Original Word: πνέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: pneó
Pronunciation: pneh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (pneh'-o)
Definition: I blow, breathe, as the wind.
Meaning: To breathe, blow

Word Origin: A primary verb

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H7307 רוּחַ (ruach): Often translated as "spirit" or "wind," this Hebrew term shares a similar semantic range with πνέω, encompassing breath, wind, and spirit.
• H5397 נְשָׁמָה (neshamah): Meaning "breath" or "spirit," this term is used in contexts that emphasize the life-giving breath of God, akin to the concept of πνέω in the New Testament.

In summary, πνέω is a versatile Greek verb that captures the essence of breath and wind, both in the natural world and in the spiritual realm. Its usage in the New Testament underscores the dynamic and life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit, drawing on rich imagery that resonates with the Hebrew understanding of breath and spirit.

Usage: The verb πνέω is used in the New Testament to describe the action of breathing or blowing, often in the context of wind or air movement. It can also metaphorically refer to the presence or movement of the Spirit.

Context: The Greek verb πνέω appears in several New Testament passages, primarily in contexts involving natural phenomena such as wind. It is a vivid term that captures the dynamic and life-giving force of breath or wind. In the ancient world, wind was often seen as a powerful and mysterious force, and πνέω conveys this sense of movement and vitality.

In John 3:8, Jesus uses the imagery of the wind to describe the work of the Spirit: "The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." Here, πνέω illustrates the sovereign and unpredictable nature of the Spirit's work in the lives of believers.

Another notable usage is found in Acts 27:40, where the sailors "let the anchors go into the sea" and "loosed the ropes of the rudders," allowing the ship to be driven by the wind. This passage highlights the natural force of the wind, which is beyond human control, yet essential for navigation.

The verb πνέω is also used metaphorically to describe the inspiration and movement of the Holy Spirit, drawing a parallel between the physical act of breathing and the spiritual act of receiving divine influence.

Word Origin
a prim. verb
Definition
to blow
NASB Translation
blew (2), blow (1), blowing (2), blows (1), wind (1).

STRONGS NT 4154: πνέω

πνέω; 1 aorist ἔπνευσα; from Homer down; to breathe, to blow: of the wind, Matthew 7:25, 27; Luke 12:55; John 3:8; John 6:18; Revelation 7:1; τῇ πνεούσῃ namely, αὔρα (cf. Winers Grammar, 591 (550); (Buttmann, 82 (72))), Acts 27:40. (Compare: ἐκπνέω, ἐνπνέω, ὑποπνέω.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

blow.

A primary word; to breathe hard, i.e. Breeze -- blow. Compare psucho.

see GREEK psucho

Forms and Transliterations

επνευσαν έπνευσαν ἔπνευσαν έπνευσεν πνεη πνέη πνέῃ πνει πνεί πνεῖ πνεοντα πνέοντα πνεοντος πνέοντος πνεουση πνεούση πνεούσῃ πνεύσει epneusan épneusan pnee pneē pnéei pnéēi pnei pneî pneonta pnéonta pneontos pnéontos pneouse pneousē pneoúsei pneoúsēi

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts