The words pneuma and ruach refer to which concept in biblical language?

• A. Spirit or ghost
• B. Breath or wind
• C. Soul or life
• D. Light or truth

Answer: (A)

Pneuma and ruach point to the invisible, animating dimension of a person—their spirit. In biblical languages these terms carry a core sense of the non-physical life principle, and they are also used for the Spirit of God. While they can mean wind or breath in a literal sense, their most important and frequent use is to denote spirit—the inner life or the spiritual presence, including the Holy Spirit. That is why “Spirit or ghost” is the best fit: it captures the personal, non-material aspect these words consistently convey. The other options miss this central sense, since they emphasize physical breath, the idea of a soul, or concepts like light or truth, which aren’t the primary referents of these terms.