The Soul of YHWH

In this short post I will quote the places where the Hebrew Bible teaches that YHWH has/possesses a soul (nephesh).

“I will set my tent among you, and my soul won’t abhor you… I will destroy your high places, and cut down your incense altars, and cast your dead bodies upon the bodies of your idols; and my soul will abhor you.” Leviticus 26:11, 30

“They put away the foreign gods from among them and served Yahweh; and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.” Judges 10:16  

“Yahweh examines the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and him who loves violence.” Psalm 11:5

“Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights: I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations.” Isaiah 42:1

“‘Shouldn’t I punish them for these things?’ says Yahweh. ‘Shouldn’t my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?’” Jeremiah 5:9

“Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.” Jeremiah 32:41

“My Lord Yahweh swears by His soul. Averring is Yahweh, Elohim of hosts: I am abhorring all the pomp of Jacob, and his citadels I hate, and I take away the city and its fullness." Amos 6:8 Concordant Literal Version (CLV(i))

It seems evident from these examples that YHWH’s soul refers to his feelings, his emotions, such as his love, anger, hate, etc.

Unless indicated otherwise, scriptural references taken from the World English Bible (WEB).