נָצַל

From the study of Proverbs 11:4

Range of meaning

To snatch away, pull out, rescue, deliver. It is often physical: from an enemy's hand, a lion's mouth, a fire. It is also used of recovering stolen goods (1 Sam 30:8).

Against the English

"Delivers" (KJV, WEB, YLT) keeps the active verb with righteousness as its subject. BSB's "brings deliverance" turns the verb into a noun and loses some of the picture of a rescuer grabbing someone.

Used elsewhere in the period

Amos 3:12 (shepherd snatching remnants from a lion), 1 Sam 17:35 and Zeph 1:18 ('their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them', the same verb). The overlap with Zephaniah suggests this was a stock contrast: money cannot natsal you, but something else can.

From the study of Proverbs 10:2

Range of meaning

In this form: to snatch away, pull out, rescue or deliver. It is used of rescuing sheep from a lion's mouth (1 Sam 17:35; Amos 3:12), people from enemies, and souls from death or Sheol (Ps 33:19; 56:13; 86:13).

Against the English

"Delivers" (KJV, WEB, YLT) is good. BSB's "brings deliverance" turns the verb into a noun, which softens the picture of righteousness itself doing the rescuing. NLT's "can save your life" is correct in meaning but loses the picture of something seized from death's grip.

Used elsewhere in the period

Zephaniah 1:18 and Ezekiel 7:19: "neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath." These use the same verb, with wealth as the failed rescuer. Ps 49:6–9 makes the same point: no one can pay a ransom to keep a life from the grave.

From the study of Proverbs 2:16

Range of meaning

Causative form: 'to snatch away, pull out, rescue, deliver', often from a power or danger already closing in: from enemies, a lion's mouth (Amos 3:12) or death (Ps 33:19). It suggests pulling someone out of a grip, not just keeping them at a safe distance.

Against the English

KJV, WEB and YLT 'deliver', BSB 'rescue', ESV 'be delivered' (passive). These are all accurate. 'Rescue' best keeps the physical sense of pulling out.

Used elsewhere in the period

In this chapter it occurs only at v. 12 and v. 16. That gives two matching rescues, from 'the evil man' (vv. 12–15) and from 'the outsider woman' (vv. 16–19). This was a standard pairing of dangers in instruction for young men.