3505 — The Occurrence of "Ruach"
By Editor
In "Topical Bible Studies," published by your office, page 19, second paragraph, I read, "Ruach occurs in the Old Testament 442 times." Is this correct? Does the editor know it to be correct? We give as the authority of its occurrence "The Companion Bible," published by the Oxford Bible Company. It declares in its appendix, "The word ruach occurs 389 times in the Hebrew Old Testament." In the Authorized Version it is rendered "spirit" in 237 passages, and no other word is rendered "spirit" except n'shamah, "breath," in Job 26:4 and Prov. 20:27. In the remaining 152 places it is translated in 22 different ways. In the Revised Version it is rendered "spirit" 224 times. It is first rendered "the Spirit of Jehovah," "the Holy Spirit," "the invisible, divine power manifesting itself in creation," etc. The invisible part of man, the invisible characteristics of man. It is rendered "breath," "spirit," "wind," "courage," "anger," "blast," sometimes put for the whole person, sometimes for angels, cherubim, and evil angels. We believe that this work can be thoroly relied upon. In each instance of its occurrence the passage is given. We have not space for these passages in the "Question Corner."