Fascinating. I have really wondered about the mechanics of baptism. I wonder if you’d see the mikveh as a model at all. It was a dip taken by a bride before a wedding, and marriage seems to be how John views the moment (cf. Jn 3:29).

I like your idea of inspiration of air on the model of God at Creation. Jesus does this in Jn 20:22. The holy kiss also seems to have involved locking lips and blowing holy air into another body. So then I wonder if John’s baptism might’ve involved infused air.