### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
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.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
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.
### Related Words & Concepts
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]].
### Theological Significance
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]].
### Summary
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