JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

January 1988

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your question concerning I Kings 17:21, where it is recorded that Elijah prayed for God to "let this child's soul come into him again."

The word soul in this verse is translated from the Hebrew word nephesh. According to Bagster's "Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon," the word "nephesh" means "breath" or "anything that breathes."

Man is a living, breathing creature -- a nephesh -- in whose nostrils is the breath of life. Elijah asked God to restore this "breath of life" to the child who had died.

For a complete explanation of what the Bible teaches about the soul, may we suggest that you ask for our booklet WHAT IS MAN? We would be happy to send you a copy free upon your request.

It is our pleasure to serve you. Please let us know when we may help you again with your study of the Bible.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT