Compare the expression describing Saul’s vehement persecuting zeal, “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1).
Heb. nephesh, generally translated “soul” (see on Ps. 16:10), but here almost equivalent to “will.” A parallel may be found in Ugaritic (see pp. 618, 619), where npsh means not only “soul,” but also “desire,” or “will.”