Lexical Summary
tsalach: To prosper, succeed, advance, thrive
Original Word:צָלַח
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:tsalach
Pronunciation:tsaw-lakh'
Phonetic Spelling:(tsaw-lakh')
KJV: break out, come (mightily), go over, be good, be meet, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to, send) prosper(-ity, -ous, -ously)
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
break out, come mightily, go over, be good, be meet, be profitable, cause to, effect,
Or tsaleach {tsaw-lay'-akh}; a primitive root; to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive) -- break out, come (mightily), go over, be good, be meet, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to, send) prosper(-ity, -ous, - ously).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. [] ; — (Thes and others compare , Syriac
,
cleave, penetrate, then
advance, see following); —
Perfect3feminine singular consecutive1 Samuel 10:6; 3plural2 Samuel 19:18;Imperfect3masculine singularAmos 5:6 (see below), 3 feminine singularJudges 14:6 +; —rush,2 Samuel 19:18they rushed into the Jordan (dubious, see Dr HPS),Amos 5:6 lesthe rush like fire upon the house of Joseph (orO house, etc. GASm; Now conjecture ); especially of sudden possession by () , with , with personJudges 14:6 the Spirit . . .rushed upon him, soJudges 14:19;Judges 15:14;1 Samuel 10:6,10;1 Samuel 11:6; with person1 Samuel 16:13 and (of )1 Samuel 18:10.
II. [, ] (Late Hebrewid.; Phoenician Pi`el causative in proper name; Arabic
be good condition, compare Sabean SabDenkm93; Aramaic ,
prosper ); —
Perfect3feminine singularJeremiah 12:1;Imperfect3masculine singularJeremiah 13:7 +, etc.;Imperative masculine singular ; —prosper, of way of wickedJeremiah 12:1 compareNumbers 14:41;Isaiah 53:10;Isaiah 54:17;Ezekiel 17:9,10;Daniel 11:27; with of thing, =be good for anythingJeremiah 13:7,10;Ezekiel 15:4; subject person, absolute,Jeremiah 22:30,20;Ezekiel 17:15;Psalm 45:5be successful !Ezekiel 16:13and thou didst prosper to royalty (dubious; strike out Co Toy; >StaZAW vi (1886), 337 f. Krae i.e. harlotry).
Perfect3masculine singularGenesis 24:21, 2masculine singular1 Chronicles 22:11, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularNehemiah 2:20 +,1 Chronicles 29:23; 2Chronicles 32:30, etc.;Imperative masculine singular1 Kings 22:12 +,Nehemiah 1:11,Psalm 118:25, etc.;ParticipleGenesis 24:42 +; —
make prosperous, bring to successful issue, of , with accusative of man's way (),Genesis 24:21,40,42,56 (J), with accusative of thingGenesis 39:3,23 (J), with accusative of person 2 Chronicles 26:5, with personNehemiah 1:11;Nehemiah 2:20; absolutesend successPsalm 118:25; human subject with accusativeDeuteronomy 28:29;Joshua 1:8 (D),Isaiah 48:15;Psalm 37:7, so probablyPsalm 1:3 (al. below ), 2 Chronicles 7:11; with accusativeDaniel 8:25.
shew, experience, prosperity, of men1 Kings 22:12,15 2Chronicles 18:11,14;Jeremiah 2:37 (+ person in reference to whom)Jeremiah 5:28;Jeremiah 32:5;1 Chronicles 22:11,13;1 Chronicles 29:23; 2Chronicles 13:12; 2 Chronicles 14:6; 2 Chronicles 20:20; 24:20; 31:21; 32:30 (),Proverbs 28:13;Daniel 8:12 (of horn),Daniel 8:24;Daniel 11:36;Genesis 39:2 (J)a prosperous man; subjectJudges 18:5 (comparePsalm 1:3 above), 's wordIsaiah 55:11.
III. (√ of following; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; compare Aramaic ,
(in Lexicons)flat dish; Ethiopic
Amharic
(see PräAmh. Spr. § 65 c); Arabic
, allbowl, dish; see Frä63. 170).
[] (see Biblical Hebrew II. ); —
Perfect3masculine singularDaniel 3:30;Daniel 6:29;ParticipleEzra 5:8, plural -Ezra 6:14; —
cause to prosperDaniel 3:30 (with person).
shew prosperity, be prosperousDaniel 6:29 (of person);have success (in building)Ezra 6:14;be successful (of work)Ezra 5:8 ().
Topical Lexicon
Semantic and Theological Overviewצָלַח (tsalach) gathers under one roof ideas of breaking out, rushing forward, and succeeding. Whether describing a torrent of the Spirit, the steady growth of a righteous life, or the victory of a king, the verb consistently attributes true prosperity to the active hand of the LORD.
