God breathed into Adam, marking the transition from dust to a living soul. This usage highlights that human life is not self-sustaining but depends entirely on divine inspiration.
The word extends beyond mere respiration to include the mind and spirit, as seen in Proverbs 20:27 where it identifies the human spirit as the lamp of the Lord. It also appears in poetic contexts to describe God’s powerful breath, such as the blast that parted waters in Psalm 18:15. In historical narratives like Joshua 10:40, it is used concretely to mean every living creature, emphasizing the totality of life under judgment.
Derived from a root meaning to breathe or pant, neshamah captures both the gentle rhythm of life and the forceful wind of divine action. Translators often render it as breath, spirit, or soul depending on context. Its range reflects a holistic view where physical vitality and spiritual essence are closely intertwined rather than separate.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word neshamah reminds us that life is a gift sustained moment by moment. In Genesis, God breathed this breath into Adam, showing that our existence depends entirely on Him. It is not just air in our lungs but the very spirit that connects us to the Creator.
This truth offers comfort when we feel weak or overwhelmed. Isaiah 42:5 speaks of God giving breath to His people and spirit to those who walk with Him. Even in our frailty, He provides the vitality we need to continue.
When we praise God, as Psalm 150:6 invites, we use this same breath. It is a simple act that acknowledges our dependence on Him. Let your daily breathing be a quiet reminder of His care and presence in your life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 23 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- breathing thing4×
- breath3×
- and/ [the] breath of3×
- [the] breath of3×
- from/ [the] breath of2×
- <the>/ breathing thing2×
- from/ [the] breathing of1×
- breath/ my1×
- and/ breaths1×
- and/ breath/ his1×
- and/ breath1×
- [is the] breath of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נְשָׁמָֽה\׃3×
- נִשְׁמַ֣ת2×
- וְ/נִשְׁמַ֖ת2×
- נִשְׁמָתִ֣/י1×
- נִשְׁמַת\־1×
- נִשְׁמַ֤ת1×
- נְשָׁמָה֙1×
- נְשָׁמָ֛ה1×
- נְשָׁמָ֖ה1×
- נְשָׁמָ֑ה1×
- מִ/נִּשְׁמַת\־1×
- מִ/נִּשְׁמַ֣ת1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 2:7
Yahweh God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
This verse establishes the origin of human life as a direct act of divine breath, distinguishing humans from the dust they were formed from.
-
Isaiah 42:5
God Yahweh, he who created the heavens and stretched them out, he who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, he who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it, says:
Here the word highlights God’s ongoing role in sustaining the spiritual vitality of those who follow Him.
-
Job 33:4
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Elihu connects the breath of the Almighty directly to the formation and giving of life, emphasizing divine agency.