The meaning of “רוּחַ”
Understanding rûwach reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] va...
רוּחַ
air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). - wind - by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation - figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality - by extension, a region of the sky - by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions) 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 8:1 | “And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;” Word: רוּחַ (rûwach) | |
| 1 Samuel 16:16 | “Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.” Word: רוּחַ (rûwach) | |
| Ezra 1:5 | “Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem.” Word: רוּחַ (rûwach) | |
| Isaiah 38:16 | “O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.” Word: רוּחַ (rûwach) | |
| Joel 2:29 | “And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” Word: רוּחַ (rûwach) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Spirit
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Spirit, wind, breath
The Hebrew ruach (רוּחַ) means spirit, wind, or breath—invisible but powerful. It describes both the Holy Spirit and the human spirit. God's Spirit gives life and empowers His people.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Spirit, wind, breath
The Greek pneuma (πνεῦμα) means spirit, wind, or breath—the immaterial aspect of persons. The Holy Spirit (Pneuma Hagion) is the third person of the Trinity, dwelling in believers.