סְלִיחָה
pardon
Definition
סְלִיחָה refers to the act of forgiveness or pardon, specifically the gracious release from guilt and its consequences. It denotes a complete letting go of offense, as seen in God's character of being 'ready to forgive' (Nehemiah 9:17). In Psalm 130:4, it is the quality that inspires reverent worship, because 'with you there is forgiveness.' The word emphasizes the result of the pardoning action—the state of being forgiven—highlighting God's willingness to cancel debt and restore relationship.
Biblical Usage
This noun appears only three times in the Old Testament, always describing a divine attribute or action. It is used in poetic and prayer contexts: in a historical prayer recalling God's character (Nehemiah 9:17), in a psalm of individual lament and hope (Psalm 130:4), and in Daniel's corporate confession (Daniel 9:9). Each usage appeals to God's forgiving nature as foundational to the covenant relationship, especially after Israel's failure.
Etymology
Derived from the verb סָלַח (sālach, H5545), meaning 'to forgive, pardon.' This root is used almost exclusively for God's forgiveness toward people, never human-to-human forgiveness. סְלִיחָה is the nominal form, capturing the concept or result of that pardoning action. Cognates in related Semitic languages also carry the sense of 'sparing' or 'letting go.'
Semantic Range
This word is central to understanding God's covenant mercy. It portrays forgiveness not as a reluctant obligation but as a ready, defining attribute of Yahweh (Nehemiah 9:17). It underscores that forgiveness originates from God's character ('with you there is forgiveness,' Psalm 130:4), not human merit. Grasping this Hebrew term enriches reading by highlighting that biblical pardon is a complete removal of guilt that enables fellowship and inspires worship.
In ancient Israelite culture, forgiveness was deeply tied to covenant loyalty (hesed). Human kings might grant pardons, but סְלִיחָה is reserved for the divine King, reflecting a worldview where ultimate moral debt is owed to God. This differs from some modern views where forgiveness is primarily an interpersonal or psychological process.
כַּפָּרָה (kappārâ, H3727) — atonement, covering; focuses on the means (often sacrificial) by which forgiveness is achieved. מְחִילָה (mᵉchîylâ, H5547) — forgiveness, pardon; a rarer synonym with similar meaning, used in parallel in Daniel 9:9. סְלִיחָה emphasizes the state of being pardoned.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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