King James Bible
"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."
God acts as a divine craftsman, shaping humanity from earth's basic elements, emphasizing both human connection to creation and God's intimate involvement. The Hebrew word 'yatsar' (formed) depicts a potter molding clay, highlighting the intentional, artistic nature of human creation. God's direct, personal animation of humanity distinguishes humans from other creatures formed from the ground. This divine breath (neshamah) represents not just biological life but a unique spiritual dimension imparted by God himself. The combination of earthly matter and divine breath produces a 'nephesh' - a living being with consciousness and spiritual capacity. This transformation marks humanity's dual nature: physical yet bearing God's life-giving spirit.