The first time nefesh is used in Scripture it refers to the animals in the sea, the air, and on the land when they were created as ‘breathing’ creatures. When it is used of man in Genesis 2:8, it includes the living, breathing person of Adam along with the neshama of God’s divine ‘breath’ giving Adam not just physical animal/flesh soul, but a living spiritual soul as well.
"Your eyes will see Jerusalem: A tent which will not be folded; its stakes will never be pulled up" (Isaiah 33:20).
