מָלַט (ma.lat)
ma.lat
to escape
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 74 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb malat conveys the idea of slipping away or escaping, often with a sense of suddenness or ease. Its root suggests smoothness, implying that escape happens like sliding off a slick surface rather than through brute force. This imagery appears in Genesis 19 when Lot pleads to flee Sodom, asking God to let him escape to a small town because he cannot reach the mountains. The word captures both physical flight and divine rescue, as seen when David’s men slip away from Saul’s pursuit.
In Scripture, malat frequently describes deliverance from danger, whether human enemies or natural threats. In Job 6:23, it refers to rescuing someone from peril, while in Jeremiah, it often marks those who survive judgment. The Piel stem extends the meaning to laying eggs, as in Isaiah 34:15, where creatures "lay" their young. This usage highlights a broader semantic range: malat covers anything that slips free or is delivered safely, including sparks leaping from fire or offspring emerging from the womb.
Translators typically render malat as "escape," "deliver," or "save," depending on context. Its versatility reflects its core image of slipping away smoothly, whether from danger, death, or confinement. This nuance distinguishes it from stronger terms for rescue, emphasizing agility and divine intervention rather than human effort.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word malat paints a vivid picture of slipping away from danger with surprising ease. It is not about brute strength but about finding an opening, a moment of grace that allows us to pass through tight spaces unharmed. When we read of David slipping out of Saul’s reach or Lot fleeing Sodom, we see that survival often depends on quick action and divine timing rather than our own power.
This imagery offers comfort when life feels like it is closing in. The biblical narrative shows that God frequently provides these sudden exits for those who trust Him. Whether it is physical rescue from enemies or spiritual deliverance from despair, the promise remains that there is always a way out if we look for it with faith and urgency.
Knowing this, we can face our own trials with hope. We do not need to rely on our ability to fight every battle. Instead, we can trust that God knows how to create paths where none seem to exist, guiding us safely through the most difficult seasons of our lives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 74 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he escaped7×
- and/ I have escaped/ !5×
- he will escape4×
- he escaped4×
- you will escape3×
- they escaped3×
- he will save3×
- escape3×
- and/ save3×
- to/ escape2×
- it will escape2×
- it has escaped2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִמָּלֵֽט\׃3×
- וָ/אִמָּ֨לְטָ֧/ה3×
- וַ/יִּמָּלֵ֖ט3×
- נִמְלַ֤ט2×
- נִמְלַ֖ט2×
- נִמְלְט֖וּ2×
- יִמָּלֵ֥ט2×
- יִמָּלֵ֣ט2×
- יִמָּלֵ֖ט2×
- יְמַלֵּֽט\׃2×
- יְמַלֵּ֥ט2×
- וַ/יִּמָּלֵ֗ט2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 19:17
It came to pass, when they had taken them out, that he said, “Escape for your life! Don’t look behind you, and don’t stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be consumed!”
The angel’s urgent command to 'Escape for your life!' highlights the immediate necessity of fleeing judgment without hesitation.
-
I Samuel 19:10
Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence; and he stuck the spear into the wall. David fled and escaped that night.
David’s ability to slip away from Saul’s spear demonstrates how divine protection can create unexpected openings in dangerous situations.
-
Judges 3:29
They struck at that time about ten thousand men of Moab, every strong man and every man of valor. No man escaped.
The statement that 'No man escaped' emphasizes the completeness of God’s judgment against Moab, showing that some dangers allow no way out.
-
I Kings 18:40
Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Don’t let one of them escape!” They seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and killed them there.
Elijah’s order to ensure not one prophet of Baal escapes underscores the seriousness of divine justice and the finality of God’s verdict.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word malat mean?
How is malat different from other words for rescue?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Every Occurrence (74 verses across 17 books)
Genesis 4 verses
It came to pass, when they had taken them out, that he said, “Escape for your life! Don’t look behind you, and don’t…
Genesis 19:19See now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your loving kindness, which you have shown…
Genesis 19:20See now, this city is near to flee to, and it is a little one. Oh let me escape there (isn’t it a little one?), and my…
Genesis 19:22Hurry, escape there, for I can’t do anything until you get there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.