יֵ֫שַׁע (ye.sah)
ye.sah
salvation
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 23 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun yeshâ means deliverance, rescue, or safety. It describes physical rescue from danger as well as spiritual welfare and prosperity. The word appears in contexts where God saves His people from enemies or provides for their needs, such as in the psalms of David (Psalm 18:2) and Isaiah’s prophecy of victory (Isaiah 61:10).
Its root verb means to be wide or spacious. This etymology suggests that salvation is not just escape but expansion—freedom from confinement and fear. Translators often render it "salvation," though the Hebrew sense includes practical safety and well-being, as seen in Job 5:4 where it refers to being kept safe from harm.
Unlike abstract concepts of help, yeshâ is concrete action by God. It appears frequently in personal declarations of trust, such as Psalm 27:9 where the psalmist cries, "Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help." The word carries weight because it points to God’s active role in restoring life and security.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word yeshâ points to more than a distant idea; it describes real, tangible rescue. When the psalmist calls God his rock of salvation, he is speaking of safety in the midst of danger. This word reminds us that our security does not come from our own strength but from God’s active intervention in our lives.
It carries a sense of spaciousness and freedom. Salvation here means being lifted out of confinement and fear into a place of well-being. Whether facing physical threats or spiritual uncertainty, this term assures us that God provides practical help and lasting peace for those who trust in Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 23 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- salvation/ my8×
- salvation/ your3×
- salvation/ our3×
- salvation3×
- salvation/ his1×
- safety1×
- on/ [the] salvation of1×
- from/ safety1×
- for/ [the] salvation of1×
- for/ [the] salvation1×
- and/ salvation/ my1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִשְׁעִֽ/י\׃3×
- יִשְׁעִ֑/י2×
- מִ/יֶּ֑שַׁע1×
- לְ/יֵ֣שַׁע1×
- לְ/יֵ֖שַׁע1×
- יֶֽשַׁע\׃1×
- יֶ֗שַׁע1×
- יֶ֔שַׁע1×
- יֶ֑שַׁע1×
- יִשְׁעֽ/וֹ\׃1×
- יִשְׁעֶ֑/ךָ1×
- יִשְׁעֵֽ/נוּ\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 27:1
By David. Yahweh is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? Yahweh is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
David declares Yahweh as his salvation directly before asking whom he should fear, linking the concept of rescue to the removal of anxiety.
-
Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My soul will be joyful in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
The prophet uses the imagery of being clothed in garments of salvation to describe a profound change in status and joy provided by God.
-
II Samuel 22:3
God is my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior, you save me from violence.
David identifies God as the horn of his salvation, using a metaphor for strength and deliverance from violence.
-
Micah 7:7
But as for me, I will look to Yahweh. I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.
Micah waits for the God of his salvation, showing that this word encompasses patient trust during times of personal distress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word yeshâ mean?
How is yeshâ different from abstract help?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (23 verses across 7 books)
II Samuel 4 verses
God is my rock in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge. My savior,…
II Samuel 22:36You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your gentleness has made me great.
II Samuel 22:47Yahweh lives! Blessed be my rock! Exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,
II Samuel 23:5Isn’t my house so with God? Yet he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure, for it is…