The breath of life – What is it?

from the old testament

• The phrase "breath of life" comes originally from a verse in Genesis describing the creation of man: "The LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature" (Genesis 2:7). The breath of life was what turned man from a lifeless collection of matter into a living creature.
• The Hebrew word translated "creature" or "being" in this passage is the word for soul, which is nephesh. It means "an animated, breathing, conscious, and living being." We know from the passage that God created man (it was not accomplished by an evolutionary process) and that his soul—his consciousness, sentience, etc.—was part of that creation.
• While animals are also described as having the "breath of life" (Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15), their creation did not involve God breathing it into them. This distinction highlights that humans have a special relationship with God, marked by spiritual capacity and moral responsibility.
• It is also important to note that the Hebrew words used in Genesis 1:30, 6:17, and 7:15 differ, strengthening the argument for the special relationship between humans and God. In Genesis 2:7, the words H5397 (to breathe) and H2416 (life) specifically describe God breathing life into man, highlighting a unique act of divine interaction. In contrast, Genesis 7:15 uses H7307 (to breathe) and H2416, but without the same intimate, personal involvement of God as seen in Genesis 2:7. Genesis 1:30 does not even include the word for "breath" in the Hebrew, further emphasizing the distinction between humanity and animals. While animals have the "breath of life," humans alone are endowed with a direct, personal connection to God, granting them spiritual capacity and moral responsibility.

from the new testament

• Revelation 11:11 refers to the two witnesses who had been killed and laid dead in the streets of the great city, and after three and a half days, God breathes life back into them. The phrase "breath of life" in this verse signifies a divine, miraculous restoration, revealing God's power to give life and His authority over death, much like the initial act of creation in Genesis when God breathed life into humanity.

implications for today

Humanity will be held responsible for their stewardship of the breath of life that God gave them. The breath of God is the power and life of God, His Spirit. This sustains us while we are living and gives life to our soul after death as well. After death, believers in Jesus Christ go to be with the Lord, while their bodies remain in the grave until the resurrection when they are given glorified bodies (2 Corinthians 5:6–8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17). This reunited body and soul will exist eternally in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21—22). Unbelievers, however, enter a temporary place of torment until their final resurrection and judgment (Luke 16:22–24; Revelation 20:11–15). At the final judgment, unbelievers are cast into the lake of fire, while believers enter eternal life with Christ. Ultimately, a person’s eternal destiny is determined by whether they have trusted in Jesus for salvation (John 3:36).

Jesus, who gave us the breath of life, has come so that all who trust in Him for the forgiveness of sins will be judged as righteous before God. John 1:1–4 says: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” God is the source of life, and everyone who trusts in Christ for forgiveness and salvation can live with Him for eternity. Will you?