מָלַט

From the study of Proverbs 19:5

Range of meaning

In this passive-reflexive form: to escape, slip away, get to safety, be rescued. It is used of fugitives fleeing danger (Genesis 19:17–22, Lot told to escape to the mountains; 1 Samuel 19:10–12, David escaping Saul) and of rescue in general.

Against the English

"Escape" (BSB, KJV) is accurate. WEB/NIV "go free" leans toward the legal sense and loses the image of flight.

Used elsewhere in the period

Proverbs 11:21; 28:26 ("he who walks in wisdom will be delivered"); Job 22:30; Amos 2:14–15 (no escape for the swift or the mighty).

From the study of Proverbs 28:26

Range of meaning

In the Niphal (the passive or reflexive form) it means to escape, slip away or get away safely. In other forms it means to rescue or deliver. It is used for fleeing a sword, a trap or a pursuer (1 Sam 19:10–12; Gen 19:17–20, Lot's escape from Sodom).

Against the English

KJV, YLT and ESV have "delivered". NASB has "rescued". BSB, WEB, NIV and NLT have "safe" or "kept safe". "Safe" describes a condition and loses the movement of escaping from a danger that is closing in.

Used elsewhere in the period

Prov 11:21: "the offspring of the righteous will escape" (nimlāṭ). Prov 19:5, 9: the false witness "will not escape". Elsewhere it is used for survivors of a catastrophe.

From the study of Isaiah 46:4

Range of meaning

The basic idea is to slip away or escape. In the piel form used here it means to let escape, get someone out safely, rescue (from enemies, danger, death). It is concrete deliverance from a threat, often physical.

Against the English

KJV/BSB/WEB "deliver" and ESV "save" are fine. A modern reader may hear "save" mainly as eternal, spiritual salvation. Here it means getting the people out of a real crisis: exile and the fall of empires.

How it drifted

Church use of "save/deliver" mostly refers to forgiveness and life after death. The Hebrew verb is about escaping danger in history.

Used elsewhere in the period

Isa 46:2: the Babylonian gods "could not rescue (mallet) the load; they themselves went into captivity". Also Ps 22:5 ("they cried to you and were rescued"); Ps 107:20; Isa 49:24–25 (can captives be rescued from a tyrant? yes). Deut 32:39 has a related idea: "no one rescues from my hand".