SPECIAL TOPIC: BREATH, WIND, SPIRIT

SPECIAL TOPIC: BREATH, WIND, SPIRIT (OT)

The Hebrew term ruach (BDB 924) and the Greek term pneuma can mean “spirit,” “breath” or “wind”
(see SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE
) The Spirit is
often associated with creation (cf. Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; Psalm 104:30). The OT does not clearly define the relationship between God and
His
Spirit (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TRINITY
). In Job 28:26-28; Ps. 104:24 and Pro. 3:19; 8:22-23 God used
“wisdom” (BDB 315, a
feminine noun, cf. Pro. 8:12) to create all things. In the NT Jesus is said to be God’s agent
in creation (cf. John 1:1-3; 1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:2-3). As in
redemption, so too, in creation, all three persons of the Godhead are involved.
Genesis 1 itself does not emphasize any secondary cause (cf. Isa. 45:5-7).