# XXXIV: Of the Signification of Spirit, Angel, and Inspiration in the Books of Holy Scripture explained — Leviathan

> Chapter companion for Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes.

## What happens

Hobbes examines the biblical meanings of 'body,' 'spirit,' 'angel,' and 'inspiration,' arguing that 'incorporeal substance' is a contradiction and that scriptural references to spirits and angels often denote material or metaphorical phenomena, not immaterial entities.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Civil Authority

Hobbes interprets scriptural terms to undermine ecclesiastical claims of supernatural authority, grounding interpretation in materialist philosophy.

### Human Nature and Passions

Discusses how 'spirit' metaphorically denotes dispositions and passions, linking scriptural language to human psychology.

## Character check-ins

### Moses

Referenced in Exodus regarding the spirit of wisdom for making Aaron's garments.

### Aaron

Mentioned in context of being consecrated with garments made by those filled with the spirit of wisdom.

### Saul

Cited as an example where the 'Spirit of God' came upon him, interpreted as extraordinary zeal rather than a ghost.

### Jephtha

Listed among judges where the 'Spirit of God' is understood as extraordinary courage.

### Samuel

Referenced in the context of Saul among the prophets.

### Micaiah

Mentioned in the dispute with Zedekiah about the Spirit of the Lord.

## Key lines

> The word 'body,' in the most general acceptation, signifieth that which filleth or occupieth some certain room, or imagined place; and dependeth not on the imagination, but is a real part of that we call the 'universe.'

Body is defined as that which occupies space and is a real part of the universe, independent of imagination.

_Hobbes establishes a materialist definition of body as the foundation for his analysis._

> substance incorporeal are words, which when they are joined together, destroy one another, as if a man should say an 'incorporeal body.'

The phrase 'incorporeal substance' is self-contradictory, like saying 'incorporeal body.'

_Hobbes argues that the concept of an immaterial substance is logically incoherent._

> For the nature of God is incomprehensible; that is to say, we understand nothing of 'what He is,' but only 'that He is'; and therefore the attributes we give Him are not to tell one another 'what He is,' nor to signify our opinion of His nature, but our desire to honour Him with such names as we conceive most honourable amongst ourselves.

God's nature is beyond human understanding; we only know that He exists, and our names for Him express honor, not knowledge of His essence.

_Hobbes limits theological language to expressions of reverence, avoiding claims of precise knowledge._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/xxxiv-of-the-signification-of-spirit-angel-and-inspiration-in-the-books-of-holy-scripture
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leviathan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leviathan_se/chapters