SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT Term)

This term (BDB 447, KB 446, both a masculine and feminine noun), which basically means “to be wide and spacious” or “to be free,” has several connotations.

1. safety, 2 Sam. 22:3; Job 5:11; Ps. 12:5

2. welfare, prosperity, Job 30:15

3. divine salvation which encompasses both physical and spiritual deliverance

a. Gen. 49:18

b. Deut. 32:15

c. 2 Sam. 23:5

d. Ps. 3:2,8; 22:1; 35:3; 62:2; 69:29; 70:5; 78:22; 80:3; 89:26; 91:16; 106:4; 140:7

e. Isa. 12:2; 33:2; 51:6,8; 52:7,10; 56:1; 59:11; 60:18; 62:1,11

4. the idea of both physical and spiritual deliverance is clearly present in Jonah 2:9-10

5. victory, Exod. 14:30; 15:2; 1 Sam. 14:45; Ps. 20:6; 21:5; 44:4-5; 68:19-20; 118:14,15,21; Isa. 12:2; Hab. 3:8

6. often “rejoicing” is related to YHWH’s salvation, 1 Sam. 2:1; Isa. 25:9; 26:1; Ps. 9:14; 13:5; 21:1; 35:9; 118:15,21

Salvation involves the implementation of YHWH’s original intended fellowship and society with His human creatures. It involves individual and societal wholeness!