Exactly What Is A Soul?

Common Sense Commentary:

The O.T. Hebrew word nephesh , translated "soul" 428 times is also translated "life" 119 times, "person" 30 times, "self" 19 times, "heart" 15 times, "mind" 15 times, "body" 7 times, "desire" 5 times, and "will" 4 times.

The N.T. Greek word psuche,  translated "soul" 58 times, is also translated "life" 40 times, "mind" 3 times and "heart" 1 time.

There are, of course, a multitude of verses in the Bible that yield up a huge amount of additional information on the definition of a soul or the spiritual, physical, and emotional experiences of souls. But let me get you started with your study of the soul with a few key verses. First, the very first reference in the Bible, to a soul, is Gen.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." In this verse we see what man's body is, "formed of the dust of the ground".... with "nostrils" and of course a full compliment of body parts. We also see God "breathing the breath of life", which is no doubt the life and spiritual side of man, into the body He has formed. But, then it says, "and man became a living soul".  This phrase would seem to say that man does not "have" a soul, but "is" a soul.  Man's body was just a dead, clay doll before the breath of God was breathed into him.

We also have words of Jesus relating to the difference between our "bodies" and our "souls", in Matt. 10:28  "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
Whatever the "soul" is, men cannot kill it as they can kill the fleshly body.


The Apostle Paul seems to give a clear distinction between spirit, soul and body in
1 Thess.5:23 "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Hebrews 4:12 also makes a difference between the soul, spirit, and body.  "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

My reason for today's blog is to send you to your Bible for answers. Please don't send me comments or questions until you have read every verse in your Bible related to the soul, spirit, heart and mind. A Bible Concordance (book) or a free Bible program on your computer will give you all the listings of those words in their verses, and in context, so you can compare and categorize them. Just Google "Free Online Bible Search Engine", and pick the one you like. I use the King James Version Concordance.

I will return to this subject later on. RB









Matthew 10:28  



Hebrews 4:12