### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun pallêṭ (`{{H6405}}`) is derived from the verbal root pālaṭ (`{{H6403}}`), which fundamentally means "to escape," "to slip away," or "to be delivered." As a noun, pallêṭ denotes the act or state of "escape" or "deliverance." It signifies a successful evasion from a perilous situation, such as danger, destruction, or capture. The term primarily emphasizes the outcome of a life-threatening circumstance where one is preserved from harm. Its semantic range is tightly focused on the concept of physical survival through flight or successful avoidance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term pallêṭ (`{{H6405}}`) appears in a limited number of Old Testament passages, consistently in contexts of urgent flight from danger.
* In [[2 Samuel 15:14]], King David, facing Absalom's rebellion, instructs his household, "Arise, let us flee, lest he overtake us quickly and bring evil upon us and strike the city with the edge of the sword." Here, pallêṭ refers to the immediate and necessary "escape" from an impending military threat and potential slaughter. It underscores a desperate measure taken to preserve life.
* The parallel accounts in [[2 Kings 19:37]] and [[Isaiah 37:38]] describe the aftermath of Sennacherib's assassination by his sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer. Following this act, they "escaped" (using pallêṭ `{{H6405}}`) into the land of Ararat. In these instances, pallêṭ denotes their successful flight from the consequences of their regicide, highlighting their physical removal from the scene and immediate retribution. This escape, while successful for them, occurs in the context of divine judgment against their father.
In all occurrences, pallêṭ signifies a narrow and successful evasion from a dire and life-threatening predicament, whether proactive (as in David's flight) or reactive (as in the sons of Sennacherib).
### Related Words & Concepts
* **pālaṭ (`{{H6403}}`)**: This is the primary verbal root from which pallêṭ (`{{H6405}}`) is derived. It describes the action of "to escape," "to be delivered," or "to get away safely." pallêṭ is the concrete outcome or state resulting from this action.
* **malṭāh (`{{H4422}}`)**: Another noun stemming from pālaṭ, also translated as "escape" or "deliverance." While similar in meaning, malṭāh can sometimes refer to a place of escape or a remnant, broadening its scope slightly beyond the direct act of escaping.
* **yāshaʿ (`{{H3467}}`)**: Meaning "to save," "to deliver," or "to help." This is a much broader term for salvation and often implies divine intervention and a comprehensive deliverance from distress, oppression, or sin. While pallêṭ describes a specific form of physical deliverance, yāshaʿ encompasses a wider range of rescue and salvation, often with a theological emphasis on God as the ultimate deliverer.
* **nātsal (`{{H5337}}`)**: "To snatch away," "to deliver," "to rescue." This verb also speaks of being pulled out of danger, often by a superior power. Like yāshaʿ, nātsal frequently highlights the active role of a deliverer, whereas pallêṭ focuses on the successful outcome for the one escaping.
* **Remnant (sh'erit `{{H7611}}` or she'ar `{{H7604}}`)**: The concept of a "remnant" is closely related, as those who "escape" a catastrophe often constitute the surviving portion of a group, preserving a lineage or covenant people.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of pallêṭ (`{{H6405}}`) carry significant theological weight, even in their limited number.
* **Divine Providence and Preservation**: While David's flight in [[2 Samuel 15:14]] appears to be a human strategic decision, the broader biblical narrative often frames such successful escapes within the context of God's providential care. Even when not explicitly stated, the preservation of key figures or groups can be seen as part of God's overarching plan, ensuring the continuation of His covenant purposes.
* **Consequences of Sin and Divine Judgment**: The escape of Sennacherib's sons in [[2 Kings 19:37]]/[[Isaiah 37:38]] serves as a stark reminder of the chaotic and often violent consequences of defying God. Their successful flight, while an "escape," is not portrayed as a blessed deliverance but rather as a grim outcome of their regicide, occurring in the wake of God's judgment on their father. This highlights that "escape" can be a morally neutral act, its theological import determined by the broader context of God's justice or mercy.
* **Fragility of Life and Need for Deliverance**: The very existence of a word like pallêṭ underscores the precariousness of human life in a fallen world, replete with dangers, conflicts, and the consequences of sin. It points to the constant need for deliverance, whether through human agency or divine intervention. The act of "escape" inherently acknowledges an underlying threat from which one needs to be saved.
### Summary
pallêṭ (`{{H6405}}`) is a Hebrew noun meaning "escape" or "deliverance," derived from the verb pālaṭ (`{{H6403}}`), "to slip away" or "to be delivered." Its appearances in the Old Testament, specifically in [[2 Samuel 15:14]] and [[2 Kings 19:37]]/[[Isaiah 37:38]], consistently denote a successful evasion from imminent danger or the consequences of actions. While often initiated by human actors, these "escapes" are frequently understood within the larger framework of divine providence or judgment. Theologically, pallêṭ highlights the fragility of human existence and the various ways individuals are preserved from peril, sometimes to fulfill God's purposes, and at other times as a consequence of human sin and the subsequent unfolding of divine justice. It serves as a poignant reminder of the constant need for rescue and the ultimate sovereignty of God in human affairs.
TRV