What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "In Genesis 1:2 and Genesis 2:7 the Hebrew word Ruach is used, which stands for spirit, breath, or wind. At the beginning of creation Ruach Elohim is used, which likely stands for the Trinity of God. Also in Psalm 33:6 it is written that the whole heavens were made by the breath of the Lord. Does the word Ruach also appear here? Can one say that God's creative power is described by the word Ruach?"
Answer
The Hebrew word Ruach is indeed translated in the Scriptures in a variety of ways, including spirit, wind, or breath. In the creation accounts it describes God's life‑giving power, with Adventist authors emphasizing that the “Spirit of God” who hovered over the waters is closely linked to the creative activity of Christ.
Regarding Psalm 33:6, the texts confirm that the “breath of his mouth” (in Hebrew also Ruach) represents God's creative power that gives life and orders matter. One can therefore say that Ruach describes the divine medium and power through which the Father and the Son called the world into existence and sustained it.
The Meaning of Ruach and the Creative Power
»The word spirit is translated in the Old Testament from two Hebrew words: n’shah‑mah and ruach. ... Ruach occurs 442 times and is rendered in 16 ways; namely: spirit (282 times), wind (97 times), breath (28 times), mind (6 times), etc. ... Its property of vivifying or giving life is recognized by the Apostle James, who says that the body without the spirit is dead.«
The Hovering Spirit of God in Creation
»When the earth was just spoken into existence, while everything was still waste and void – “the Spirit of God hovered over the water”. The original word for “hovered” carries the meaning of brooding or lingering ... It clearly refers to a process of shaping by the power of the Spirit of God that immediately followed the act of creation.«
Christ as the Acting Agent through the Spirit
»When the Spirit of God hovered or brooded over the face of the waters, it was the Spirit of Christ with his life‑giving power that dwelt over the deep. ... Then the Holy Spirit was also present ... the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, the divine breath (afflatus) and the medium of their power, the representative of both.«
Creation through the Word and the Breath
»“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth.” ... The creative energy that called the worlds into being lies in the Word of God. This word grants power; it creates life.«
- Meaning of Ruach Elohim in Creation
- Connection between the Word of God and Creative Power
- The Role of Christ as Creation Agent
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
