Genesis 2:7
"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground,.... Not of dry dust, but, as Josephus (h) says, of red earth macerated, or mixed with water; the like notion Hesiod (i) has; or out of clay, as in Job 33:6 hence a word is made use of, translated "formed", which is used of the potter that forms his clay into what shape he pleases: the original matter of which man was made was

clay; hence the clay of Prometheus (k) with the Heathens; and God is the Potter that formed him, and gave him the shape he has, see Isa 64:8 , there are two "jods", it is observed, in the word, which is not usual; respecting, as Jarchi thinks, the formation of man for this world, and for the resurrection of the dead; but rather the two fold formation of body and soul, the one is expressed here, and the other in the following clause: and this, as it shows the mighty power of God in producing such a creature out of the dust of the earth, so it serves to humble the pride of man, when he considers he is of the earth, earthy, dust, and ashes, is dust, and to dust he must return. And breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; which in that way entered into his body, and quickened it, which before was a lifeless lump of clay, though beautifully shapen: it is in the plural number, the "breath of lives" (l), including the vegetative, sensitive, and rational life of man. And this was produced not with his body, as the souls of brutes were, and was produced by the breath of God, as theirs were not; nor theirs out of the earth, as his body was: and these two different productions show the different nature of the soul and body of man, the one is material and mortal, the other immaterial and immortal: and man became a living soul; or a living man, not only capable of performing the functions of the animal life, of eating, drinking, walking, &c. but of thinking, reasoning, and discoursing as a rational creature. (h) Antiqu. l. 1. c. 1. (i) Opera & dies, ver. 60. (k) Martial. l. 10. Epigram. 38. (l) Heb. "spiraculum vitarum", Pareus.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (16 words)

H3335 יָצַר
Definition:

10;יָצָ֑רGenesis 2:8; suffixיְצָרָהּIsaiah 45:18; 2masculineיָצַרְתָּPsalm 104:268t. Perfect;Imperfect3masculineוַיִּ֫יצֶרGenesis 2:7;וַיִּ֫צֶרGenesis 2:19; suffixיִצְּרֵהוּIsaiah 44:12; 1singular suf 10;יָצָ֑רGenesis 2:8; suffixיְצָרָהּIsaiah 45:18; 2masculineיָצַרְתָּPsalm 104:268t. Perfect;Imperfect3masculineוַיִּ֫יצֶרGenesis 2:7;וַיִּ֫צֶרGenesis 2:19; suffixיִצְּרֵהוּIsaiah 44:12; 1singular suf

Possible Meanings:
  • form (semantic_range)
  • framing (semantic_range)
  • purpose (semantic_range)
  • pottery (semantic_range)
H3068 יְהוָֹה
Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:
  • Yahweh (semantic_range)
  • the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
  • life-giver (semantic_range)
H0430 אֱלהִים
Definition:

33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power 33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

Possible Meanings:
  • divine ones (semantic_range)
  • angels (semantic_range)
  • gods (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H0120 אָדָם
Definition:

27man, mankind(Phoenicianאדם, Sabeanid., CISiv.1,l.4and others; compare Assyrianadmu,young(of bird) DlW, but NöZMG 1886, 722identification with Arabiccollectivecreatures) — Singular absolute except co 27man, mankind(Phoenicianאדם, Sabeanid., CISiv.1,l.4and others; compare Assyrianadmu,young(of bird) DlW, but NöZMG 1886, 722identification with Arabiccollectivecreatures) — Singular absolute except co

Possible Meanings:
  • carnelian (semantic_range)
  • redness (semantic_range)
H6083 עָפָר
Definition:

42dry earth, dust; — absolute׳עGenesis 2:7+, constructעֲפַרGenesis 13:16+; suffixעֲפָרֵךְEzekiel 26:12,עֲפָרוֺDeuteronomy 9:21, etc.; plural constructעַפְרֹתJob 28:6;Proverbs 8:26; —1literally:a.dry, 42dry earth, dust; — absolute׳עGenesis 2:7+, constructעֲפַרGenesis 13:16+; suffixעֲפָרֵךְEzekiel 26:12,עֲפָרוֺDeuteronomy 9:21, etc.; plural constructעַפְרֹתJob 28:6;Proverbs 8:26; —1literally:a.dry,

Possible Meanings:
  • young hart (semantic_range)
  • stag (semantic_range)
H4480 מִן
Definition:

2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than - 2; 2Chronicles 20:11) contracted toמִי(asמִידֵיfromמִיְּדֵי), before guttural andר, mostlyמֵ, occasionallyמִ(Ges§ 102, l R.; more fully Köii. 291ff),מִןbefore article in all books much commoner than -

Possible Meanings:
  • out of (semantic_range)
  • by (semantic_range)
  • by reason of (semantic_range)
  • at (semantic_range)
H0127 אֲדָמָה
Definition:

