נֶפֶשׁ nephesh "life, self, person" a very common word, in older translations often rendered "soul" however this suggests Greek ideas, of ideals and immortality, not intended by the Hebrew user of nephesh. In Am 2:14 & 15 in the expression "to save one's life" and in 6:8 where Adonai has sworn by his nephesh = by himself (see commentary).