5. Which Hebrew and Greek words are translated as “soul” and “spirit”?
NOTE: ‘The words, “soul” and “spirit,” so often in modern theological parlance joined with the words, immortal, deathless, and never-dying, come from two words in the Hebrew, “nephesh” and “ruach,” and two corresponding words in Greek, “psuche” and “pneuma;” and these words are used in the aggregate in the Old and New Testaments seventeen hundred times, and yet not once are the terms immortal, deathless or never-dying, applied to them, or and other term which would convey the idea of an imperishable nature or continued existence in either the soul or spirit.’ Uriah Smith: The Bible Institute, page 177.
6. How are these words translated “spirit” used in the Bible and what do they actually mean?
NOTE: ‘“Ruach” Defined. For the definition of this word, we appeal again to Gesenius: [Hebrew word] 1. Breath, a breathing, blowing; i. e., (a) breath of the nostrils, a snuffing, snorting; (b) breath of the mouth. “Ruach” as used in the Scriptures. This word occurs in the Old Testament 442 times. The word “spirit” in every instance of its occurrence in the Old Testament, 234 times, is from this word, except in Job 26:4 and Proverbs 20:27, where it is from n'shah-mah. Besides being rendered 232 times “spirit,” it is translated “wind” 97 times, “breath” 28 times, “smell” 8 times, “mind” 6 times, “blast” 4 times, also “anger, courage, air,” etc., in all sixteen different ways.’ The Source Book for Bible Students, page 318.
‘“Pneuma” Defined. Robinson, in his Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, defines this word to mean, primarily, 1. A breathing, breath, breath of air, air in motion, 2. The spirit of man; i. e., the vital spirit, life, soul, the principle of life residing in the breath breathed into men from God, and again returning to God. “Spirit” in the New Testament is from the Greek [Greek word “pneuma”] in every instance. “Pneuma” as used in the Scriptures. This word occurs in the New Testament 385 times; and besides being rendered “spirit” 288 times, is rendered “ghost” 92 times, “wind” once, and “life” once, four different ways.’ The Source Book for Bible Students, page 318.