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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.

Translation Consistency

primary "succeed" 9 occurrences

“Succeed” best captures the typical semantic range of צָלַח — achieving effective progress, advancing, thriving, or having a favorable outcome (including divinely enabled success). It is the most frequent and naturally readable choice across contexts, while remaining broad enough to cover both personal prosperity and successful action.

Alternatives (6 occurrences):
"prosper" (3x) "prospered" (3x)

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

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

צלח (tsâlach) — to advance, to succeed, to prosper

Root צלח 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

Word Forms

30 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H6743-16 וַ/תִּצְלַ֤ח vatitselach HC/Vqw3fs came mightily and she advanced successfully and it advanced successfully 7
H6743-24 וְ/הִצְלִֽיחַ vehitselicha HC/Vhp3ms and he will prosper and he caused to prosper and he caused to succeed 7
H6743-30 יִצְלַ֤ח yitselach HVqi3ms prosper he will succeed he will succeed 7
H6743-09 מַצְלִ֣יחַ matselicha HVhrmsa caused to prosper one causing to prosper one causing to succeed 4
H6743-10 תַּצְלִ֔יחַ tatselicha HVhi2ms you will prosper you will make prosper you will prosper 3
H6743-12 תַצְלִֽיחוּ tatselichu HVhi2mp you-prosper you will cause to prosper you (pl.) will cause to succeed 3
H6743-13 תִצְלָ֔ח titselach HVqi3fs it will succeed/prosper she will succeed it will succeed 3
H6743-20 וְ/הַצְלַ֔ח vehatselach HC/Vhv2ms and prosper and cause to prosper and cause to succeed 3
H6743-29 יַצְלִ֣יחַֽ yatselicha HVhi3ms prosper he will cause to succeed he will cause to succeed 3
H6743-06 הֲ/יִצְלַ֖ח hayitselach HTi/Vqi3ms Will he succeed will he succeed will he succeed 2

Occurrences in Scripture

65 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H6743-21 Nehemiah 1:11 וְ/הַצְלִֽיחָ/ה vehatselichah HC/Vhv2ms/Sh and grant-success and cause to prosper and cause to prosper
H6743-29 Nehemiah 2:20 יַצְלִ֣יחַֽ yatselicha HVhi3ms will give us success he will cause to succeed he will cause to succeed
H6743-23 1 Chronicles 22:11 וְ/הִצְלַחְתָּ֗ vehitselacheta HC/Vhq2ms and prosper and you made prosper and you prosper
H6743-10 1 Chronicles 22:13 תַּצְלִ֔יחַ tatselicha HVhi2ms you will prosper you will make prosper you will prosper
H6743-18 1 Chronicles 29:23 וַ/יַּצְלַ֑ח vayatselach HC/Vhw3ms and prospered and he caused to prosper and he prospered
H6743-07 2 Chronicles 7:11 הִצְלִֽיחַ hitselicha HVhp3ms he succeeded he made prosper he caused to succeed
H6743-12 2 Chronicles 13:12 תַצְלִֽיחוּ tatselichu HVhi2mp you will succeed you will cause to prosper you will succeed
H6743-19 2 Chronicles 14:6 וַ/יַּצְלִֽיחוּ vayatselichu HC/Vhw3mp and they prospered they caused to prosper and they prospered
H6743-20 2 Chronicles 18:11 וְ/הַצְלַ֔ח vehatselach HC/Vhv2ms and prosper and cause to prosper and cause to succeed
H6743-22 2 Chronicles 18:14 וְ/הַצְלִ֔יחוּ vehatselichu HC/Vhv2mp and prosper and cause to prosper! and cause you (pl) to succeed!
H6743-22 2 Chronicles 20:20 וְ/הַצְלִֽיחוּ vehatselichu HC/Vhv2mp and succeed and cause to prosper! and succeed
H6743-12 2 Chronicles 24:20 תַצְלִ֔יחוּ tatselichu HVhi2mp you-prosper you will cause to prosper you (pl.) will cause to succeed
H6743-08 2 Chronicles 26:5 הִצְלִיח֖/וֹ hitselicho HVhp3ms/Sp3ms he prospered he made him succeed he made him succeed
H6743-24 2 Chronicles 31:21 וְ/הִצְלִֽיחַ vehitselicha HC/Vhp3ms and prospered and he caused to prosper and he caused to succeed
H6743-18 2 Chronicles 32:30 וַ/יַּצְלַ֥ח vayatselach HC/Vhw3ms And prospered and he caused to prosper and he prospered
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