נְצַל (ne.tsal)
ne.tsal
to rescue
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Aramaic verb nṣal appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, found in Daniel 6:17. It is an Aphel form, meaning it conveys a causative sense: to cause someone to be rescued or delivered from danger. This single occurrence describes the lion’s mouth being shut by God, effectively extricating Daniel from imminent death.
As an Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew nṣal (H5337), it shares the same core meaning of rescue. The use in Daniel highlights divine intervention in a foreign court setting. Translators typically render this as "rescue" or "deliver," capturing the sudden removal from peril.
Its rarity makes it a unique marker in the text. While the Hebrew nṣal appears frequently, this Aramaic instance stands alone in the canonical books. It underscores the theme of God’s power to save His people even in exile and under foreign rule.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you feel trapped by circumstances that seem unbreakable, this word reminds you that rescue is possible even in the most unlikely places. It appears in a foreign court where the power to save came not from human strength but from divine intervention. The text describes God shutting the mouths of lions, turning certain death into safety through His sovereign will.
This assurance encourages us when we face threats beyond our control. You do not have to manage every danger alone. The same God who delivered those men in Babylon is aware of your struggles today. His ability to rescue remains complete, offering peace when fear rises.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ rescue1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/הַצָּלָ֖ה1×
Key Verses
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Daniel 3:29
Therefore I make a decree that every people, nation, and language which speak anything evil against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill, because there is no other god who is able to deliver like this.”
This verse highlights the decree acknowledging that no other god possesses the power to deliver in such a dramatic and undeniable way.