The word _nephesh_ occurs 745 times in the Old Testament, and is translated by the term soul about 473 times. In every instance in the Old Testament where the word soul occurs, it is from _nephesh_, with the exception of Job 30:15, where it comes from _n’dee-vah_, and Isa. 57:16, where it is from _n’shah-mah_. But the mere use of the word soul determines nothing; for it cannot be claimed to signify an immortal part, until we somewhere find immortality affirmed of it. Besides the word soul, _nephesh_, is translated life and lives, as in Gen. 1:20, 30, in all 118 times. It is translated person, as in Gen. 14:21, in all 29 times. It is translated mind, as in Gen. 23:8, in all 15 times. It is translated heart, as in Ex. 23:9, in all 15 times. It is translated body, or dead body, as in Num. 6:6, in all 11 times. It is translated will, as in Ps. 27:12, in all 4 times. It is translated appetite, as in Prov. 23:2, twice; lust, as in Ps. 78:18, twice; thing, as in Lev. 11:10, twice. Besides the foregoing, it is rendered by the various pronouns, and by the words, breath, beast, fish, creature, ghost, pleasure, desire, &c., in all forty-three different ways. _Nephesh_ is never rendered spirit. This soul (_nephesh_) is represented as in danger of the grave, Ps. 49:14, 15; 89:88; Job 33:18, 20, 22; Isa. 38:17. It is also spoken of as liable to be destroyed, killed, &c., Gen. 17:14; Ex. 31:14; Josh. 10:30, 32, 35, 37, 39, &c. Parkhurst, author of a Greek and a Hebrew Lexicon, says:-- “As a noun, _neh-phesh_ hath been supposed to signify the spiritual part of man, or what we commonly call his soul. I must for myself confess that I can find no passage where it hath undoubtedly this meaning. Gen. 35:18; 1 Kings 17:21, 22; Ps. 16:10, seem fairest for this signification. But may not _neh-phesh_, in the three former passages, be most properly rendered _breath_, and in the last, a breathing, or animal frame?” Taylor, author of a Hebrew Concordance, says that _neh-phesh_ “signifies the animal life, or that principle by which every animal, according to its kind, lives. Gen. 1:20, 24, 30; Lev. 11:40. Which animal life, so far as we know anything of the manner of its existence, or so far as the Scriptures lead our thoughts, consists in the _breath_, Job. 41:21; 31:39, and in the _blood_. Lev. 17:11, 14.” Gesenius, the standard Hebrew lexicographer, defines _nephesh_ as follows:-- “1. Breath. 2. The vital spirit, as the Greek _psuche_, and Latin _anima_, through which the body lives, _i. e._, the principle of life manifested in the breath.” To this he also ascribes “whatever has respect to the sustenance of life by food and drink, and the contrary.” “3. The rational soul, mind, _animus_, as the seat of feelings, affections, and emotions. 4. Concr. living thing, animal in which is the _nephesh_, life.”