The Hebrew word for “soul” is nefesh, but it does not mean a disembodied spirit that lives inside your body. In the Bible, nefesh refers to the whole person—a living, breathing being with physical needs, emotions, and desires. When God breathed life into Adam, he became a nefesh. Understanding this word helps us see that God cares for our entire existence, not just our spiritual “inner self.”
The Living, Breathing Being
To understand the biblical meaning of “soul,” we have to look at the very beginning of the human story. In Genesis 2, God forms man from the dust of the ground and breathes life into his nostrils. The text says the man became a “living soul” or a “living being.” In Hebrew, this is nefesh chayah. It describes a creature that is animated by the breath of God.
Unlike some Greek philosophies that view the body as a prison for the soul, the Hebrew mindset sees the two as inseparable. You don’t just have a soul; you are a soul. When the Bible uses the word nefesh, it often points to the physical reality of being alive. This is why the word is sometimes translated as “throat” or “neck” in the Old Testament. It represents the part of us that breathes, eats, and feels the raw sensations of life.
Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.
A Language of Desire and Emotion
Because nefesh represents the whole person, it also encompasses our deep inner longings and emotions. When you feel a “hunger” for something—whether it is physical food or a spiritual connection with God—that is your nefesh at work. The psalmists frequently spoke of their “soul” thirsting for God as if they were in a dry and weary land without water.
This tells us that our emotions and our physical bodies are deeply connected in our walk with Jesus. When we are stressed, our bodies feel it. When we are joyful, our health often reflects it. God designed us as integrated beings. Your desires are not inherently “bad” or “fleshly” in a negative sense; they are a part of how your nefesh interacts with the world God created.
Psalm 42:1 As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.
The Whole Person in Relationship with God
When Jesus spoke about the greatest commandment, he told us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. He was echoing the ancient Hebrew “Shema” from Deuteronomy. By using the word for soul, He was calling us to love God with our entire existence. This includes our physical health, our career, our relationships, and our secret thoughts.
Jesus didn’t come just to “save souls” in a way that ignores the body. He came to redeem the whole person. We see this in His ministry as He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and eventually rose from the grave in a physical body. Because we are nefesh, our physical life matters to God just as much as our prayer life. The gospel is a message of total restoration for every part of who we are.
Common Misconceptions About the Soul
Many people grew up believing the soul is a “ghost” trapped in a “shell.” While the Bible does teach that we have a spirit that continues after death, the Old Testament use of nefesh focuses more on our unity. We shouldn’t think of ourselves as divided into “good” spiritual parts and “bad” physical parts. This “dualism” often leads people to neglect their physical health or feel guilty for having natural human needs.
In the biblical view, being a “soul” means you are a physical creature made for a spiritual purpose. When you eat a good meal, hug a friend, or work hard at your job, you are living out your identity as a nefesh. God called His physical creation “very good,” and that includes the physical “you.” Recognizing the Hebrew meaning of soul helps us appreciate the gift of life in all its fullness.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
The Takeaway
The Hebrew word nefesh reminds us that we are whole beings created by God. The meaning of “soul” in Hebrew isn’t a hidden spark inside you, but the “you” that breathes, eats, feels, and relates to others. God loves the whole version of you—body and spirit. When we offer our lives to Jesus, we aren’t just giving Him our “inner thoughts”; we are giving Him our entire physical and emotional existence.
