צָלַח
𐤑𐤋𐤇
tsâlach
H6743 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To succeed, to advance or make progress, to thrive or prosper. The verb denotes achieving success or making effective progress, often with an emphasis on vigorous movement or enablement towards a desired outcome. In various contexts, it conveys material prosperity, successful endeavor, or the effective advancement of a task or person—frequently with an implicit sense of divine enablement or favor.
Semantic Range
to succeed, to advance, to prosper, to achieve successful progress, to thrive, to have effective outcome, to make prosperous, to break out (of limitation), to be empowered to progress
Root / Etymology
The root צלח (ts-l-ḥ) conveys a fundamental sense of 'to advance' or 'to succeed.' The verb form צָלַח expresses the idea of moving forward vigorously, breaking through obstacles, and, by extension, accomplishing or thriving in an undertaking. The underlying imagery may refer to forceful progression, though in usage it often focuses on the result—success or prosperity—rather than the manner of movement. Derived forms reflect both literal physical advancement and metaphorical success in endeavors.
Historical & Contextual Notes
צָלַח is used throughout the Hebrew Bible in a range of contexts: (a) Describing individuals who achieve success or are enabled to succeed (Genesis 24:21; 1 Samuel 10:6), often in relation to the advancement of the Israelite people or leaders. (b) Signaling the effective progress of a task, such as the success of building (Nehemiah 1:11; 2:20). (c) Referring to the thriving of crops or people (Ecclesiastes 11:6). The verb frequently appears with God or God's spirit as the agent, emphasizing success as a result of divine action or favor (e.g., Judges 14:6; 1 Samuel 16:13). English translations often render it as 'prosper,' 'succeed,' or 'advance,' but the original nuance relates to real progress or breakthrough, not merely material prosperity. The verb can signify both personal (individual) and communal success. It is distinct from other Hebrew verbs denoting prosperity or blessing (e.g., שָׁלוֹם shalom—completeness, peace—or בָּרַךְ barak—to bless), as צָלַח focuses specifically on generative or effective progress in actions and endeavors. Usage is consistent from early Israelite narratives through post-exilic texts, and later translation traditions sometimes interpret success as material wealth, though the Hebraic concept is broader, including spiritual and communal thriving as enabled by God.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or צָלֵחַ; 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).
Bantu Hebrew
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צלח (ts-l-ḥ) — to succeed, to advance, to make prosper, to break through
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6744 | צְלַח | he made prosper |
| H6745 | צֵלָחָה | and in the spread-out platters |
| H6746 | צְלֹחִית | pouring flask |
| H6747 | צַלַּחַת | in the broad dish |
| H6766 | צֶלְצַח | in Tseltsach |
Word Forms
30 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6743-30 |
יִצְלָֽח | yitselach | HVqi3ms |
prosper | he will succeed | 7 |
H6743-16 |
וַ/תִּצְלַ֨ח | vatitselach | HC/Vqw3fs |
came mightily | and she advanced successfully | 7 |
H6743-24 |
וְ/הִצְלִ֣יחַ | vehitselicha | HC/Vhp3ms |
and he will prosper | and he caused to prosper | 7 |
H6743-09 |
מַצְלִ֣יחַ | matselicha | HVhrmsa |
caused to prosper | one causing to prosper | 4 |
H6743-13 |
תִצְלָֽח | titselach | HVqi3fs |
it will succeed/prosper | she will succeed | 3 |
H6743-12 |
תַצְלִֽיחוּ | tatselichu | HVhi2mp |
you-prosper | you will cause to prosper | 3 |
H6743-29 |
יַצְלִֽיחַ | yatselicha | HVhi3ms |
prosper | he will cause to succeed | 3 |
H6743-10 |
תַצְלִ֖יחַ | tatselicha | HVhi2ms |
you will prosper | you will make prosper | 3 |
H6743-20 |
וְ/הַצְלַ֔ח | vehatselach | HC/Vhv2ms |
and prosper | and cause to prosper | 3 |
H6743-18 |
וַ/יַּצְלַ֑ח | vayatselach | HC/Vhw3ms |
and prospered | and he caused to prosper | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
65 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6743-02 |
Genesis 24:21 | הַֽ/הִצְלִ֧יחַ | hahitselicha | HTi/Vhp3ms |
had prospered/made successful | he caused to prosper |
H6743-24 |
Genesis 24:40 | וְ/הִצְלִ֣יחַ | vehitselicha | HC/Vhp3ms |
and prosper | and he caused to prosper |
H6743-09 |
Genesis 24:42 | מַצְלִ֣יחַ | matselicha | HVhrmsa |
make successful | one causing to prosper |
H6743-07 |
Genesis 24:56 | הִצְלִ֣יחַ | hitselicha | HVhp3ms |
has prospered | he made prosper |
H6743-09 |
Genesis 39:2 | מַצְלִ֑יחַ | matselicha | HVhrmsa |
successful | one causing to prosper |
H6743-09 |
Genesis 39:3 | מַצְלִ֥יחַ | matselicha | HVhrmsa |
caused to prosper | one causing to prosper |
H6743-09 |
Genesis 39:23 | מַצְלִֽיחַ | matselicha | HVhrmsa |
made prosper | one causing to prosper |
H6743-13 |
Numbers 14:41 | תִצְלָֽח | titselach | HVqi3fs |
succeed | she will succeed |
H6743-10 |
Deuteronomy 28:29 | תַצְלִ֖יחַ | tatselicha | HVhi2ms |
you will prosper | you will make prosper |
H6743-10 |
Joshua 1:8 | תַּצְלִ֥יחַ | tatselicha | HVhi2ms |
you shall make prosperous | you will make prosper |