Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Dgahler782 AT aol.com]

I am grateful for the fascinating discussion re  nefesh and would like to add 
that, in the verses mentioned, it is not "nefesh mot" but "nefesh met", which 
is either a  qal perfect or an active participle, whereas mot is the 
infinitive absolute -  doesn't this change the meaning somewhat?  Nefesh 
definitely 
cannot be equated with "soul", a better approximation would be life-force, 
which 
also explains the association with blood and breath. When either blood or 
breath cease flowing, out flows life. 
However, my larger interest is the juxtaposition of Nefesh with Neshama and 
the difference in meaning. A primary example, is of course, Gen. 2:7 where 
the 
(construct)  nishmat-chayim (soul of life?) is needed for Adam to become  a 
nefesh-chayah ( a living being?)  Does this  mean that for humans to be 
alive,they must receive a soul - since animals have/are nefesh without  soul? 
 
Also, what is the etymology of neshama? (I don't have a BDB). Thx for all 
replies. 
Doris