Lexical Summary salach: To forgive, pardon Original Word: סָלַח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance forgive, pardon, spare A primitive root; to forgive -- forgive, pardon, spare. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to forgive, pardon NASB Translation forgive (19), forgiven (13), pardon (12), pardoned (2), pardons (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [סָלַח] verb forgive, pardon (ᵑ7 סְלַת id., Late Hebrew סְלִיחָה forgiveness): — Qal Perfect2masculine singular סָלַחְתָּ Exodus 34:9 9t., סָלָ֑חְתָּ Lamentations 3:42 2t.; 1 singular סָלַחְתִּי Numbers 14:20 2t.; Imperfect3masculine singular יִסְלַח Numbers 30:6 4t.; 1 singular אֶסְלַה Jeremiah 31:34 3t. + Jeremiah 5:7 Qr (Kt אֶסְלוֺהַ); Imperative סְלַח Numbers 14:19; Amos 7:2; סְלָ֑חָה Daniel 9:19; Infinitiveסְלֹתַ Deuteronomy 29:19; 2 Kings 24:4; סְלוֺתַ Isaiah 55:7; Participle active סֹלֵחַ Psalm 103:3; — forgive, pardon, always of God : absolute Numbers 14:20 (J), 1 Kings 8:30,39 2Chronicles 6:21,30; 2 Kings 24:4; Isaiah 55:7; Amos 7:2; Lamentations 3:42; Daniel 9:19; with לְ of the sin Exodus 34:9; Numbers 14:19 (both J), Jeremiah 31:34; Jeremiah 33:8; Jeremiah 36:3; Psalm 25:11; Psalm 103:3; 1 Kings 8:34,36 2Chronicles 6:23,27; 7:14; + לְ of sinner Deuteronomy 29:19; 1 Kings 8:50 2Chronicles 6:39; 2 Kings 5:18 (twice in verse); Jeremiah 5:1,7; Jeremiah 50:20, and in law, Numbers 30:6; Numbers 30:9; Numbers 30:13 (P). Niph`al Perfect3masculine singular נִסְלַח with לְ technical term in code of P, it shall be forgiven him לוֺ Leviticus 4:26,31,35; Leviticus 5:10,13,16,18; Leviticus 5:26; Leviticus 19:22; Numbers 15:28; them לַהֶם Leviticus 4:20; Numbers 15:25; ׳לְכָלעֲֿדַת וגו Numbers 15:26. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope סָלַח (salach) is the primary Old Testament verb for divine forgiveness. It speaks of the LORD’s gracious act of lifting guilt and restoring fellowship with His covenant people. All forty-seven occurrences have God as the subject; Scripture never attributes סָלַח to human beings. Consequently, the word emphasizes that pardon originates in the heart of God rather than in human initiative, ritual, or merit. Canonical Distribution • Pentateuch: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy This spread shows that forgiveness stands at the center of Israel’s story—from Sinai to exile and beyond. Divine Initiative in Forgiveness The earliest usage follows Israel’s rebellion with the golden calf. Moses pleads, “O Lord, let the Lord go among us… and pardon our iniquity and our sin” (Exodus 34:9). The pattern continues when the nation despairs at Kadesh-barnea: “Please pardon the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your mercy” (Numbers 14:19). The LORD replies, “I have pardoned according to your word” (Numbers 14:20). These foundational texts establish סָלַח as an act grounded in God’s character—“gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion” (Exodus 34:6). Covenant and Sacrificial Context Leviticus locates forgiveness within the prescribed offerings: Sacrifice does not earn pardon; it mediates the holy God’s determined grace. The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) dramatizes how the shedding of blood points to the ultimate provision of forgiveness, foreshadowing the sacrifice of the Messiah (Isaiah 53:5; Hebrews 9:12-15). Intercessory Appeal Solomon’s temple prayer employs סָלַח eight times (1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 6): “Hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive” (1 Kings 8:30). National calamities—defeat, drought, exile—are met with corporate repentance and a plea for God to forgive. The Chronicler later records the divine promise, “If My people… humble themselves… and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Liturgical