Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, April 25th, 2024
the Fourth Week after Easter
the Fourth Week after Easter
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Bible Dictionaries
Breath
Vine's Expository Dictionary of OT Words
or Resource Toolbox
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Hebel (הֲבֵל, Strong's #1892), “breath; vanity; idol.” Cognates of this noun occur in Syriac, late Aramaic, and Arabic. All but 4 of its 72 occurrences are in poetry (37 in Ecclesiastes). First, the word represents human “breath” as a transitory thing: “I loathe it; I would not live always: let me alone; for my days are vanity [literally, but a breath]” (Job 7:16). Second, hebel means something meaningless and purposeless: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity” (Eccl. 1:2). Third, this word signifies an “idol,” which is unsubstantial, worthless, and vain: “They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities …” (Deut. 32:21—the first occurrence).
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
These files are public domain.
Bibliography Information
Vines, W. E., M. A. Entry for 'Breath'. Vine's Expository Dictionary of OT Words. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/vot/b/breath.html. 1940.
Vines, W. E., M. A. Entry for 'Breath'. Vine's Expository Dictionary of OT Words. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/vot/b/breath.html. 1940.
