רוּחַ
Ruach
Wind, breeze, breath of nature
Ruach (רוּחַ) is a Hebrew word meaning “wind, breeze, breath of nature,” pronounced “RU-akh.” Derived from the root ר-ו-ח, ruach appears 389 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H7307).
| Hebrew | רוּחַ |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Ruach |
| Pronunciation | RU-akh |
| Meaning | Wind, breeze, breath of nature |
| Root Letters | ר-ו-ח |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 389× |
| Key Verse | Ecclesiastes 1:6 |
| Strong's Number | H7307 |
| Category | Nature & Creation |
While ruach (רוּחַ) is best known as the Hebrew word for 'spirit,' its most fundamental meaning is physical wind — the invisible, powerful, untameable force of nature. This dual meaning is not accidental; it reveals something profound about Hebrew thought. The same word that describes the gale that split the rocks before Elijah on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:11) also describes the Spirit of God hovering over creation (Genesis 1:2). When Ecclesiastes observes the ruach blowing south and circling north in its mysterious circuits (1:6), it marvels at a natural phenomenon that remarkably anticipates modern meteorology. God challenged Job, 'Do you know the way of the ruach?' (Job 38:24, paraphrased), humbling human wisdom before the mystery of wind. In Hebrew, wind is never merely atmospheric — it is always a reminder that an invisible, powerful force pervades creation, and that force ultimately points to God Himself. Jesus drew on this exact connection when He told Nicodemus, 'The ruach blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit' (John 3:8). Understanding ruach as wind enriches your understanding of ruach as Spirit — both are invisible, powerful, and beyond human control.
Key Bible Verse: Ecclesiastes 1:6
“The wind (ruach) blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns.”
What Is the Root of Ruach in Hebrew?
Ruach encompasses spirit, wind, and breath in a single word — reflecting the Hebrew conviction that the natural and spiritual realms are inseparable. The root ר-ו-ח may relate to the sensation of air moving, the most fundamental experience of an invisible force.
What Does Ruach Mean in the Bible?
Of ruach's 389 occurrences in the Hebrew Bible, approximately one-third refer to physical wind. Key passages include the east wind that parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21), the wind that brought quail (Numbers 11:31), and the wind on Horeb before God's still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-12).
How Is Ruach Used in Modern Hebrew?
Israel experiences the 'Sharav' (also called Khamsin) — a hot, dry east wind from the desert that occurs in transitional seasons. The 'Ruach Kadim' (east wind) is referenced throughout Scripture as both a natural phenomenon and a symbol of God's judgment.
How to Use Ruach in Prayer & Worship
Like the wind, God's Spirit moves in ways you cannot see or predict. Pray for sensitivity to the ruach — both the gentle whisper and the powerful gale of God's presence moving in your life and in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ruach
How do you say “Wind” in Hebrew?
“Wind” in Hebrew is Ruach (רוּחַ), pronounced “RU-akh.” Ruach encompasses spirit, wind, and breath in a single word — reflecting the Hebrew conviction that the natural and spiritual realms are inseparable. The root ר-ו-ח may relate to the sensation of air moving, the most fundamental experience of an invisible force.
What does Ruach mean in the Bible?
Ruach (רוּחַ) means “Wind, breeze, breath of nature” in Biblical Hebrew. Of ruach's 389 occurrences in the Hebrew Bible, approximately one-third refer to physical wind. Key passages include the east wind that parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21), the wind that brought quail (Numbers 11:31), and the wind on Horeb before God's still small voice (1 Kings 19:11-12).
How do you pronounce Ruach?
Ruach is pronounced “RU-akh.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ר-ו-ח.
Is ruach the same word for wind and Spirit in Hebrew?
Yes — ruach is one word that means wind, breath, and spirit simultaneously. Context determines the primary meaning, but the overlap is theologically intentional. God's Spirit is like wind: invisible, powerful, and uncontrollable. Jesus made this connection explicit in John 3:8 when He used the same Greek word (pneuma) to describe both wind and Spirit, mirroring the Hebrew ruach.
What was the east wind in the Exodus?
God used a strong east ruach (wind) to part the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21). The east wind in the Bible often carries theological significance: it brought the locust plague on Egypt (Exodus 10:13), dried the sea for Israel's crossing, and in Jonah 4:8 was a scorching wind. The east wind represents God's sovereign power operating through natural forces.
Why was God not in the wind on Mount Horeb?
In 1 Kings 19:11-12, God sent a great wind, earthquake, and fire before Elijah — but God was 'not in' any of them. Instead, God spoke in a 'still small voice' (qol demamah daqqah). This passage teaches that while God can use dramatic natural forces, His preferred mode of communication is intimate and quiet. Elijah needed to learn that God's power is not always loud.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H7307: Ruach
- Bible Gateway — Ecclesiastes 1:6 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for ר-ו-ח
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