Biblica Analytica

סַלָּח

sal.lach (H5546)

forgiving

1 verses 1 books OT 1 / NT 0
AI Word Study

# סַלָּח (Salach): A Rare Hebrew Term for Forgiveness The Hebrew word סַלָּח (salach) carries the meaning "forgiving" and appears only once in the biblical text. This extreme rarity makes it a distinctive lexical item in Hebrew Scripture. Unlike more common forgiveness vocabulary that appears repeatedly throughout the Bible, this term represents a single, isolated attestation, limiting our ability to observe how its meaning might vary across different contexts or literary genres. The word's singular occurrence prevents us from establishing a clear pattern of usage or nuance. Because we cannot compare it across multiple biblical passages, we cannot determine whether it functioned as a standard synonym for forgiveness or carried specialized theological weight. What we can confirm is that wherever it appears in Scripture, the biblical writers chose this particular form to express the concept of forgiving. Without additional occurrences, the full scope of its semantic range—whether it referred to divine forgiveness, human forgiveness, or both—remains constrained by the evidence available.

AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.

Psalms 86:5

For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.