הַצָּלָה
Hatzalah
Deliverance, rescue, salvation
Hatzalah (הַצָּלָה) is a Hebrew word meaning “deliverance, rescue, salvation,” pronounced “ha-tsa-LAH.” Derived from the root נ-צ-ל, hatzalah appears 210 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H5337).
| Hebrew | הַצָּלָה |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Hatzalah |
| Pronunciation | ha-tsa-LAH |
| Meaning | Deliverance, rescue, salvation |
| Root Letters | נ-צ-ל |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 210× |
| Key Verse | Psalm 34:17 |
| Strong's Number | H5337 |
| Category | Warfare & Victory |
The Hebrew word hatzalah (הַצָּלָה) captures one of the Bible's most persistent themes: God rescues His people. From the Red Sea to Daniel's lions' den to Esther's salvation of her people, the verb 'hitzil' (to deliver) appears in nearly every major narrative. Hatzalah is not abstract theology — it is God reaching into impossible situations and pulling His people out. Psalm 34:17 crystallizes this: 'The righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of ALL their troubles.' Not some. All. The root natsal paints a picture of snatching someone from danger — like pulling a brand from fire (Amos 4:11) or rescuing a lamb from a predator's mouth (1 Samuel 17:35). For Christians, the ultimate hatzalah is salvation through Christ — God reaching into the human condition and rescuing us from sin and death.
Key Bible Verse: Psalm 34:17
“When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers (hitzil) them out of all their troubles.”
What Is the Root of Hatzalah in Hebrew?
Hatzalah comes from the root נ-צ-ל (nun-tsade-lamed), meaning 'to snatch away, to deliver, to rescue.' It implies urgent, dramatic action — pulling someone from immediate danger, a decisive intervention.
What Does Hatzalah Mean in the Bible?
The root n-ts-l appears over 210 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes God delivering Israel from Egypt (Exodus 3:8), rescuing individuals (Psalm 18:17), saving from death (Psalm 56:13), and future eschatological deliverance (Joel 2:32). Obadiah 1:17: 'On Mount Zion there shall be hatzalah.'
How Is Hatzalah Used in Modern Hebrew?
Hatzalah ambulance services operate in Jewish communities worldwide, from New York to Jerusalem. The name embodies 'pikuach nefesh' — saving life takes precedence over almost every other religious obligation.
How to Use Hatzalah in Prayer & Worship
Cry out to God for hatzalah in every area where you feel trapped. He is the God who snatches His people from danger. Declare: 'He delivered me because He delighted in me' (Psalm 18:19).
Frequently Asked Questions About Hatzalah
How do you say “Deliverance” in Hebrew?
“Deliverance” in Hebrew is Hatzalah (הַצָּלָה), pronounced “ha-tsa-LAH.” Hatzalah comes from the root נ-צ-ל (nun-tsade-lamed), meaning 'to snatch away, to deliver, to rescue.' It implies urgent, dramatic action — pulling someone from immediate danger, a decisive intervention.
What does Hatzalah mean in the Bible?
Hatzalah (הַצָּלָה) means “Deliverance, rescue, salvation” in Biblical Hebrew. The root n-ts-l appears over 210 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes God delivering Israel from Egypt (Exodus 3:8), rescuing individuals (Psalm 18:17), saving from death (Psalm 56:13), and future eschatological deliverance (Joel 2:32). Obadiah 1:17: 'On Mount Zion there shall be hatzalah.'
How do you pronounce Hatzalah?
Hatzalah is pronounced “ha-tsa-LAH.” The word comes from the Hebrew root נ-צ-ל.
What is the difference between hatzalah and yeshuah?
Both describe God's saving acts with different emphases. Hatzalah (from natsal) emphasizes snatching from danger — dramatic rescue in crisis. Yeshuah (from yasha, root of 'Jesus') emphasizes spacious freedom — being brought into open safety. Hatzalah is the rescue; yeshuah is the resulting state of salvation.
What is Hatzalah in modern Jewish communities?
Hatzalah is a volunteer emergency medical service in Jewish communities worldwide. Founded in 1965 in Brooklyn, these paramedics provide rapid first response, literally snatching people from medical emergencies — embodying the biblical theology of rescue.
How does God's deliverance work in the Psalms?
The Psalms present a consistent pattern: the righteous cry out, God hears, God delivers (hitzil). Psalm 34:17-19: 'The righteous cry out, the LORD hears and delivers them. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.'
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H5337: Hatzalah
- Bible Gateway — Psalm 34:17 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for נ-צ-ל
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