What does מָלַט (mālaṭ) mean in the Bible?
H4422 means to escape, slip away, deliver, or rescue. 10, David escapes Saul's spear and flees that night, treating lethal danger as reason to leave.
Hebrew · H4422
מָלַט
Properly, to be smooth , i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue ; specifically, to bring forth young , emit sparks
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
מָלַטH4422
Pronunciationmālaṭ
What does מָלַט (mālaṭ) mean in the Bible?
H4422 means to escape, slip away, deliver, or rescue. 10, David escapes Saul's spear and flees that night, treating lethal danger as reason to leave.
Reader summary
Full entry for מָלַט (H4422) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H4422?
The BSB source-word alignment has 95 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include escape (13), and escaped (5), escaped (5), have escaped (5), Run (5).
Where does מָלַט (mālaṭ) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 19:17. Its strongest book concentrations include 1 Samuel (13), Jeremiah (13), Job (11), Isaiah (9).
What This Word Actually Means
H4422 means to escape, slip away, deliver, or rescue. In 1Sam. 19. 10, David escapes Saul's spear and flees that night, treating lethal danger as reason to leave. In Esth. 4. 13, Mordecai warns Esther not to assume palace position will let her alone escape the threat against all Jews. In Joel. 2. 32, everyone who calls on the Lord's name will be saved, with deliverance among the remnant God calls.
H4422 opens teaching on urgent safety, courageous solidarity, false privilege, divine deliverance, and refuge. It does not require remaining in danger, guarantee escape from every earthly harm, or make a survivor responsible to rescue everyone before seeking safety.
How the Bible Uses It
H4422 describes escape from killers, battles, cities, judgment, traps, and political danger, as well as rescuing others. Its narratives include wise flight, narrow survival, failed escape, and promised deliverance.
- 1Sam.19.10
Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear. But David eluded him and the spear struck the wall. And David fled and escaped that night.
David evades Saul's spear and escapes that night rather than remaining within a lethal household.
- Esth.4.13
He sent back to her this reply: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews.
Esther is warned that palace privilege will not isolate her from the planned destruction of her people.
- Joel.2.32
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has promised, among the remnant called by the Lord.
Calling on the Lord's name is joined to promised deliverance among the remnant whom God calls.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itescape13×1 Kings 18:40, Job 20:20, Proverbs 19:5, Isaiah 20:6
and escaped5×Judges 3:26, 1 Samuel 19:10, 1 Samuel 19:12, 1 Samuel 19:18
escaped5×1 Samuel 22:20, 1 Samuel 30:17, 1 Kings 20:20, Isaiah 37:38
have escaped5×Job 1:15, Job 1:16, Job 1:17, Job 1:19
Run5×Genesis 19:17, Genesis 19:19, Genesis 19:22, 1 Samuel 19:11
Save5×1 Kings 1:12, Psalms 33:17, Jeremiah 51:45, Amos 2:14
will escape3×Proverbs 11:21, Jeremiah 48:8, Amos 9:1
. . .2×1 Samuel 27:1, Jeremiah 39:18
had escaped2×Judges 3:26, 1 Samuel 23:13
I have escaped2×2 Samuel 1:3, Job 19:20
to escape2×1 Samuel 27:1, 2 Kings 10:24
whoever escapes2×1 Kings 19:17
will be delivered2×Daniel 11:41, Daniel 12:1
and deliver you1×Isaiah 46:4
and escape1×Malachi 3:15
and he has escaped1×1 Samuel 19:17
and I will slip1×1 Samuel 27:1
and preserve it1×Isaiah 31:5
and took refuge1×1 Samuel 22:1
and were set free1×Psalms 22:5
and yet escape1×Ezekiel 17:15
be delivered1×Isaiah 49:24
Can he deliver1×Psalms 89:48
deliver1×Psalms 116:4
deliver me1×Job 6:23
delivered us1×2 Samuel 19:9
escapes1×Ecclesiastes 7:26
Flee1×Genesis 19:17
has escaped1×2 Chronicles 16:7
have slipped away1×Psalms 124:7
He rescued them1×Psalms 107:20
He will deliver [even]1×Job 22:30
he would have saved1×Ezekiel 33:5
I rescued1×Job 29:12
I will surely rescue you1×Jeremiah 39:18
let me flee1×Genesis 19:20
let me go1×1 Samuel 20:29
of them escaped1×Judges 3:29
or the woman escaping1×Jeremiah 48:19
release1×Ecclesiastes 8:8
rescuing him1×Job 22:30
saved1×Ecclesiastes 9:15
she delivered1×Isaiah 66:7
she will lay1×Isaiah 34:15
shoot forth1×Job 41:19
slipped away1×2 Samuel 4:6
things escape1×Ezekiel 17:15
to relieve1×Isaiah 46:2
undisturbed1×2 Kings 23:18
who have saved1×2 Samuel 19:5
will be retrieved1×Isaiah 49:25
will be safe1×Proverbs 28:26
will be saved1×Joel 2:32
will deliver him1×Psalms 41:1
you alone will escape1×Esther 4:13
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 19:17הִמָּלֵ֣טtoRunVerb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singularGenesis 19:17הִמָּלֵ֖טtoFleeVerb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singularGenesis 19:19לְהִמָּלֵ֣טtorunPreposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive constructGenesis 19:20אִמָּלְטָ֨הtolet me fleeVerb - Nifal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singularGenesis 19:22הִמָּלֵ֣טtoRunVerb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singularJudges 3:26נִמְלַ֖טtohad escapedVerb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singularJudges 3:26וַיִּמָּלֵ֖טtoand escapedConjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularJudges 3:29נִמְלַ֖טtoof them escapedVerb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular1 Samuel 19:10וַיִּמָּלֵ֖טtoand escapedConjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular1 Samuel 19:11מְמַלֵּ֤טtorunVerb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 19:17
