Salvation Definition - The Full Biblical Meaning (Accurate)

What is Salvation and what does it mean?

Salvation means being saved from sin and translated into the Kingdom of God, receiving Eternal Life that is knowing The Father and The Lord Jesus Christ (John 17) as a result of being known by Him Who reveals Himself to you. Salvation is the gift of God so no one can boast.

Here are the most commonly used words for salvation in Hebrew  with their Greek counterparts when applicable.

 1. יְשׁוּעָה (Yeshuah) — SALVATION

Most common Hebrew word for salvation — used over 70 times.
It means rescue from danger, victory, deliverance, help, and divine intervention.

Key Verses:

• Exodus 15:2 – “The Lord has become my salvation (yeshuah).”

• Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation.”

• Psalm 62:1 – “From Him comes my salvation.”

• Isaiah 12:2 – “Behold, God is my salvation (yeshuah); I will trust and not be afraid.”

This word is directly connected to the name JESUS (Yeshua) — meaning “Yahweh is salvation.”
Salvation in the OT is not merely spiritual — it includes physical deliverance, victory in battle, healing, safety, restoration, and covenant peace.

2. יָשַׁע (Yasha) — To Save / Deliver

Root verb of yeshuah.
Meaning: to bring into wide open space, “to set free,” “to give safety.”
Opposite of distress or bondage — implies liberty and restoration.

Key Verses:

• Psalm 34:6 – “This poor man cried, and the Lord saved him.”

• Psalm 18:3 – “I call upon the Lord... and I am saved from my enemies.”

• Isaiah 45:22 – “Look unto Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth.”

LXX Greek Equivalent:
σῴζω (sozo) – to save, deliver, heal (same word used of Christ healing the sick and saving the lost).

3. פָּדָה (Padah) — To Redeem by Payment

Meaning: to ransom, buy back, or rescue at a cost.
Used for slaves, firstborn, and captive people.

Key Verses:

• Exodus 13:13 – Firstborn must be redeemed (padah).

• Psalm 49:7 – “No man can ransom another soul.”

• Deuteronomy 7:8 – God redeemed Israel out of Egypt.

This implies a price must be paid — pointing toward substitutionary atonement in The Lord Christ Jesus.

LXX Greek:
λυτρόω (lutroō) — to ransom, set free (used of Christ in Titus 2:14).

4. גָּאַל (Ga’al) — Kinsman-Redeemer

This word refers to a family member who redeems another in distress.
Used for legal redemption, blood responsibility, and covenant protection.

Key Verses:

• Ruth 3:12 – Boaz as a kinsman-redeemer.

• Job 19:25 – “I know that my Redeemer (go’el) lives.”

• Isaiah 59:20 – “A Redeemer will come to Zion.”

Messianic Connection:
Christ fulfills this as our Go’el — our blood-related Redeemer (Heb. 2:14–15).

Greek LXX:
ἀπολύτρωσις (apolutrōsis) – redemption through blood (Eph. 1:7).

5. מָלַט (Malat) — To Escape / Be Delivered

Used of escaping danger, judgment, or death.

Key Verses:

• Psalm 124:7 – “Our soul has escaped like a bird.”

• Proverbs 11:21 – “The righteous shall be delivered.”

• Job 21:10 – “None escape God’s judgment.”

Often used in end-times context — deliverance from wrath.

Salvation Synonyms

• redemption
• deliverance
• saving
• help
• emancipation
• liberation
• pardon

What are Scriptures that Define Salvation or Being Saved?

• Titus 3:5 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 
  
• Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  
• Romans 10:9 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

• Matthew 7:21 - Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
• John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

What Does The Bible Say About Salvation from The Old Testament and New Testament?

• Acts 4:12 - Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
• John 6:44 - No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 
• Psalms 3:8 - Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
• Psalms 37:39 - But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.
• Psalms 62:1 - (To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David.) Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
• Acts 28:28 - Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
• Romans 6:14 - For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
• John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  
• Psalms 60:5 - That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.
• Galatians 2:21 - I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
• John 3:17 - For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 

More Scriptures

• Acts 2:1 - And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  
• Acts 2:36-41 - Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.  

How are We Saved According To The New Testament?

Salvation begins with recognizing our need for God. The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of His glory (Romans 3:23). We must repent—turning from sin—and believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again (Romans 10:9). Salvation is not earned by works but received by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). Call on Jesus, trusting Him as Lord and Savior, and He will forgive, cleanse, and give new life. Salvation brings reconciliation with God, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and eternal hope. Today is the day of salvation according to Scripture so open your heart and receive The Lord Jesus by faith.

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,thou shalt be saved.For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9–10)

Psalm 50:14–15

"Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."

Psalm 50:23
"Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God."