How do you think of holy spirit? In this lecture we’ll build up a biblical theology of the spirit, in an effort to comprehend its variegated facets. We’ll consider the Old Testament and the Synoptic Gospels before spending a good deal of time in John, looking at the fascinating way that Jesus talks about the spirit in the upper room discourse.
The Old Testament on Spirit
How ruach is translating in the NASB:
air 2
anger 1
blast 2
breath 31
breathless 1
cool 1
courage 1
despondency 1
exposed 1
grief 1
heart 1
inspired 1
mind 3
motives 1
points 1
side 4
sides 2
Spirit 76
spirit 127
spirits 3
strength 1
temper 2
thoughts 1
trustworthy 1
wind 98
winds 7
windy 2
wrath 1
Dictionary of Judaism in the Biblical Period
When used of living beings, ruach refers to the essence of the life and vitality in both human beings and animals that is manifested through movement and breathing (Genesis 2:7; 6:17; 7:15; Numbers 16:22; Ezekiel 10:17). Just as “spirit” was considered the essence of human life, so analogously the term “spirit” was used of the presence, activity, and power of God, that is, characteristics that demonstrate that God is truly a “living God” (Deuteronomy 5:26; Joshua 3:10; 1 Samuel 7:26; Isaiah 37:4; Daniel 6:20; Matthew 16:16; Revelation 7:2).
Jacob Neusner, William Scott Green editors, Dictionary of Judaism in the Biblical Period ©1996, Hendrickson Publishers, page 298
New Bible Dictionary
At its heart is the experience of a mysterious, awesome power—the mighty invisible force of the wind, the mystery of vitality, the otherly power that transforms—all ruach, all manifestations of divine energy.
JDG Douglas, New Bible Dictionary (second edition) ©1962, ed. By JD Douglas, FF Bruce, JI Packer, N Hillyer, D Guthrie, AR Millard, DJ Wiseman, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., pages 1137
James Dunn on the Holy Spirit
There can be little doubt that from the earliest stages of pre-Christian Judaism, ‘spirit’ (ruach) denoted power—the aweful, mysterious force of the wind (ruach), of the breath (ruach) of life, of ecstatic inspiration (induced by divine ruach)…In other words, on this understanding, Spirit of God is in no sense distinct from God, but is simply the power of God, God himself acting powerfully in nature and upon men.
James DG Dunn, Christology in the Making (second edition) ©1989, Eerdmans Publishing Co., page 133.
Examples of Ruach:
- The spirit of God may be taken from one and distributed to others (Numbers 11:17)
- inspire prophecy (Numbers 11:25, 29; 24:2-3; 1 Samuel 10:6, 10; 1 Chronicles 12:18; 2 Chronicles 15:1; 20:14; 24:20; Nehemiah 9:30; Zechariah 7:12)
- be a way God speaks to people (2 Samuel 23:2)
- lead someone to a different location (1 Kings 18:12)
- transport someone from one location to another (2 Kings 2:16)
- be defined parallel with the anointing of Yahweh (Isaiah 61:1 cp. Acts 10:38)
- empower leaders to judge/rule the people (Judges 3:10)
- impart warlike energy/confidence (Judges 6:34; 11:29; 14:6, 19)
- supply supernatural strength (Judges 15:14)
- cause righteous anger (1 Samuel 11:6-7)
- impart regeneration/peace (Isaiah 32:15)
- give the Messiah wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, th