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All in all, the Spirit performs much of the same functions in Old Testament times as He does in this
current age. The major difference is the permanent indwelling of the Spirit in believers now. As Jesus
said regarding this change in the Spirit’s ministry, “But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in
you” (John 14:17).
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The meaning of the Hebrew word ruach (Spirit)
The Hebrew ruach means “wind,” “breath,” or “spirit.” The corresponding Greek word
is pneuma. Both words are commonly used in passages referring to the Holy Spirit. The
word’s first use in the Bible appears in the second verse: “The Spirit of God [Ruach
Elohim] was hovering over the waters” (Gen. 1:2). In Genesis 6:17, ruach is translated
“breath of life.” Genesis 8:1 uses ruach to describe the “wind” God sent over the earth
to recede the Flood waters. Altogether, the word ruach is found almost 400 times in the
Old Testament.

Often, when the Old Testament talks about the “Spirit of the Lord” or the “Spirit of God,” the word for
“Spirit” is Ruach. Use of ruach as “spirit” when not linked with God usually is in reference to the human
spirit. This can mean the actual spirit of a human (the immaterial part of humans akin to the soul) or to
one’s mood, emotional state, or general disposition. Ruach as “breath” or “wind” can be a reference to
literal breath or wind, or it can take on a figurative meaning such as in the idiom “a mere breath.”

God’s Ruach is the source of life. The Ruach of God is the One who gives life to all creation. We could say
that God’s Ruach has created every other (non-divine) ruach that exists. All living creatures owe the
breath of life to the Creative Spirit of God. Moses states this truth explicitly: “God . . . gives breath
[ruach] to all living things” (Numbers 27:16). Job understood this truth as well: “As long as I have life
within me, the breath [ruach] of God in my nostrils” (Job 27:3). Later, Elihu tells Job, “The Spirit of God
has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4).

God used the phrase Ruach Yahweh in His promise that the Messiah would be empowered by the Holy
Spirit: “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of
counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD” (Isa. 11:2; see also Isaiah 42:1).
This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus; at His baptism in the Jordan River, John saw “the Spirit of God
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descending dove and alighting on him” (Matt. 3:16).

The Old Testament Promise of the Indwelling Holy Spirit to the Church
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit to fill and indwell people was prophesied in the Old
Testament and fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 2). This event was predicted in the Old Testament
(Isa. 44:3). The Holy Spirit is pictured as the “water of life” that saves and blesses a dying
people. On the day of Pentecost, Peter quoted another prophecy as being fulfilled (Acts
2:16-22; cf. Joel 2:28–29, 32). The outpouring of the Holy Spirit ushered in a new era—the church age. In
the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was a rare gift that was only given to a few people, and usually for
only short periods of time. When Saul was anointed king of Israel, the Holy Spirit came upon him (1 Sam.
10:10), but when God removed His blessing on Saul, the Holy Spirit left him (1 Sam. 16:14). The Holy
Spirit came for specific moments or seasons in the lives of Othniel (Judg. 3:10), Gideon (Judg. 6:34), and
Samson (Judg. 13:25; 14:6) as well, to enable them to do His will and serve Israel. At Pentecost, the Holy
Spirit was poured out on all believers in Christ, and He came to stay. This marked a major change in the
Holy Spirit’s work.

Before His arrest, Jesus had promised to send His disciples the Holy Spirit (John 14:15–17). The Spirit

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