inspire / in-spirit

INSPIRE

Associated with Nature Walk “Inspire me, Lord!…”
Also with Isaiah 41:6-8 and the Hebrew word, chazaq, translated “courage” or “encourage”

Dictionary.com
–verb (used with object)

1. to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence
2. to produce or arouse (a feeling, thought, etc.)
3. to fill or affect with a specified feeling, thought, etc.
4. to influence or impel
5. to animate, as an influence, feeling, thought, or the like, does
6. to communicate or suggest by a divine or supernatural influence
7. to guide or control by divine influence.
8. to prompt or instigate (utterances, acts, etc.) by influence, without avowal of responsibility.
9. to give rise to, bring about, cause, etc.
10. to take (air, gases, etc.) into the lungs in breathing; inhale.
11. archaic: a) to infuse (breath, life, etc.) by breathing (usually fol. by into). b) to breathe into or upon.
12. to give inspiration.
13. to inhale.

Origin:  1300–50; ME inspiren < L inspīrāre to breathe upon or into, equiv. to in- in+ spīrāre to breathe

BIBLE VERSE

“inspired” only appears in the New King James Version once in Isaiah 41:7 and it is inserted. In the King James Version, the word does not appear. HOWEVER, I believe it is implied by the word “encouraged” and the “Be of good courage!” in verse 6.

Isaiah 41:6-8 NKJV

6 Everyone helped his neighbor, And said to his brother, “Be of good courage!” 7 So the craftsman encouraged the goldsmith; He who smooths with the hammer inspired him who strikes the anvil, Saying, “It is ready for the soldering”; Then he fastened it with pegs, That it might not totter. 8 “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend.

Isaiah 41:6-8 KJV

6 They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.  7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.  8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

CHAZAQ

“courage” and “encouraged” in these translations are the same Hebrew word, chazaq. Strongs # 02388. (click the link as there are a lot of definitions). Even the sound of the word tickles me.

I was thinking that this inspired might be associated with when God breathed into man since one of its definitions is inhale.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)

But, it’s not the same word. I was curious about “soul” and looked up the Strong’s number: nephesh #05315 soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion

• that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man, living being
• living being (with life in the blood)
• the man himself, self, person or individual
• seat of the appetites
• seat of emotions and passions
• activity of mind
• activity of the will
• activity of the character

Just for kicks looked up “inspirit” at dictionary.com and found it!

• to infuse spirit or life into; enliven.
• to instill courage or life into.
• See Synonyms at encourage.