or תְּשֻׁעָה; from שָׁוַע in the sense of יָשַׁע; rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual); deliverance, help, safety, salvation, victory.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun tᵉshûwʻâh (תְּשׁוּעָה, `{{H8668}}`) fundamentally denotes "rescue" or "deliverance." Derived from the root שָׁוַע (shâwaʻ, to cry out for help) and closely related to יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, to save, deliver, or give victory), tᵉshûwʻâh encapsulates the active and effective intervention that brings one out of danger, distress, or oppression into a state of safety and well-being. Its semantic range is broad, encompassing literal, physical rescue (e.g., from enemies or natural disaster), national deliverance (e.g., from foreign subjugation), and even spiritual salvation, though the latter is often understood through the lens of God's mighty acts of rescue in the Old Testament. The word carries strong connotations of divine aid and triumph, often translated as "help," "safety," "salvation," or "victory," depending on the context. It signifies the successful outcome of a saving act, emphasizing the state of being saved or the act of saving itself.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term tᵉshûwʻâh appears frequently throughout the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Psalms, Prophets, and historical books, underscoring God's consistent role as the deliverer of His people.
In [[1 Samuel 11:13]], after Saul's decisive victory over the Ammonites, the people proclaim, "The Lord has worked salvation (tᵉshûwʻâh) today in Israel," highlighting its use in the context of military triumph and national deliverance. Similarly, [[Proverbs 21:31]] states, "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory (tᵉshûwʻâh) belongs to the Lord," affirming that ultimate success in conflict is divinely ordained.
The Psalms frequently attribute tᵉshûwʻâh directly to God. [[Psalm 3:8]] declares, "Salvation (tᵉshûwʻâh) belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people!" This verse encapsulates the theological truth that deliverance is not of human making but is a divine prerogative and gift. [[Psalm 68:19]] blesses "the Lord, who daily bears our burden, God our salvation (tᵉshûwʻâh)," portraying God as the constant source of rescue and sustenance.
In the prophetic literature, tᵉshûwʻâh often carries eschatological weight. [[Isaiah 45:17]] promises, "Israel is saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation (tᵉshûwʻâh); you shall not be put to shame or confounded to all eternity." Here, the concept extends beyond temporary relief to an enduring, eternal deliverance, pointing to God's ultimate plan for His people. The varied contexts demonstrate that tᵉshûwʻâh is God's comprehensive answer to humanity's need for rescue, whether from physical peril, national threat, or spiritual bondage.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary conceptual root for tᵉshûwʻâh is יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, `{{H3467}}`), the verb "to save" or "to deliver." Tᵉshûwʻâh is the nominal form, representing the *act* of saving or the *state* of being saved. This close relationship means that wherever God is presented as "saving" (yâshaʻ), the outcome or result is tᵉshûwʻâh. Another closely related noun is יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, `{{H3444}}`), which is often synonymous with tᵉshûwʻâh and also translates to "salvation" or "deliverance." While subtle distinctions may exist in specific contexts, they largely share the same semantic field, emphasizing God's powerful intervention.
Other related terms include:
* שָׁוַע (shâwaʻ, `{{H7768}}`): The verb "to cry for help," indicating the human cry that often precedes God's tᵉshûwʻâh.
* עֶזְרָה (ʻezrâh, `{{H5833}}`): "Help" or "aid," which can be a component or aspect of tᵉshûwʻâh.
* פְּדוּת (pᵉdûth, `{{H6299}}`): "Redemption" or "deliverance," often involving a payment or ransom. While distinct, redemption leads to tᵉshûwʻâh.
* נָצַל (natsal, `{{H5337}}`): "To deliver" or "to rescue," another verb describing the action that results in tᵉshûwʻâh.
These interconnected terms highlight the multifaceted nature of God's saving work, where tᵉshûwʻâh stands as the ultimate outcome—the comprehensive deliverance from all forms of adversity.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of tᵉshûwʻâh is profound, centering on the character and activity of God. It is consistently portrayed as originating solely with Yahweh. Humans cannot achieve true tᵉshûwʻâh by their own strength or wisdom; it is a divine prerogative and an act of sovereign grace. This concept underscores God's omnipotence, His faithfulness to His covenant promises, and His deep compassion for His people.
Tᵉshûwʻâh demonstrates God's active involvement in human history and individual lives, responding to cries of distress (שָׁוַע) with powerful acts of rescue (יָשַׁע). It is a testament to His redemptive purpose, evident in the deliverance from Egypt, the victories over enemies, and the restoration from exile. In its broadest sense, tᵉshûwʻâh points to the ultimate salvation that God provides, culminating in the person and work of the Messiah. The New Testament concept of salvation (Greek sōtēria, `{{G4991}}`) finds its deep roots and foreshadowing in the Old Testament understanding of tᵉshûwʻâh as God's comprehensive and eternal deliverance. It is not merely the absence of peril but the establishment of a state of security, well-being, and peace granted by divine favor.
### Summary
Tᵉshûwʻâh (תְּשׁוּעָה, `{{H8668}}`) is a rich Hebrew term signifying "rescue," "deliverance," "salvation," and "victory." Rooted in verbs meaning "to cry for help" and "to save," it describes the active, effective intervention that brings one out of distress into safety. Biblical occurrences demonstrate its application across literal, national, and spiritual contexts, consistently attributing its source to God alone. It is closely related to יָשַׁע (to save) and יְשׁוּעָה (salvation), emphasizing God's sole prerogative and power in delivering His people. Theologically, tᵉshûwʻâh profoundly reveals God's character as the faithful, compassionate, and omnipotent Deliverer, whose saving acts are foundational to His covenant relationship with humanity and anticipate the ultimate salvation found in the Messiah.
TRV