14 a.  Jehovah's Spirit— referring to God Himself — 7 uses

·  The Genitive of Apposition

·  Condescensio Jehovah's heart, will, or mind

 

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God is spirit (John 4:4), and He is called the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18, 20) or the Spirit (John 3:6; Acts 2:4); but the phrase the Spirit of the Lord is, linguistically, a little different. The phrase could be what is called the genitive of apposition. That is, the use of the word of may be translated as “the spirit which is the LORD.” For instance, even in English when we say, “the city of New Orleans” we mean “the city which is New Orleans.” However, the use of the Spirit of the LORD in Isaiah 40:13:

Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

is an example of when the sense of the Spirit of the LORD is really in the essence of the mind or heart of the LORD. Likewise, spirit, at times, is also used of the mind or will of men, as in Deuteronomy 2:30:

But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.

The figure of speech “hardened his spirit” is repeated in its literal truth “made his heart obstinate.” In this use to God’s heart as his spirit, The Holy Spirit emphasizes the depth of His innermost wisdom, thoughts, and His will. This is the figure of speech condescensio.

 

The List of Uses

 

2 Samuel 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

 

1 Kings 18:12 And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the LORD from my youth.

 

2 Kings 2:16 And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.

 

Isaiah 40:13 Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

 

Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

 

Isaiah 63:14 As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.

 

Micah 2:7 O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?