נְשָׁמָ֖ה
𐤍𐤔𐤌𐤄
nᵉshâmâh
breath
Breath; specifically, the act or process of breathing as the marker of animate life. In extension, living being; in specialized contexts, often denotes vital breath—what distinguishes the living from the dead. In poetical and some prose texts, may refer to (human or animal) life-force, distinguishing the living from inanimate matter. Can figuratively denote the living creature itself, understood as one possessing breath; rarely used to represent conscious intellect. In some contexts, particularly in later or poetic passages, used to express the idea of the animating force or capacity for life, occasionally with implications of divine bestowal of life.
Isaiah 2:22 · Word #6
Lexicon H5397
| Lemma | נְשָׁמָה |
| Lemma (Paleo) | 𐤍𐤔𐤌𐤄 |
| Transliteration | nᵉshâmâh |
| Strong's | H5397 |
| Definition | Breath; specifically, the act or process of breathing as the marker of animate life. In extension, living being; in specialized contexts, often denotes vital breath—what distinguishes the living from the dead. In poetical and some prose texts, may refer to (human or animal) life-force, distinguishing the living from inanimate matter. Can figuratively denote the living creature itself, understood as one possessing breath; rarely used to represent conscious intellect. In some contexts, particularly in later or poetic passages, used to express the idea of the animating force or capacity for life, occasionally with implications of divine bestowal of life. |
Morphology HNcfsa
All morphology codes
| Part of Speech | N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea |
| Subtype | c — Common — Common noun |
| Gender | f — Feminine — Feminine |
| Number | s — Singular — Singular |
| State | a — Absolute — The noun stands independently |
Common Translation
| Phrase | breath |
SIBI-P1 Translation H5397-03
vital breath
| Morphological Notes | Feminine singular common noun, absolute state. |
| Rendering Rationale | The noun נְשָׁמָה derives from נשם ('to breathe') and denotes the breath that marks animate life. "Vital breath" preserves the root sense of breathing while reflecting its specialized use for life-giving breath rather than abstract "soul." |
View full lexicon entry for H5397 →
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