1. Introduction
Jonah 1:4 introduces the “great wind” God sent on the water to cause the great storm. The Hb word for wind, “ruakh,” has a wide range of dynamic meaning. The Gr equivalent, “pneuma,” likewise has a wide range of meaning. These two terms will be examined through the OT, LXX, and NT.
2. Lexical and Linguistic Background
The Hb “ruakh” is defined by Strongs as “wind,” “breath,” and “spirit,” among other more general definitions. This term is used abundantly through the OT, used 378 times in the WLC Hebrew OT. The Gr “pneuma” is likewise defined by Strongs as “current of air,” “breath,” and “spirit.” This term is used 287 times in the LXX Greek OT and 385 times in the TR Greek NT.
3. The word in the Bible
In Jonah 1:4, the “great wind” described which brings about the storm on the sea is the “ruakh-gedolah,” lit. “wind-great.” This is translated into the Gr LXX as Gr “pneuma,” dropping the “great” modifier. These terms have a wide range of semantic meaning and are used in different ways throughout the OT and NT.
The Hb “ruakh” is used with a multitude of meanings throughout the OT. Most notably of them is this term used as the “Spirit of God.” The first appearance, Genesis 1:2, says, “And the Spirit [Hb “ruakh”] of God moved upon the face of the waters.” This term is also used in Genesis 3:8 to describe the “cool [lit. “wind,” Hb “ruakh”] of the day.” Further, this term is used in Genesis 7:22 as “the breath [Hb “ruakh”] of life.”
The Gr “pneuma” is not always used to translate Hb “ruakh” in the LXX, but is a reliable choice. In the previous examples, Hb “ruakh” is translated as “pneuma” (Genesis 1:2), “deilinon” (lit. “cool,” Genesis 3:8), and “pnoe” (a sister of Gr “pneuma,” from Gr root “pneo,” Genesis 7:22). While Hb “ruakh” is not always translated as Gr “pneuma,” it is a reliable translation, as they have near interchangeable definitions.
The Gr “pneuma” is used frequently throughout the NT, especially of the Holy Spirit. The first appearance is in Matthew 1:18, where Mary is found “with child of the Holy Spirit [Gr “pneuma hagios”].” This is the same term used to describe “the poor in spirit [Gr “pneuma”],” (Matthew 5:3). Mark 6:7 uses this term to refer to “unclean spirits [Gr “pneuam”].” Interestingly, John 3:8 uses this term twice when explaining, “The wind [Gr “pneuma”] blows where it wishes…So is everyone who is born of the Spirit [Gr “pneuma”].”
5. Synthesis And Conclusion
The Hb “ruakh” and Gr “pneuma” both have a wide range of semantic meaning. Both can refer to wind, breath, or spirit, which makes them theologically significant descriptors for the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit or Spirit of God theology causes any wind from God to immediately be suspect as a significant spiritual act, especially in Jonah 1:4 with the “great wind” from before the Lord.
