All word studies
Spirit in the Bible
The Bible's two main words for spirit — ruach in Hebrew and pneuma in Greek — both mean wind, breath, or spirit. They are used of the wind that blows, the breath of life, and the Spirit of God who hovered over the waters and now indwells the believer.
Greek & Hebrew words
Greek (New Testament)
Key KJV verses
All verses →John 3:8
“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”Read in context
Romans 8:16
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”Read in context
Acts 2:4
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”Read in context
Ruach: breath and Spirit
Ruach (H7307) is the same word for wind, breath, and Spirit. In Ezekiel 37 the same ruach blows the dry bones to life — anticipating Pentecost.
Pneuma: the Spirit who indwells
Pneuma (G4151) carries the same range. Jesus uses the play on words in John 3 — the wind/Spirit blows where it wills.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Hebrew word for Spirit?
Ruach (רוּחַ, Strong's H7307).
What is the Greek word for Spirit?
Pneuma (πνεῦμα, Strong's G4151).