סָלַח

“To forgive” in Hebrew is Salach (סָלַח), pronounced “sa-LAKH.” Salach comes from the root ס-ל-ח (samech-lamed-chet), meaning 'to forgive, to pardon.' Uniquely in the Hebrew Bible, this verb is never used with a human subject — only God forgives with salach. The noun 'selichah' (forgiveness) and the plural 'selichot' (penitential prayers) derive from this root.

Salach (סָלַח) means “To forgive, to pardon” in Biblical Hebrew. Salach appears approximately 46 times in the Hebrew Bible, always with God as the subject. It is central to Solomon's Temple prayer (1 Kings 8), the prophets' intercession (Daniel 9:19), and the Psalms' celebration of God's mercy (Psalm 103:3). The Selichot prayers before Yom Kippur are built around this word.

Salach is pronounced “sa-LAKH.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ס-ל-ח.

Salach is exclusively divine in the Hebrew Bible — no human ever 'salach-es' another person. This reveals that ultimate forgiveness transcends human ability. We can release anger and choose reconciliation, but the deep, thorough pardoning of sin — removing guilt, restoring relationship, and declaring 'clean' — belongs to God alone. This is why the Jewish people gather annually on Yom Kippur to seek divine selichah.

Selichot (סְלִיחוֹת, from the root s-l-ch) are penitential prayers recited in the days leading up to Yom Kippur. They include confessions of sin, pleas for mercy, and repeated invocations of God's 13 Attributes of Mercy from Exodus 34:6-7. Selichot are often recited late at night or early morning, reflecting the urgency and sincerity of seeking God's salach.

The exclusivity of salach (only God forgives) illuminates why Jesus' declaration 'Your sins are forgiven' (Mark 2:5) was so explosive — He was exercising a divine prerogative. Christians believe Jesus has the authority to salach because He is God incarnate. The cross is the ultimate act of divine salach — God Himself bearing the cost of forgiveness.