צָלֵחַ

From the study of 2 Chronicles 20:20

Range of meaning

In this causative form: to succeed, to carry something through, to bring a venture to a good end, to make a journey or task work out. It is used of a journey that succeeds (Genesis 24:21, 40, 56), of Joseph succeeding in whatever he did (Genesis 39:3, 23), of building projects completed (2 Chronicles 7:11), and of military outcomes (1 Kings 22:12, 15; 2 Chronicles 13:12, "do not fight against Yahweh… you will not succeed"). A separate, identical-looking root means "to rush upon" (of the Spirit seizing Samson); the supplied data correctly marks this one as the "prosper/succeed" sense.

Against the English

KJV/WEB "prosper"; BSB/ESV "succeed"; NIV "be successful." "Succeed" is closer. In current English "prosper" leans heavily toward money and wealth, which is not the focus of this word or this context.

How it drifted

"Prosper" in the 1611 KJV meant to fare well or have things turn out well (from Latin prosperare, "to cause to succeed"). Modern English, and especially later prosperity teaching, has narrowed it to financial gain.

Used elsewhere in the period

This is one of the Chronicler's signature words: 1 Chronicles 22:11, 13; 29:23; 2 Chronicles 14:7; 24:20 ("you transgress… and cannot succeed"); 26:5 ("as long as he sought Yahweh, God made him succeed"); 31:21; 32:30. In Chronicles, success follows seeking and trusting Yahweh, and failure follows abandoning him.

From the study of Proverbs 28:13

Range of meaning

Qal: to rush, advance, break through. Hiphil (the form here): to succeed, make progress, bring a venture through to a good end, thrive. Often used of an undertaking that 'comes off' (Gen 24:21, 40, 56; Josh 1:8; Ps 1:3; Jer 12:1, 'why does the way of the wicked succeed?').

Against the English

'Prosper' (all supplied versions) is a fair translation, but modern ears tend to hear money. The Hebrew means things go well and work out. Wealth is only one possible case of that.

How it drifted

In modern English 'prosper/prosperity' leans toward finance, which popular 'prosperity' teaching reinforces.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ps 1:3: whatever the righteous man does 'succeeds' (yatsliach, the same form). Josh 1:8: success linked with keeping Torah. Jer 12:1 complains that the wicked do succeed, so the wisdom claim is a general pattern, not a promise that holds without exception.

From the study of Genesis 39:2

Range of meaning

Basic idea: to go forward well, to get through, to succeed or reach the goal. In the causative form used here (Hiphil) it means either 'to make something succeed' (with an object) or 'to be successful, to carry things through' (without an object). It applies to journeys (Gen 24:21, 40, 42, 56: Abraham's servant asks whether Yahweh has 'made his journey succeed'), to plans and tasks (Josh 1:8; 1 Chr 22:11, 13; 2 Chr 26:5), and to anything a righteous person does (Ps 1:3). The emphasis is on outcome and effectiveness, not on owning things. Sometimes an object turns out well, as a tool 'is fit for' use (Jer 13:7, 10, 'good for nothing').

Against the English

KJV/WEB/YLT 'a prosperous man' and NIV 'he prospered' use a word that once meant 'doing well, things going forward' (Latin prosperus, 'favourable'). Today 'prosperous' most often means wealthy. BSB/ESV/NASB 'a successful man' and NLT 'succeeded in everything he did' are closer to how a modern reader will take it.

How it drifted

English 'prosper/prosperous' has narrowed over time toward money and affluence. The Hebrew word was never mainly about wealth, and in this verse it describes a slave who owns nothing.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX renders it here with epitynchanōn, 'hitting the mark, succeeding'. The same root runs through the Joseph chapter as a refrain (39:2, 3, 23), and through Gen 24, where it describes a mission's success. Related to the Aramaic tslach, used for the success of building work and of Daniel (Ezra 5:8; 6:14; Dan 6:28).