צְלַח (tse.lach)
tse.lach
to prosper
A:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb tse.lach means to succeed or prosper. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, primarily in the books of Ezra and Daniel. In these contexts, it describes a tangible outcome where God’s favor leads to visible success in a task or endeavor.
Its most striking usage occurs in Daniel 6:28, where the prophet notes that Darius ruled with prosperity because of Daniel’s influence. Here, tse.lach is linked to divine protection and political stability rather than personal wealth. The word implies that true success is rooted in God’s sovereign will, allowing His servants to thrive even in hostile environments.
Translators often render this term as "prosper" or "have success," capturing the idea of effective achievement under God’s guidance. Unlike modern notions of prosperity that focus on material gain, tse.lach emphasizes faithfulness and deliverance. It reminds readers that ultimate success is measured by obedience to God and His enduring presence in their lives.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word tse.lach points to a specific kind of success—one that flows from God’s favor rather than human effort alone. In the Old Testament, it appears only three times, always linked to divine guidance and protection. When we read about the builders in Ezra or the faithful friends in Daniel, we see that true prosperity is not merely about wealth or status. It is about seeing God’s purposes carried out effectively, even when circumstances are difficult.
This word reminds us that our work matters to God. Whether you are rebuilding something broken in your life or facing a hostile environment, tse.lach assures us that God can bring success through faithfulness. The focus shifts from personal ambition to trusting His sovereignty. We find hope knowing that our efforts, when aligned with His will, are sustained by His hand.
Ultimately, this term invites us to look beyond immediate results. It encourages a quiet confidence that God is at work in the details of our lives. By seeking His guidance first, we can find peace in the outcome, trusting that He defines what it means to truly prosper.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he caused to prosper1×
- and/ prospering1×
- and/ [is] prospering1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/מַצְלַ֥ח1×
- וּ/מַצְלְחִ֔ין1×
- הַצְלַ֛ח1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 5:8
Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is being built with great stones and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.
This verse shows the rebuilding effort succeeding because God’s favor was upon the workers, highlighting tangible divine support in their labor.
-
Ezra 6:14
The elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
Here, the elders’ success is directly tied to prophetic encouragement and obedience to God’s commandment, showing that spiritual alignment leads to effective action.
-
Daniel 3:30
Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.
Although the word itself is not in this specific text snippet provided, the context of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s promotion reflects the outcome of tse.lach—divine deliverance leading to visible success in a foreign court.