The meaning of “סָלַח”
Understanding çâlach reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
forgive, pardon, spare. - to forgive 1) to forgive, pardon 1a) (Qal) to forgive, pardon 1b) (Niphal) to be forgiven
סָלַח
forgive, pardon, spare. - to forgive 1) to forgive, pardon 1a) (Qal) to forgive, pardon 1b) (Niphal) to be forgiven
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Exodus 34:9 | “And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.” Word: סָלַח (çâlach) | |
| Numbers 15:28 | “And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the Lord, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.” Word: סָלַח (çâlach) | |
| 1 Kings 8:36 | “Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.” Word: סָלַח (çâlach) | |
| 2 Chronicles 6:30 | “Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)” Word: סָלַח (çâlach) | |
| Isaiah 55:7 | “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Word: סָלַח (çâlach) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Forgive
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: To forgive, pardon, lift up
The Hebrew salach (סָלַח) is used exclusively of God's forgiveness—divine pardon that only He can grant. Nasa (נָשָׂא) means to lift up or carry away, picturing sin being removed.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: To send away, forgive, release
The Greek aphiemi (ἀφίημι) means to send away or release—canceling a debt or dismissing an offense. Jesus taught us to pray 'forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors' (Matthew 6:12).