There are in fact many different ways this is commonly translated into English. For example the King James Version, a widely used and well respected translation, uses at least 12 different meanings for this word. Some of these include spirit, breath or wind; but, it is also translated in this version as air, gas, vain or empty thing, animation, vivacity and vigour. It is clear from these multiple meanings, within a single version of good repute, that the word is adaptable and can be translated any number of ways depending on the context. It is solely at the discretion of the interpreter to decide what the intended meaning was and apply his or her understanding of it when making translation decisions. There are many more versions of the Bible, and each of them has translated this slightly differently in more than just a few places, so there are likely dozens of uses which are not listed, each acceptable as far as translation practices go. The use of a particular method of translation regarding this word does not, can not, give evidence as to the character or competence of the translators. The sources for this discourse and more of the common uses follow: http://www.bible.org/netbible/ezr1_notes.htm Heb “spirit.” The Hebrew noun רוּחַ ruakh, “spirit”)has a broad range of meanings (see BDB 924-26 s.v.). Here, it probably refers to (1) “mind” as the seat of mental acts (e.g., Exod 28:3; Deut 34:9; Isa 29:24; 40:13; Ezek 11:5; 20:32; 1 Chr 28:12; cf. BDB 925 s.v. 6) or (2) “will” as the seat of volitional decisions (e.g., Exod 35:5, 22; Pss 51:12, 14; 57:8; 2 Chr 29:31; cf. BDB 925 s.v. 7). So also in v. 5. http://www.biblestudytools.net/Lexicons/Hebrew/heb.cgi?number=07308&version=kjv Definition spirit, wind wind spirit of man seat of the mind King James Word Usage - Total: 11 spirit 8, wind 2, mind 1 http://www.biblestudytools.net/Lexicons/Hebrew/heb.cgi?number=07307&version=kjv Definition wind, breath, mind, spirit breath wind of heaven quarter (of wind), side breath of air air, gas vain, empty thing spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour courage temper, anger impatience, patience spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse prophetic spirit spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being spirit (as seat of emotion) desire sorrow, trouble spirit as seat or organ of mental acts rarely of the will as seat especially of moral character Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power as endowing men with various gifts as energy of life as manifest in the Shekinah glory never referred to as a depersonalised force King James Word Usage - Total: 378 Spirit or spirit 232, wind 92, breath 27, side 6, mind 5, blast 4, vain 2, air 1, anger 1, cool 1, courage 1, miscellaneous 6