Distribution and Settings of Use
Approximately sixty-five instances appear across the historical books, wisdom literature, and prophets. Usage clusters around:
• Spirit-empowered leaders (Judges, Samuel)
• Royal and military advancement (Kings, Chronicles, Psalms)
• Covenant-based prosperity of the obedient (Torah, Joshua, Chronicles)
• Restoration narratives (Ezra, Nehemiah)
• Prophetic and messianic hope (Isaiah, Jeremiah)
Divine Empowerment: “The Spirit of the LORD Rushed Upon Him”
The earliest narrative concentration shows the verb joined to the Spirit’s sudden coming upon judges and kings:
•Judges 14:6; 14:19; 15:14 – Samson tears a lion, strikes the Philistines, and snaps ropes when “the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him.”
•1 Samuel 10:6, 10; 11:6 – Saul is transformed for kingship.
•1 Samuel 16:13 – “The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward.”
The forceful nuance underscores that human success originates in divine initiative, not innate ability.
Covenant Obedience and Prosperity
Joshua’s commission ties prosperity to meditating on Torah: “Then you will make your way prosperous and you will succeed” (Joshua 1:8). Chronicles echoes the theme repeatedly:
•2 Chronicles 26:5 – Uzziah “continued to seek God… and as long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.”
•2 Chronicles 31:21 – Hezekiah’s entire reform “he did with all his heart, and prospered.”
Failure to seek the LORD reverses the verb’s promise; prophets warn oppressive rulers, “you will not succeed” (2 Chronicles 13:12).
Providence in Adversity: Joseph and Exiles
Genesis 39 weaves the word into every scene of Joseph’s captivity:
“The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man” (39:2); “Whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper” (39:23).
Centuries later, Ezra and Nehemiah interpret imperial favor in the same light:
•Ezra 6:14 – “The elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the prophesying of Haggai…and Zechariah.”
•Nehemiah 2:20 – “The God of heaven will give us success. We His servants will start rebuilding.”
Diaspora believers learn to read even pagan sponsorship as divine propulsion.
Wisdom Portraits of Flourishing
Psalm 1:3 celebrates the settled, non-dramatic side of tsalach: “Whatever he does will prosper.”Proverbs 28:13 balances promise with ethics: “He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will find mercy.” The verb thus secures the link between moral integrity and holistic well-being.
Prayer Language and Liturgy
Corporate worship makes the verb a petition: “O LORD, we pray, give us success!” (Psalm 118:25). The supplication broadens individual prosperity into communal blessing, suitable for national festivals or local congregational prayer.
Royal and Messianic Reaches
Psalm 45:4 looks beyond Davidic experience: “In Your majesty ride forth in victory” (lit. “prosper”).Isaiah 53:10 widens the horizon to the Suffering Servant: “The will of the LORD will prosper in His hand.” The servant’s resurrection-colored success guarantees the triumph of redemption and sets a paradigm for Gospel mission.
Righteous Success Versus the Wicked’s Illusion
While the righteous prosper, weapons forged against Zion “will not prevail” (Isaiah 54:17). False prophets promise “Go up and succeed” (1 Kings 22:12), but their words unravel in judgment, proving that only success willed by God endures.
Ministry Implications
1. Dependence on the Spirit: Biblical leadership thrives when yielded to the Spirit’s rushing presence rather than to human strategy.
2. Word-Rooted Obedience: Meditation and obedience to Scripture position individuals and churches for authentic advancement.
3. Integrity and Confession: Unconfessed sin blocks prosperity; transparent repentance clears the channel for God-given growth.
4. Prayer for Mission:Psalm 118:25 licenses the church to pray boldly for success in evangelism, discipleship, and justice initiatives.
5. Hope in Suffering: Joseph and the Servant show that apparent setbacks can constitute the very path God uses to “cause to succeed.”
