The Hebrew word miphlâṭ, represented by H4655, means an escape. It is derived from a root word for escape and appears only 1 time in the entire Bible, making its single usage particularly significant. This term encapsulates the idea of a place or act of getting away from danger.
The sole appearance of H4655 is in the Psalms, where the speaker expresses a desperate desire for deliverance. In a moment of overwhelming distress, the psalmist cries out, "I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest" Psalms 55:8. Here, the word conveys an urgent flight to safety from circumstances described metaphorically as a violent storm.
The meaning of H4655 is illuminated by the words used alongside it in its only context:
- H2363 chûwsh (to hurry; (make) haste(-n), ready): This word is paired directly with H4655 to emphasize the urgency of the situation. The psalmist doesn't just want an escape; he wants to hasten it. This same root is often used in cries for God to "make haste" to help (Psalms 70:1, Psalms 141:1).
- H5584 çâʻâh (to rush; storm): This word describes the very thing from which the "escape" is needed. It defines the threat as a rushing storm, giving a powerful image of the overwhelming trouble the psalmist faces Psalms 55:8.
The theological weight of H4655 comes from its vivid portrayal of the human condition in crisis and the longing for divine refuge.
- Urgent Need for Refuge: The combination of "escape" with "hasten" H2363 in the face of a "storm" H5584 underscores a profound sense of desperation and the need for immediate deliverance.
- Metaphor for Deliverance: The word is used metaphorically to describe salvation from intense trouble and persecution, not a literal weather event. It frames deliverance as a flight to a safe haven provided by God.
- A Cry of Faith: In its single scriptural context, the desire for an "escape" is part of a prayerful lament, positioning God as the only source of true safety from the tempests of life Psalms 55:8.
In summary, though H4655 appears only once, its meaning is powerful. It represents a desperate flight to safety and refuge. Its singular use in scripture paints a clear and memorable picture of someone seeking urgent deliverance from overwhelming, storm-like troubles, highlighting a core theological theme of seeking God as the ultimate escape from the perils of the world.
TRV