מִפְלָט
an escape
Definition
The Hebrew noun מִפְלָט (miphlâṭ) refers to a place or means of escape, refuge, or deliverance from danger. It specifically denotes a secure location where one can flee to safety, often from pursuing enemies or life-threatening situations. In its sole biblical occurrence, Psalm 55:8, the psalmist expresses a desperate longing to 'hasten to my place of escape (מִפְלָטִי) from the raging wind and storm.' This portrays the word as conveying not just a simple getaway, but a sheltered refuge from overwhelming turmoil.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 55:8. In this poetic context, David uses it metaphorically, expressing his deep desire to flee from the betrayal and strife caused by a close friend (Psalm 55:12-14). The usage is personal and emotional, depicting a yearning for a safe haven from relational and spiritual distress, rather than a physical, military escape.
Etymology
מִפְלָט is a masculine noun derived from the root פלט (pālaṭ, H6403), which means 'to escape, deliver, slip away.' It is related to other nouns from the same root, such as פְּלֵיטָה (pəlêṭâ, H6413), meaning 'escape' or 'survivors.' The root conveys the core idea of a narrow or swift deliverance from a tight or dangerous situation.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, this word enriches the biblical theme of God as a refuge. The psalmist's cry for a 'מִפְלָט' ultimately points to God Himself as the true shelter from life's storms (cf. Psalm 46:1, 61:3). Understanding this Hebrew term deepens our appreciation for the Psalms as honest prayers that seek divine rescue, reinforcing the doctrine that God is a secure stronghold for those who trust in Him amidst betrayal and trouble.
In the ancient Near East, cities of refuge (עָרֵי מִקְלָט) provided legal asylum (Numbers 35). While מִפְלָט is a different word, it shares the conceptual world of seeking sanctioned safety. The psalmist's use likely resonates with this cultural understanding of designated safe havens, applying it spiritually to the sanctuary found in God's presence.
מַחֲסֶה (maḥăseh, H4268) — a more common word for 'refuge,' emphasizing a place of trust and shelter. מִשְׂגָּב (miśgāḇ, H4869) — a 'stronghold' or 'high fortress,' highlighting security and elevation. פְּלֵיטָה (pəlêṭâ, H6413) — focuses more on the act of escape or the survivors themselves, rather than the place of refuge.
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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