Summary
צָלַח gathers Israel’s testimony that true progress—personal, communal, or redemptive—springs from God’s presence, aligns with His covenant, and ultimately converges on the Messiah whose hand secures everlasting prosperity for His people.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּמַצְלִ֣יחַ במצליח הֲיִצְלַ֖ח הֲיִצְלָ֤ח הֲתִצְלָ֑ח הֲתַצְלִ֣יחַ הִצְלִ֣יחַ הִצְלִֽיחַ׃ הִצְלִיח֖וֹ הַֽהִצְלִ֧יחַ הַצְלִ֘יחָ֥ה ההצליח היצלח הצליח הצליח׃ הצליחה הצליחו התצלח התצליח וְהִצְלִ֖יחַ וְהִצְלִ֙יחַ֙ וְהִצְלִ֣יחַ וְהִצְלִ֤יחַ וְהִצְלִ֥יחַ וְהִצְלִֽיחַ׃ וְהִצְלִֽיחָה׃ וְהִצְלַחְתָּ֗ וְהַצְלִ֔יחוּ וְהַצְלִֽיחָה־ וְהַצְלִֽיחוּ׃ וְהַצְלַ֔ח וְיַצְלִ֑יחוּ וְצָלְח֥וּ וְצָלְחָ֤ה וַֽתִּצְלְחִ֖י וַיַּצְלִֽיחוּ׃ וַיַּצְלַ֑ח וַיַּצְלַ֥ח וַתִּצְלַ֣ח וַתִּצְלַ֤ח וַתִּצְלַ֨ח והצלח והצלחת והצליח והצליח׃ והצליחה־ והצליחה׃ והצליחו והצליחו׃ ויצלח ויצליחו ויצליחו׃ וצלחה וצלחו ותצלח ותצלחי יִצְלַ֖ח יִצְלַ֜ח יִצְלַ֣ח יִצְלַ֤ח יִצְלָ֔ח יִצְלָֽח׃ יַצְלִ֑יחַ יַצְלִ֣יחַֽ יַצְלִֽיחַ׃ יצלח יצלח׃ יצליח יצליח׃ מַצְלִ֑יחַ מַצְלִ֣יחַ מַצְלִ֥יחַ מַצְלִֽיחַ׃ מצליח מצליח׃ צְלַ֬ח צָלֵ֔חָה צלח צלחה תִּצְלָ֑ח תִצְלָ֔ח תִצְלָֽח׃ תַּצְלִ֔יחַ תַּצְלִ֥יחַ תַצְלִ֔יחוּ תַצְלִ֖יחִי תַצְלִ֖יחַ תַצְלִֽיחוּ׃ תצלח תצלח׃ תצליח תצליחו תצליחו׃ תצליחי bə·maṣ·lî·aḥ bəmaṣlîaḥ bematzLiach ha·hiṣ·lî·aḥ hă·ṯaṣ·lî·aḥ hă·ṯiṣ·lāḥ hă·yiṣ·laḥ hă·yiṣ·lāḥ hahiṣlîaḥ hahitzLiach haṣ·lî·ḥāh haṣlîḥāh hăṯaṣlîaḥ hatatzLiach hăṯiṣlāḥ hatitzLach hatzLiChah hăyiṣlaḥ hăyiṣlāḥ hayitzLach hiṣ·lî·aḥ hiṣ·lî·ḥōw hiṣlîaḥ hiṣlîḥōw hitzLiach hitzliCho maṣ·lî·aḥ maṣlîaḥ matzLiach ṣā·lê·ḥāh ṣālêḥāh ṣə·laḥ ṣəlaḥ taṣ·lî·aḥ ṯaṣ·lî·aḥ ṯaṣ·lî·ḥî ṯaṣ·lî·ḥū taṣlîaḥ ṯaṣlîaḥ ṯaṣlîḥî ṯaṣlîḥū tatzLiach tatzLichi tatzLichu tiṣ·lāḥ ṯiṣ·lāḥ tiṣlāḥ ṯiṣlāḥ titzLach tzaLechah tzeLach vaiyatzLach vaiyatzLichu vattitzLach vattitzleChi vehatzLach vehatzlichah vehatzLichu vehitzlachTa vehitzLiach vehitzLichah vetzaleChah vetzaleChu veyatzLichu wat·tiṣ·laḥ wat·tiṣ·lə·ḥî wattiṣlaḥ wattiṣləḥî way·yaṣ·laḥ way·yaṣ·lî·ḥū wayyaṣlaḥ wayyaṣlîḥū wə·haṣ·laḥ wə·haṣ·lî·ḥāh- wə·haṣ·lî·ḥū wə·hiṣ·laḥ·tā wə·hiṣ·lî·aḥ wə·hiṣ·lî·ḥāh wə·ṣā·lə·ḥāh wə·ṣā·lə·ḥū wə·yaṣ·lî·ḥū wəhaṣlaḥ wəhaṣlîḥāh- wəhaṣlîḥū wəhiṣlaḥtā wəhiṣlîaḥ wəhiṣlîḥāh wəṣāləḥāh wəṣāləḥū wəyaṣlîḥū yaṣ·lî·aḥ yaṣlîaḥ yatzLiach yiṣ·laḥ yiṣ·lāḥ yiṣlaḥ yiṣlāḥ yitzLach
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