and Personal Piety The Psalms transpose covenant theology into personal worship. David cries, “For the sake of Your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, for it is great” (Psalm 25:11). The worshiper celebrates, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Psalm 32:1), and extols the LORD “who forgives all your iniquities” (Psalm 103:3). These songs teach believers to approach God with honest confession and confident hope. Prophetic Assurance Isaiah links forgiveness to the promise of a purified remnant (Isaiah 55:7). Jeremiah announces the new covenant climax: “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). Daniel, though righteous, identifies with his people’s guilt: “O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive!” (Daniel 9:19). Even Amos, in visions of judgment, hears the plea, “O Lord GOD, please forgive!” (Amos 7:2). The prophets portray סָלַח as the decisive reversal of exile and judgment. Relationship to Repentance and Obedience While forgiveness is God’s initiative, it is normally granted in response to humble confession and turning from sin. Numbers 15:25 distinguishes sins of ignorance (pardon possible) from high-handed rebellion (pardon withheld). This tension underscores both the seriousness of sin and the wideness of divine mercy. Christological Fulfillment The Old Testament hope of סָלַח finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). At the Last Supper He declares, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28). The New Testament vocabulary (aphesis, charizomai) echoes the covenant promise that God freely grants forgiveness through faith in Jesus (Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 10:17-18). Thus, סָלַח functions typologically, preparing the way for the gospel. Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching: Proclaim the character of God who delights to forgive the penitent. Key References Exodus 34:9; Leviticus 4:26; Leviticus 16:30; Numbers 14:19-20; Deuteronomy 29:20; 1 Kings 8:30, 34, 36, 39, 50; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 25:11; Psalm 32:1; Psalm 103:3; Isaiah 55:7; Jeremiah 31:34; Daniel 9:19; Amos 7:2. Forms and Transliterations אֶֽסְלַֽח־ אֶסְלַ֖ח אֶסְלַח֙ אסלח אסלח־ הַסֹּלֵ֥חַ הסלח וְֽסָלַחְתָּ֥ וְאֶסְלַ֖ח וְאֶסְלַח֙ וְנִסְלַ֗ח וְנִסְלַ֣ח וְנִסְלַ֥ח וְסָ֣לַחְתָּ֔ וְסָ֨לַחְתָּ֜ וְסָלַחְתִּ֗י וְסָלַחְתִּ֥י וְסָלַחְתָּ֛ וְסָלַחְתָּ֣ וְסָלַחְתָּ֤ וְסָלַחְתָּ֥ וְסָלָֽחְתָּ׃ ואסלח ונסלח וסלחת וסלחת׃ וסלחתי יִֽסְלַֽח־ יִֽסְלַח־ יִסְלַ֥ח יִסְלַח־ יסלח יסלח־ לִסְלֹֽחַ׃ לִסְלֽוֹחַ׃ לָ֔ךְ לך לסלוח׃ לסלח׃ סְֽלַֽח־ סְלַֽח־ סְלָ֔חָה סְלֹ֣חַֽ סָלַ֖חְתִּי סָלָֽחְתָּ׃ סלח סלח־ סלחה סלחת׃ סלחתי ’es·laḥ ’es·laḥ- ’eslaḥ ’eslaḥ- eslach has·sō·lê·aḥ hassoLeach hassōlêaḥ Lach lāḵ lis·lō·aḥ lis·lō·w·aḥ lisLoach lislōaḥ lislōwaḥ sā·lā·ḥə·tā sā·laḥ·tî saLacheta saLachti sālāḥətā sālaḥtî sə·lā·ḥāh sə·laḥ- sə·lō·aḥ selach seLachah səlaḥ- səlāḥāh seLoach səlōaḥ veesLach venisLach vesaLacheta vesalachTa vesalachTi wə’eslaḥ wə·’es·laḥ wə·nis·laḥ wə·sā·lā·ḥə·tā wə·sā·laḥ·tā wə·sā·laḥ·tî wənislaḥ wəsālāḥətā wəsālaḥtā wəsālaḥtî yis·laḥ yis·laḥ- yislach yislaḥ yislaḥ-Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 34:9 HEB: עֹ֙רֶף֙ ה֔וּא וְסָלַחְתָּ֛ לַעֲוֹנֵ֥נוּ וּלְחַטָּאתֵ֖נוּ NAS: are so obstinate, and pardon our iniquity KJV: people; and pardon our iniquity INT: stiff-necked he and pardon our iniquity and our sin Leviticus 4:20 Leviticus 4:26 Leviticus 4:31 Leviticus 4:35 Leviticus 5:10 Leviticus 5:13 Leviticus 5:16 Leviticus 5:18 Leviticus 6:7 Leviticus 19:22 Numbers 14:19 Numbers 14:20 Numbers 15:25 Numbers 15:26 Numbers 15:28 Numbers 30:5 Numbers 30:8 Numbers 30:12 Deuteronomy 29:20 1 Kings 8:30 1 Kings 8:34 1 Kings 8:36 1 Kings 8:39 1 Kings 8:50 47 Occurrences |
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