מוֹשָׁעָה
deliverance
Definition
מוֹשָׁעָה is a noun meaning 'deliverance' or 'salvation,' specifically referring to an act of rescue or liberation. It denotes a concrete, active intervention that brings safety from danger or oppression. In its single biblical occurrence in Psalm 68:20, it is used in parallel with 'escape from death,' emphasizing God's powerful, life-saving action. The word carries a strong sense of being brought out of a dire situation into a state of safety and freedom.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 68:20, where it is used in a poetic declaration about God: 'Our God is a God of salvation (מוֹשָׁעָה), and to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death.' Its usage here is in a hymn of praise, celebrating Yahweh's character as the one who actively delivers His people. The context is corporate and liturgical, affirming God's saving power as a central attribute.
Etymology
מוֹשָׁעָה is a feminine noun derived from the root יָשַׁע (yāšaʿ, H3467), which means 'to save,' 'deliver,' or 'be spacious.' This root is the source for many significant salvation-related words in Hebrew, including the name יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua, 'Jesus'). The noun form מוֹשָׁעָה emphasizes the concrete result or act of the saving process—the deliverance itself.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it highlights God's active role as deliverer. It connects to the core biblical theme of salvation, portraying it not as a passive state but as a dynamic rescue. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by emphasizing that biblical salvation is God's powerful intervention in human crisis, a concept fully realized in the New Testament through Jesus, whose name (Yeshua) shares the same root.
In ancient Israelite culture, deliverance was often understood in tangible, physical terms—such as rescue from enemies, famine, or death. מוֹשָׁעָה would evoke images of military victory or dramatic escapes, reflecting a worldview where divine salvation was seen in historical events. This contrasts with some modern, more spiritualized understandings of salvation, reminding readers that God's saving work encompasses all of life.
יְשׁוּעָה (yeshûʿâh, H3444) — A very close synonym, also meaning 'salvation' or 'deliverance,' but more common and broader in usage. תְּשׁוּעָה (teshûʿâh, H8668) — Another synonym for 'salvation' or 'help,' often used in poetic and prophetic texts. פְּלֵטָה (peleṭâh, H6413) — 'Escape' or 'deliverance,' focusing on the act of getting away from danger.
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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