Sometimes the Hebrew word "breath" is translated to "spirit" according to:

Therefore, modern bible translations may differ on this subject, for example:

Who has helped you utter these words? And whose spirit spoke from your mouth? -- Job 26:4 (NIV)

versus

With whose help have you uttered words, and whose breath has come out from you? -- Job 26:4 (ESV)

The Hebrew word "spirit" is also ambiguous according to:

Depending on the bible translator's understanding of what a spirit is, you get very different translated texts. For example:

I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understanding inspires me to reply. -- Job 20:3 (NIV)

or

I’ve had to endure your insults, but now my spirit prompts me to reply. -- Job 20:3 (NLT)

or

I hear censure that insults me, and out of my understanding a spirit answers me. -- Job 20:3 (ESV)

or

I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer. -- Job 20:3 (KJV)

or

You have accused and insulted me, and reason requires a reply. -- Job 20:3 (CEV)

or

I have heard criticism that makes me ashamed, but a spirit beyond my understanding gives me answers. -- Job 20:3 (GOD'S WORD)

or

What you have said is an insult, but I know how to reply to you. -- Job 20:3 (GNT)

or

Whenever I hear an insulting rebuke, I respond from my spirit because I understand. -- Job 20:3 (ISV)

More examples of "ruach":

• "ruach" as "wind": Genesis 8:1; Exodus 10:13; 1 Kings 18:45; Job 21:18; Psalms 1:4, 18:42; Proverbs 25:14; Isaiah 17:13; Jeremiah 2:24
• "ruach" as "breath": Job 7:7, 19:17; Psalms 135:17; Isa. 30:28, 33:11
• "ruach" as "God's Holy Spirit": Isaiah 11:2, 61:1 (quoted by Matthew 12:18 and Luke 4:18)
• "ruach" as "God's gifted ability" (activated by God's Holy Spirit): Exodus 31:3, 35:31; Numbers 11:16-17,24-25, 24:2, 27:18; Judges 3:10; 1 Chronicles 12:18; Psalm 51:11; Isaiah 42:1, 63:11; Ezekiel 2:2
• "ruach" as "good spirit beings": Psalm 104:4
• "ruach" as "evil spirit beings": Judges 9:23; 1 Samuel 16:16; Job 4:15; Isaiah 19:14; Zechariah 13:2
  • "spirit of jealousy": Numbers 5:14
  • "lying spirit": 1 Kings 22:23
  • "spirit of prostitution": Hosea 5:4

The Greek word for "spirit" according to Strong's Concordance:

This was certainly true [that “pneuma” is used for “wind”] in the secular Greek writings, but it is not used that way in the New Testament unless Hebrews 1:7 is an example.

...

It was common in Greek writings for pneuma to be used of breath, but it is uncommon in the Bible.

-- Appendix 15 - Revised English Version

Examples of "pneuma":

• "pneuma" as "God's Holy Spirit": Luke 1:15,41,67, 2:25, 3:22
• "pneuma" as "good spirit beings": Hebrews 1:14; Revelation 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6
• "pneuma" as "unclean spirit beings": Matthew 10:1

Other spirits mentioned in the Bible:

• life-giving spirit (pneuma) - referring to Christ: 1 Corinthians 15:45; Revelation 2:7,11,17,29; 3:6,13,22; 14:13; 22:17

How could Jesus be considered "the spirit" if Luke 24:39 indicates that Jesus is not a spirit?

1 Corinthians 15:44 states that all living beings have a spiritual body. Since Jesus is already resurrected and exalted, I assume he lives now in his spiritual body.

Defining a spirit according to the Bible

Jesus stated that he was not a spirit:

A spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have. -- Luke 24:39 (ESV)

However, every person have "a spiritual body":

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. -- 1 Corinthians 15:44 (ESV)

Solomon taught that living beings have spirits:

The dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. -- Ecclesiastes 12:7

This complements what James said:

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. -- James 2:26 (ESV)

This study is part of an ongoing research project and may contain errors.