25+; constructאַדְמַתGenesis 47:20+;suffixאַדְמָתִיJob 31:382t. etc.;pluralאֲדָמוֺתPsalm 49:12—1ground(as tilled, yielding sustenance)Genesis 2:5,9;Genesis 3:17,23;Genesis 4:2,3,12;Genesis 5:29;Genesi 25+; constructאַדְמַתGenesis 47:20+;suffixאַדְמָתִיJob 31:382t. etc.;pluralאֲדָמוֺתPsalm 49:12—1ground(as tilled, yielding sustenance)Genesis 2:5,9;Genesis 3:17,23;Genesis 4:2,3,12;Genesis 5:29;Genesi

Possible Meanings:
  • land (semantic_range)
  • piece of ground (semantic_range)
H5301 נָפַח
Definition:

4a furnace blown upon(heated hot); Late Hebrewנָפַחid.,ᵑ7נְפַח, Syriac; Assyriannapâ—u,inflame,nappa—u,smithDlHWB 474; Arabic (and)blow; EthiopicorDi712); —QalPerfect3feminine singularנָָֽפְחָהJeremia 4a furnace blown upon(heated hot); Late Hebrewנָפַחid.,ᵑ7נְפַח, Syriac; Assyriannapâ—u,inflame,nappa—u,smithDlHWB 474; Arabic (and)blow; EthiopicorDi712); —QalPerfect3feminine singularנָָֽפְחָהJeremia

Possible Meanings:
  • breathe (semantic_range)
  • breathe (semantic_range)
  • a fire not blown (semantic_range)
H0639 אַף
Definition:

2nostril, nose, face, anger(Assyrianappu,faceFloodiii. 27, 29compare Hpt KAT2Gloss, Arabic, Ethiopicnose; Aramaic,אֲנְמִּיןface) — absolutePsalm 78:21+; constructGenesis 27:45+; suffixאַמּיExodus 22:2 2nostril, nose, face, anger(Assyrianappu,faceFloodiii. 27, 29compare Hpt KAT2Gloss, Arabic, Ethiopicnose; Aramaic,אֲנְמִּיןface) — absolutePsalm 78:21+; constructGenesis 27:45+; suffixאַמּיExodus 22:2

Possible Meanings:
  • also (semantic_range)
H5397 נְשָׁמָה
Definition:

169t.; constructנִשְׁמַת(compare LagBN 82)Genesis 2:710t.; suffixנִשְׁמָתִיJob 27:3;נִשְׁמָתוֺJob 34:14; pluralנְשָׁמוֺתIsaiah 57:16; —1breathof God as hot wind kindling a flameIsaiah 30:33; as destro 169t.; constructנִשְׁמַת(compare LagBN 82)Genesis 2:710t.; suffixנִשְׁמָתִיJob 27:3;נִשְׁמָתוֺJob 34:14; pluralנְשָׁמוֺתIsaiah 57:16; —1breathof God as hot wind kindling a flameIsaiah 30:33; as destro

H2416 חַי
Definition:

Fromchayah; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figurat Fromchayah; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figurat

H1961 הָיָה
Definition:

1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu 1+;וְהָיָהconsecutiveGenesis 4:14+; 3 feminine singularהָֽיְתָהGenesis 1:2+;הָיָ֑תָהIsaiah 14:243t.;וְהָֽיְתָהconsecutiveGenesis 9:13+;והית2Kings 9:37 Kt (Qrוְהָֽיְתָה); 2 masculine singularהָיִיתָDeu

Possible Meanings:
  • fall out (semantic_range)
  • come to pass (semantic_range)
  • become (semantic_range)
  • be (semantic_range)
  • Fall out (semantic_range)
H0120 אָדָם
Definition:

27man, mankind(Phoenicianאדם, Sabeanid., CISiv.1,l.4and others; compare Assyrianadmu,young(of bird) DlW, but NöZMG 1886, 722identification with Arabiccollectivecreatures) — Singular absolute except co 27man, mankind(Phoenicianאדם, Sabeanid., CISiv.1,l.4and others; compare Assyrianadmu,young(of bird) DlW, but NöZMG 1886, 722identification with Arabiccollectivecreatures) — Singular absolute except co

Possible Meanings:
  • carnelian (semantic_range)
  • redness (semantic_range)
H5315 נֶפֶשׁ
Definition:

6(so evenGenesis 2:19;Numbers 31:28;1 Kings 19:2see AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 42SS)soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion(Ecclus 3:18; 4:1 (twice in verse); Ecclesias 6(so evenGenesis 2:19;Numbers 31:28;1 Kings 19:2see AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 42SS)soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion(Ecclus 3:18; 4:1 (twice in verse); Ecclesias

Possible Meanings:
  • take breath (semantic_range)
  • refresh oneself (semantic_range)
  • take breath (semantic_range)
  • refresh oneself (semantic_range)
H2416 חַי
Definition:

Fromchayah; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figurat Fromchayah; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figurat

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