# ruach (רוּחַ)

pronounced: ROO-akh


**Spirit, breath, wind**

## In Scripture

> The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep and God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.
> — Genesis 1:2 (The first ruach in Scripture, hovering over creation)

> Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Don’t throw me from your presence, and don’t take your holy Spirit from me.
> — Psalm 51:10-11 (David's prayer — ruach used of both the human spirit and God's)

> Then he said to me, Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and tell the wind, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Come from the four winds, breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.
> — Ezekiel 37:9 (The dry bones — one Hebrew word carrying wind, breath and Spirit at once)

> “It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions.
> — Joel 2:28 (The promised outpouring Peter cites at Shavuot)


## How to read this entry

The definition comes from the IsraelForYou lexicon. Scripture quotations and their translation are named below; later tradition or modern usage is identified when it appears.


https://israelforyou.com/hebrew/ruach/