← H7307 H7309 →

רוּחַ

𐤓𐤅𐤇

rûwach

H7308 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Primary lexical meaning: wind, breath, spirit. In Aramaic contexts, רוּחַ most often denotes a movement of air (wind), but is also used figuratively for the animating force within living beings (breath, life-force) and, by further extension, for disposition, intent, or mental state (spirit, mind). In some passages, it refers to a supernatural or divine presence (spirit), though such usage is comparatively rare outside of later or poetic texts. Less commonly, it can denote a region or direction of the sky (compass point).

Semantic Range

wind, breeze, breath, animating force, life-principle, mindset, attitude, mental disposition, supernatural or divine spirit, region of the sky (compass direction)

Root / Etymology

From the root רוּחַ (ר-ו-ח), originally signifying 'to blow' or 'to breathe'; the noun derives directly from this verbal idea of movement or force of air.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (primarily Daniel and Ezra), רוּחַ is used with much the same range as the Hebrew form, but usually with less emphasis on supernatural senses and more on natural or psychological referents. Its most frequent uses refer to either literal wind or metaphorical extension to 'spirit' as the inner being, attitude, or life principle of humans. Only occasionally is the term used for supernatural beings, and rarely as a generic 'spirit' in the later sense. In Daniel, רוּחַ can describe a 'spirit of the gods' or an exceptional quality of mind or wisdom (Dan 5:11). English translations often render the word as 'spirit,' 'wind,' or 'mind' depending on context, but may obscure the lexical overlap between physical and immaterial senses. The term shares close semantic territory with Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, 'life, soul') and לֵב/לֵבָב (lev/levav, 'heart, mind'), but רוּחַ specifically emphasizes force, movement, or motivating power—whether as literal gust, animating breath, or inner disposition.

Translation Consistency

primary "spirit" 9 occurrences

Most natural and typical rendering for רוּחַ across its primary semantic range — animating breath/life, mindset/disposition, and divine presence. In the provided P2 data 'spirit' is the majority choice (8 of 11). 'Spirit' also naturally covers figurative senses; rarer literal senses (wind, compass point) can be handled by context or phrasing while keeping a single consistent headword.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"wind" (1x) "winds of" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to 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)}; mind, spirit, wind.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

רוּחַ (rûwach) — to breathe, to blow, to smell, to perceive by scent

Root רוּחַ to blow, to breathe, movement of air
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H7306 רוּחַ I cause to smell
H7307 רוּחַ wind-breath

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H7308-01 רוּחָ֔/א rucha ANcfsd/Td spirit breath-wind of spirit of 8
H7308-02 רוּחֵ֣י ruchey ANcfpc winds winds of winds of 1
H7308-03 רוּחִ֛/י ruchi ANcfsc/Sp1cs my spirit my breath-spirit my spirit 1
H7308-04 וְ/רוּחֵ֖/הּ verucheh AC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms and his spirit his breath-spirit and his spirit 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H7308-01 Daniel 2:35 רוּחָ֔/א rucha ANcfsd/Td the wind breath-wind of the wind
H7308-01 Daniel 4:5 רֽוּחַ rucha ANcfsc spirit breath-wind of spirit of
H7308-01 Daniel 4:6 ר֣וּחַ rucha ANcfsc spirit breath-wind of spirit of
H7308-01 Daniel 4:15 רֽוּחַ rucha ANcfsc spirit breath-wind of spirit of
H7308-01 Daniel 5:11 ר֣וּחַ rucha ANcfsc spirit breath-wind of spirit of
H7308-01 Daniel 5:12 ר֣וּחַ rucha ANcfsa spirit breath-wind of spirit of
H7308-01 Daniel 5:14 ר֥וּחַ rucha ANcfsc spirit breath-wind of spirit of
H7308-04 Daniel 5:20 וְ/רוּחֵ֖/הּ verucheh AC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms and his spirit his breath-spirit and his spirit
H7308-01 Daniel 6:4 ר֤וּחַ rucha ANcfsa spirit breath-wind of spirit of
H7308-02 Daniel 7:2 רוּחֵ֣י ruchey ANcfpc winds winds of winds of
H7308-03 Daniel 7:15 רוּחִ֛/י ruchi ANcfsc/Sp1cs my spirit my breath-spirit my spirit
← H7307 Hebrew Lexicon H7309 →