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Hebrew · Strong's H8668

תְּשׁוּעָה

(tesh-oo-AH)

noun, feminine

This feminine noun refers to God’s saving acts, often in a military context, bringing deliverance and victory to his people.

The Hebrew noun תְּשׁוּעָה (tesh-oo-AH) primarily denotes salvation, deliverance, or victory. It frequently appears in contexts where God intervenes to rescue his people from enemies or difficult circumstances. While it can describe human deliverance, its most significant theological weight comes from its association with YHWH as the ultimate source of salvation. The word encompasses both the act of saving and the resulting state of being saved.

This term often has a martial connotation, describing God granting victory in battle. It highlights God’s power and sovereignty over the affairs of nations and individuals. The concept is deeply embedded in Israel’s history, recalling divine interventions that secured their existence and freedom. It is not merely an abstract concept but a visible demonstration of God’s active involvement in the world.

תְּשׁוּעָה is often paired with themes of righteousness, justice, and faithfulness, underscoring that God’s saving acts are consistent with his character. It brings joy and praise to those who experience it, prompting declarations of God’s greatness. While the deliverance discussed can be physical and immediate, it also points to a broader understanding of God’s faithful care for his covenant people. The term looks both backward to past deliverances and forward to future hopes of divine intervention.

Common English renderings

  • deliverance
  • help
  • safety
  • salvation
  • victory

Key verses

"And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day; for to-day Jehovah hath wrought deliverance in Israel."

1 Samuel 11:13
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"Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honorable, because by him Jehovah had given victory unto Syria: he was also a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper."

2 Kings 5:1
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"And he said, Open the window eastward; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot; and he shot. And he said, Jehovah’s arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Syria; for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them."

2 Kings 13:17
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"And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people; for the people heard say that day, The king grieveth for his son."

2 Samuel 19:2
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"He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword; and Jehovah wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to take spoil."

2 Samuel 23:10
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