Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
Aurel Gheorghe
Genesis 2:7 says that God made Adam from the dust of the earth and breathed life into his nostrils. In that very moment, Adam became a living soul (KJV). Other translations phrase this slightly different: ESV ‘living creature’, NIV ‘living person’, and NKJV ‘living being.’ As I read the Bible, I cannot find any place where it says that God gave Adam a soul. God gave him the breath of life and Adam became a soul. A soul is the combination of the body plus the breath of life. In Acts 2:41 we read how 3000 souls were baptized - obviously, the Bible here is talking about 3000 people, not 3000 disembodied spirits. A Bible soul is always a combination of body plus breath. A soul cannot exist unless body and breath are combined (James 2:26). The Bible teaches that we are souls - not that we have souls. Job 27:2-3 “As long as my breath is in me, And the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness, Nor my tongue utter deceit” NKJV. Here Job is saying that his soul is in his nostrils, obviously referring to his breath of life, as no one really believes that a soul lives inside our nostrils. I understand that for some this goes against popular culture and what they were taught, but if we carefully read the Word of God it would be difficult to arrive at any other conclusion.
Add your Answer
All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.
A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.
- Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
- Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
- Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
- Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
- For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible