Word Study: save, saved

Phoenix Seminary

Biblical Interpretation

Dr. Fred Chay

by

Troy A. Griffitts

12-November-2003

Word Study

save, saved

In many ways the words in Hebrew and Greek for 'save' and 'saved' are used in much the same way in the Old and New Testament as we use our English word 'save', save for a small number of nuances. Some of the nuances include, in English we use the word 'save' to mean 'except' as used in the previous sentence. In Greek the same word for salvation is also used for healing / to be made whole, which would be a stretch in modern English. In Hebrew the word used for salvation is also used to mean 'aide' or 'help', where in English using 'save' for these situations might work, but it would generally be thought of as overdramatic and inappropriate.

Some of the similarities in the Old Testament include using 'save' meaning to deliver from the destroying hand of an enemy, or also to deliver from a lesser danger than death. In the New Testament, 'to save' is used a number of way that seem to have worked their way into our contemporary language directly from the New Testament. It is used when speaking of deliverance from sin, and also to mean granting of eternal life. Many of the more common usages also are seen, like to deliver from death or other situation of malcontent.

2003-11-12T15:52:13