ruach
/ˈruːɑːx/
noun
Origin
Proto-Semitic
r-w-ḥ — to breathe, to be wide
Overview
Meaning Now
- A word from the Hebrew Bible referring to wind, breath, or spirit.
- The divine power or inspiration often associated with the presence of God.
Literal older meaning
breath or wind
Language path
Proto-Semitic → Biblical Hebrew → Modern Hebrew
Earliest form
רוח
Earliest period
Iron Age
Journey
In the Hebrew Bible, 'ruach' conveys a complex range of meanings spanning physical phenomena (wind), biological life (breath), and theological concepts (the spirit of God or the inner spirit of man). It is often linked to the concept of movement and vitality.
Evolution
- Proto-Semitic
*rawḥ-
“breath, wind”
- Biblical Hebrew
רוּחַ (ruaḥ)
“wind, breath, spirit”
Connections
Word parts
r-w-ḥ
root
consonantal root related to breath or wind
Related across languages
Arabic
rūḥ
spirit, soul
Aramaic
rūḥā
wind, spirit
Explore next
Related to ruach
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.