nephesh

/nɛˈfɛʃ/

Definitions

1. noun

In ancient Hebrew, the soul or vital spirit of a living being, including the breath, life force, and emotions; a person’s life, spirit, or soul.

“The nephesh of the person was still present, even though their body had stopped functioning.”

2. noun

In biblical Hebrew, the term is often used to describe the essence or character of a person, encompassing their moral, spiritual, and emotional being.

“The nephesh of a person is formed at birth, and it is what ultimately determines their destiny.”

Synonyms

  • soul
  • spirit

Antonyms

  • cadaver
  • corpse