soul
4 connections across theological concepts
Connections
Hebrew nefesh/neshamah, Greek psyche, Sanskrit atman, Arabic nafs — all traditions describe the inner animating principle through the metaphor of breath. The soul is what the divine breath makes alive.
Greek psyche (soul) derives from psychein (to breathe); Latin anima from *ane- (to breathe); Sanskrit atman from PIE *etmen- (breath). The equation of soul and breath — also in Hebrew neshama — is both cross-cultural and cross-linguistic.
The soul (nefesh) is what Adam became when God breathed the neshama (breath of life) into him — soul is animated life, the meeting point of divine breath and earthly matter.
Hebrew neshama (breath of life) and nefesh (soul/life) are closely related — both describe the animating divine principle God breathed into Adam (Genesis 2:7).
Etymology
Soul, life, throat, appetite; the living being
Not immaterial spirit but the living self, life force
Soul, life, spirit, inner self
Source of psychology; inner mental and emotional life
Soul, self, inner being, breath
The spiritual essence of being; one of seven heavens in Islamic cosmology
Self, individual soul, eternal essence
In Vedanta, Atman is identical with Brahman (ultimate reality)
Self, being, individual existence
Buddhist doctrine of anatta (no permanent self) contrasts with other traditions
Hebrew Roots
soul
breath, soul, the divine soul
spirit
Greek Roots
soul
spirit