וּ/נְשָׁמ֖וֹת
𐤅/𐤍𐤔𐤌𐤅𐤕
nᵉshâmâh
and the souls
Breath; specifically, the act or process of breathing as the marker of animate life. In extension, living being; in specialized contexts, often denotes vital breath—what distinguishes the living from the dead. In poetical and some prose texts, may refer to (human or animal) life-force, distinguishing the living from inanimate matter. Can figuratively denote the living creature itself, understood as one possessing breath; rarely used to represent conscious intellect. In some contexts, particularly in later or poetic passages, used to express the idea of the animating force or capacity for life, occasionally with implications of divine bestowal of life.
Isaiah 57:16 · Word #12
Lexicon H5397
| Lemma | נְשָׁמָה |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤍𐤔𐤌𐤄 |
| Transliteration | nᵉshâmâh |
| Strong's | H5397 |
| Definition | Breath; specifically, the act or process of breathing as the marker of animate life. In extension, living being; in specialized contexts, often denotes vital breath—what distinguishes the living from the dead. In poetical and some prose texts, may refer to (human or animal) life-force, distinguishing the living from inanimate matter. Can figuratively denote the living creature itself, understood as one possessing breath; rarely used to represent conscious intellect. In some contexts, particularly in later or poetic passages, used to express the idea of the animating force or capacity for life, occasionally with implications of divine bestowal of life. |
Morphology HC/Ncfpa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | f — Feminine — Feminine |
| Number | p — Plural — Plural |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
Common Translation
| Phrase | and the souls |
SIBI-P1 Translation H5397-07
and vital breaths
| Morphological Notes | Noun, feminine plural absolute with prefixed conjunction וְ ("and"). |
| Rendering Rationale | The noun נְשָׁמָה derives from the root נשם meaning "to breathe," and denotes breath as the marker of animate life. The plural absolute form with prefixed conjunction וּ is preserved as "and vital breaths," reflecting both number and the life-breath sense inherent in the root. |
View full lexicon entry for H5397 →
SILEX v2
SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)
and the vital breaths
| Same as P1 | No — adjusted for context |
| Rationale | P1 'and vital breaths' omits the article; as context indicates definite class, 'and the vital breaths' is more precise. |