The meaning of spirit in the Old Testament

[Guest guest]

The meaning of " spirit " in the Old Testament

 

" The many meanings of the Hebrew term ruah, used in the Bible to

designate the Spirit, seem to give rise to some confusion. Indeed. in

a given text, it is often not possible to determine the exact meaning

of the word. One might waver between wind and breath, between breath

and spirit, or between created spirit and the divine Spirit.

 

This multiplicity, however. has a certain wealth, for it establishes

a fruitful communication between so many realities. In this regard it

is better to give up in part the pretences of neat reasoning in order

to embrace broader perspectives. When we think of the Holy Spirit, it

is useful to remember that his biblica1 name means " breath " , and that

it is related to the powerful blowing of the wind and to our own

intimate breathing. Rather than clinging to an over-intellectual and

arid concept, we will find it helpful to take in this wealth of

images and facts. Translations, unfortunately are unable to convey

them to us completely, for they are often obliged to choose other

terms. To render the Hebrew word ruah, the Greek translation of the

Septuagint uses twenty-four different terms and so does not permit

one to see all the connections between the texts of the Hebrew Bible.

 

To end this terminological analysis of the Old Testament texts

concerning ruah, we can say that the breath of God appears in them as

the power that gives life to creatures. It appears as a profound

reality of God which works deep within man. It appears as a

manifestation of God's dynamism which is communicated to creatures.

 

Though not yet understood as a distinct Person in the context of the

divine being, the " breath " or " Spirit " of God is distinguishable in

some way from the God who sends it to operate in creatures. Thus,

even from the literary point of view the human mind is gradually

prepared to receive the revelation of the Person of the Holy Spirit

who will appear as the expression of God's intimate life and

omnipotence. "

 

www.miraclerosarymission.org

 

 

" The Self is the Spirit. This Spirit resides in the heart of every

human being and is in a witness-like state. The Spirit is the

projection of God Almighty, while the Kundalini is the projection of

the power of God, of His desire which is the Primordial Mother, or

you can call it Adi Shakti, Holy Ghost or Athena.

 

So the Kundalini is the projection of the Holy Ghost, while the

Spirit is the projection of God Almighty. The All-pervading Power of

love is the power of the Primordial Mother, which creates and

evolves, and does all the living work. "

 

Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi