Bible Dictionary
Air
Air refers to the atmosphere or space between the earth and the heavens. In Scripture, “speaking into the air” means speaking without effect, while “beating the air” describes labor that misses its aim.
Definition
Air is the atmosphere or the space between the earth and the heavens. In one Old Testament passage it refers to breath or wind; in the New Testament it denotes the surrounding atmosphere and, figuratively, empty or ineffective effort.
Biblical Usage
“Speaking into the air” means speaking in vain, while “beating the air” means striking without reaching the mark or laboring without effect. The phrase “birds of the air” reflects the biblical expression for the space above the earth.
Historical Background
The Hebrew word is usually translated “heaven” or “heavens,” and in one passage means breath or wind. The Greek term denotes the atmosphere surrounding people. The biblical expression reflects the ancient conception of the space between earth and the firmament.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The atmosphere, as opposed to the higher regions of the sky (1 Thess. 4:17; Rev. 9:2; 16:17). This word occurs once as the rendering of the Hebrew ruah (Job 41:16); elsewhere it is the rendering of shamaiyim, usually translated “heavens.” The expression “to speak into the air” (1 Cor. 14:9) is a proverb denoting to speak in vain, as to “beat the air” (1 Cor. 9:26) denotes to labour in vain.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ar (aer): In the Old Testament "air" is used (with one exception) in the phrase "fowl" or "fowls (birds) of the air." The Hebrew word is usually rendered "heaven" or "heavens." According to ancient Hebrew cosmogony the sky was a solid dome (firmament) stretching over the earth as a covering. In the above phrase the air means the space between the earth and the firmament. In Job 41:16 "air" renders ruach, "breath," "wind," "spirit." The scales of the leviathan are so closely joined together that no air can penetrate. In the New Testament the phrase "birds (or fowls) of the air," occurs ten times. This simply reproduces the Hebraism noticed above. Apart from this expression "air" in the King James Version represents aer, which denotes the atmosphere which surrounds us. The expression "beating the air" (1Co 9:26) means to "deal blows that do not get home"--that miss the mark. In his conflict with the lower life represented by the body, Paul compares himself to a boxer who aims with unerring accuracy at his opponent. No stroke is lost. Paul also uses the phrase "speaking into the air" (1Co 14:9) in reference to the unintelligible utterances of those who "spake with tongues." In the expression, "prince of the powers of the air" (Eph 2:2 the King James Version) we find an echo of the current belief that the air was the dwelling place of spirits, especially of evil spirits.</p><p>Thomas Lewis</p>