The Idiomatic Expression וַתָּ֥שָׁב רוּחֹ֖ו אֵלָ֑יו (“His Spirit Returned to Him”) in 1 Samuel 30:12

This study will analyze the function of וַתָּ֥שָׁב רוּחֹ֖ו אֵלָ֑יו in biblical idiom, its grammatical structure, and its theological significance.

וַיִּתְּנוּ־לֹו֩ פֶ֨לַח דְּבֵלָ֜ה וּשְׁנֵ֤י צִמֻּקִים֙ וַיֹּ֔אכַל וַתָּ֥שָׁב רוּחֹ֖ו אֵלָ֑יו כִּ֠י לֹֽא־אָ֤כַל לֶ֨חֶם֙ וְלֹא־שָׁ֣תָה מַ֔יִם שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה יָמִ֖ים וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה לֵילֹֽות׃

And they gave him a slice of pressed fig cake and two clusters of raisins, and he ate, and his spirit returned to him—for he had not eaten bread or drunk water for three days and three nights.

Introduction to 1 Samuel 30:12

1 Samuel 30:12 describes an Egyptian servant found in a weakened state by David’s men, who is then revived with food and water. The key phrase וַתָּ֥שָׁב רוּחֹ֖ו אֵלָ֑יו (“his spirit returned to him”) is an idiom that expresses recovery from extreme exhaustion, distress, or near-death experiences.

This verse consists of:

1. The provision of food: פֶ֨לַח דְּבֵלָ֜ה וּשְׁנֵ֤י צִמֻּקִים (“a piece of pressed fig and two cakes of raisins”).
2. The action of eating: וַיֹּ֔אכַל (“and he ate”), which initiates his recovery.
3. The idiomatic phrase וַתָּ֥שָׁב רוּחֹ֖ו אֵלָ֑יו (“his spirit returned to him”), describing his revival.
4. The explanation כִּ֠י לֹֽא־אָ֤כַל לֶ֨חֶם֙ וְלֹא־שָׁ֣תָה מַ֔יִם שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה יָמִ֖ים וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה לֵילֹֽות (“for he had not eaten bread nor drunk water for three days and three nights”), clarifying the reason for his condition.

Analysis of Key Words/Phrases

1. וַתָּ֥שָׁב (vattashav)
   • Root: שׁוּב (“to return, restore”)
   • Form: Qal consecutive imperfect 3rd feminine singular
   • Translation: “And it returned”
   • Function: Marks a completed action in a sequential narrative.
2. רוּחֹ֖ו (ruḥo)
   • Root: רוּחַ (“spirit, breath, life-force”)
   • Form: Feminine singular noun with 3rd masculine singular suffix (“his spirit”)
   • Translation: “His spirit”
   • Function: Represents vitality, energy, or life itself.
3. אֵלָ֑יו (elav)
   • Root: אֵל (“to, toward”)
   • Form: Preposition with 3rd masculine singular suffix (“to him”)
   • Translation: “To him”
   • Function: Indicates direction of the returning vitality.
4. כִּ֠י לֹֽא־אָ֤כַל לֶ֨חֶם֙ וְלֹא־שָׁ֣תָה מַ֔יִם (ki lo-akhal leḥem velo-shatah mayim)
   • Roots: אָכַל (“to eat”), שָׁתָה (“to drink”)
   • Form: Negative perfect verbs
   • Translation: “For he had not eaten bread nor drunk water”
   • Function: Explains the extreme exhaustion leading to his near-collapse.

Explanation of Grammatical Function

The Idiomatic Use of וַתָּ֥שָׁב רוּחֹ֖ו אֵלָ֑יו (“His Spirit Returned to Him”)

The phrase “his spirit returned to him” functions as an idiom indicating recovery or renewal of strength.

Similar expressions appear in:

• Genesis 45:27 – The spirit of Jacob their father revived.
• Judges 15:19 – After drinking, Samson’s spirit returned and he was revived.

In these cases, רוּחַ represents vitality rather than a separate metaphysical entity.

The Qal Consecutive Imperfect וַתָּ֥שָׁב (“And It Returned”)

This imperfect consecutive form expresses a completed action in narrative flow. The verb שׁוּב is often used for physical or spiritual restoration.

The Use of Parallel Negative Perfects in כִּ֠י לֹֽא־אָכַל… וְלֹא־שָׁתָה

The double negative perfect (לֹא + perfect verb) conveys prolonged deprivation. The duration שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה יָמִ֖ים וּשְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה לֵילֹֽות reflects a full cycle of trial, common in biblical narratives.

Theological Implications of 1 Samuel 30:12

1. The Connection Between Physical and Spiritual Restoration
   The return of רוּחַ is directly linked to nourishment, reinforcing the biblical view of body and soul as inseparably intertwined.
2. The Theme of Divine Providence in Recovery
   While David’s men offer material aid, the text frames the healing as a restoration of spirit, suggesting divine orchestration behind the scenes.
3. The Symbolic Use of “Three Days and Three Nights”
   This recurring motif in Scripture signifies transformation through suffering — from Jonah’s entombment to resurrection parallels.

The Function of וַתָּ֥שָׁב רוּחֹ֖ו אֵלָ֑יו as a Biblical Revival Idiom

1 Samuel 30:12 presents a well-attested idiom for recovery. The text exemplifies how physical restoration can mirror spiritual revival. The grammatical sequence (suffering → provision → renewal) reinforces divine providence as the ultimate source of life.

Thus, the phrase וַתָּ֥שָׁב רוּחֹ֖ו אֵלָ֑יו stands not only as a grammatical structure but as a theological lens, highlighting God’s care through human compassion.