רוּחַ

𐤓𐤅𐤇

rûwach

H7307 noun

SILEX Entry

Root רוּחַ to blow, to breathe, to smell

Definition

רוּחַ (rûaḥ) most fundamentally refers to air in motion, that is, wind or breath, with extended meanings encompassing both natural and anthropomorphic senses. It denotes (1) wind—atmospheric movement; (2) breath—the vital force animating living beings; (3) by extension, spirit—as an invisible, animating quality, particularly of humans or supernatural beings; (4) disposition or state of mind—ranging from courage and will to anger or mood. Less commonly, it can refer to the direction from which the wind blows (a 'quarter' or region). The term is used both concretely (physical wind, breath) and abstractly (vital, mental, or spiritual faculties). The semantic range further covers idiomatic senses such as vanity or unsubstantiality, where something is likened to insubstantial wind.

Semantic Range

wind, breath, spirit, emotional state, courage, anger, attitude, animating force of life, direction (quarter), vanity, unsubstantiality, divine or supernatural presence

Root / Etymology

From the root ריח (ר-ו-ח), meaning 'to blow, breathe, smell.' רוּחַ is the nominal form referring to the result or product of blowing or breathing: wind, breath, or an animating element. Although the same spelling is used for the root and the noun, the root concept is the physical or vital act of blowing or movement of air.

Historical & Contextual Notes

רוּחַ occurs throughout the Hebrew Bible, where its usage often depends on context to distinguish 'wind,' 'breath,' or 'spirit.' In early Israelite texts, it predominantly refers to literal wind or breath. Over time, especially in poetic and prophetic literature, רוּחַ acquires metaphorical connotations, representing inner qualities or divine activity (e.g., 'spirit of Yhwh'). The term may denote emotional states (e.g., troubled spirit, afflicted spirit), attitudes (e.g., 'spirit of wisdom'), or personal resolve. Later biblical and Second Temple texts increasingly use רוּחַ for supernatural beings or powers. English translations often use 'spirit,' but the Hebrew word does not carry the strict philosophical or religious sense of a distinct, immaterial soul as in some later traditions. Other Hebrew terms for soul or life, such as נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh), overlap but do not fully equate with רוּחַ; נֶפֶשׁ generally refers more to the 'self' or physical life, while רוּחַ highlights movement, force, or invisible energy. In later periods, especially in post-biblical and rabbinic literature, רוּחַ develops further to embrace ideas of personal or divine presence. The translation 'Jew' or 'Jewish spirit' for רוּחַ appears only in much later contexts and is anachronistic for biblical usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from רוּחַ; 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); air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y).

Bantu Hebrew

Language Bantu Word Transliteration Meaning
Swahili Roho Roho spirit, soul
+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

רוח (r-w-ḥ) — blowing, breathing, moving air

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7304 רָוַח those given relief
H7305 רֶוַח open relief-space
H7306 רוּחַ I cause to smell
H7308 רוּחַ breath-wind of
H7309 רְוָחָה breathing space

Word Forms

33 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7307-16 ר֣וּחַ rucha HNcbsc spirit breath of 206
H7307-30 וְ/ר֣וּחַ verucha HC/Ncbsc and wind and wind-of 38
H7307-22 רוּחִ֤/י ruchi HNcbsc/Sp1cs my spirit my breath-spirit 29
H7307-07 הָ/ר֛וּחַ harucha HTd/Ncbsa the spirit the wind-breath 19
H7307-23 רוּח֔/וֹ rucho HNcbsc/Sp3ms his spirit his animating breath 15
H7307-24 רוּח֗וֹת ruchot HNcbpa winds winds 10
H7307-02 בְּ/ר֨וּחַ berucha HR/Ncbsc with wind in wind 6
H7307-06 בְּ/רוּח֥/וֹ berucho HR/Ncbsc/Sp3ms with his wind in his breath-spirit 5
H7307-27 וּ/בְ/ר֤וּחַ uverucha HC/R/Ncbsc and at the blast and in wind-breath 4
H7307-12 לְ/ר֣וּחַ lerucha HR/Ncbsc [as]-wind to wind 4

Occurrences in Scripture

378 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7307-30 Genesis 1:2 וְ/ר֣וּחַ verucha HC/Ncbsc and the Spirit and wind-of
H7307-12 Genesis 3:8 לְ/ר֣וּחַ lerucha HR/Ncbsc in the cool to wind
H7307-22 Genesis 6:3 רוּחִ֤/י ruchi HNcbsc/Sp1cs my Spirit my breath-spirit
H7307-16 Genesis 6:17 ר֣וּחַ rucha HNcbsc breath breath of
H7307-16 Genesis 7:15 ר֥וּחַ rucha HNcbsc breath breath of
H7307-16 Genesis 7:22 ר֨וּחַ rucha HNcbsa of the spirit breath of
H7307-16 Genesis 8:1 ר֨וּחַ֙ rucha HNcbsa a wind breath of
H7307-16 Genesis 26:35 ר֑וּחַ rucha HNcbsa of spirit breath of
H7307-23 Genesis 41:8 רוּח֔/וֹ rucho HNcbsc/Sp3ms his spirit his animating breath
H7307-16 Genesis 41:38 ר֥וּחַ rucha HNcbsc the Spirit breath of