Aligned rows95
Books represented20
Genesis5Judges31 Samuel132 Samuel41 Kings52 Kings32 Chronicles1Esther1Job11Psalms8Proverbs3Ecclesiastes3Isaiah9Jeremiah13Ezekiel4Daniel2Joel1Amos4Zechariah1Malachi1
Source forms
וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה3xwā·’im·mā·lə·ṭāhJob 1:16, Job 1:17, Job 1:19
וַיִּמָּלֵ֖ט3xway·yim·mā·lêṭJudges 3:26, 1 Samuel 19:10, 1 Samuel 22:1
יִמָּלֵֽט׃3xyim·mā·lêṭProverbs 19:5, Proverbs 28:26, Isaiah 49:24
הִמָּלֵ֣ט2xhim·mā·lêṭGenesis 19:17, Genesis 19:22
וַיִּמָּלֵ֗ט2xway·yim·mā·lêṭ1 Samuel 19:18, 1 Kings 20:20
יְמַלֵּ֥ט2xyə·mal·lêṭEcclesiastes 8:8, Amos 2:14
יִמָּלֵ֥ט2xyim·mā·lêṭ1 Kings 18:40, Amos 9:1
יִמָּלֵ֣ט2xyim·mā·lêṭEcclesiastes 7:26, Daniel 12:1
Parsing patterns
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular14x1 Kings 18:40, 2 Kings 10:24, Proverbs 19:5, Proverbs 28:26
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular8xJudges 3:26, 1 Samuel 19:10, 1 Samuel 19:12, 1 Samuel 19:17
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular8xJob 20:20, Job 22:30, Psalms 33:17, Psalms 89:48
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular7xJudges 3:26, Judges 3:29, 1 Samuel 23:13, 1 Samuel 30:17
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular4xJob 1:15, Job 1:16, Job 1:17, Job 1:19
Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singular3xGenesis 19:17, Genesis 19:22
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular3xJeremiah 34:3, Jeremiah 38:18, Jeremiah 38:23
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural3x2 Samuel 4:6, 2 Kings 19:37, Isaiah 37:38
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Do not tell someone facing domestic violence, stalking, trafficking, war, or suicidal danger to remain in place as proof of faith.
- Do not promise that prayer or righteousness guarantees immediate physical escape from every threat.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not claim that seeking safety is cowardice or that every faithful person must confront an abuser directly.
- Do not claim that H4422 guarantees rescue on a timetable or removes the need for emergency services and lawful protection.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Escape through slipperiness; to slip away from danger or constraints, hence to deliver or preserve.
Strong'sH4422
Lexical occurrences95 versesWord forms3 forms55 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkIsaiah 46:1-4Source Gloss
properly, to be smooth , i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue ; specifically, to bring forth young , emit sparks
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Escape through slipperiness; to slip away from danger or constraints, hence to deliver or preserve.
properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit sparks BDB: slip away Usage: deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone, let go, preserve, save, × speedily, × surely.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups3Aligned forms55
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action40×
Imperfect2Kgs 10:24 · Amos 9:1 · Dan 12:1 · Eccl 7:26 · Ezek 17:18 · Isa 49:24 · Isa 49:25 · Jer 32:4 · Joel 3:5 · Prov 19:5 · Prov 28:26 · Jer 34:3 · Jer 38:18 · Jer 38:23 · 1Sam 27:1 · Dan 11:4118×
Perfect1Sam 23:13 · 1Sam 30:17 · 2Chr 16:7 · Jer 41:15 · Judg 3:26 · Judg 3:29 · Prov 11:21 · 2Kgs 19:37 · 2Sam 4:6 · Isa 37:38 · 2Sam 1:3 · Ps 124:713×
Sequential imperfectGen 19:17 · Gen 19:22 · Zech 2:114×
Jussive1Kgs 18:40 · Jer 46:62×
Cohortative1Sam 20:29 · Gen 19:202×
Infinitive construct1Sam 27:11×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action14×
ImperfectAmos 2:14 · Amos 2:15 · Eccl 8:8 · Job 20:20 · Job 22:30 · Ps 33:17 · Ps 89:49 · Job 29:129×
Participle active1Sam 19:111×
PerfectEzek 33:51×
Infinitive constructIsa 46:21×
Infinitive absoluteJer 39:181×
Sequential imperfectJer 48:61×
Hithpaelreflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others1×
ImperfectJob 41:111×
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
God's causative action to rescue and preserve people from danger
To slip away or get free from captivity or hostile circumstances
Assurance that the wicked will not go unpunished or evade judgment
False witness cannot evade or slip away from ultimate consequences
Showing 4 selected witnesses from 95 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
מָלַט is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
For the Preacher and Teacher
H4422 treats escape as a serious good without making it an absolute promise. David evades a spear, leaves the house, and continues moving through networks of warning and refuge. His flight is not unbelief; it is an appropriate response to Saul's lethal violence. Esther's palace creates apparent distance from danger, yet Mordecai exposes the illusion that privilege can guarantee private survival while a whole people is targeted.
Joel moves toward God's promised deliverance for those who call on His name, a text the New Testament uses in announcing salvation through the Lord. Other passages soberly state that military strength or speed cannot always secure escape. Faithful application helps endangered people make safety plans, honors those who assist flight, and resists shaming survivors.
It also calls privileged people into courageous solidarity without demanding reckless action from victims. Ultimate salvation rests in God even when earthly escape is partial, delayed, or denied.
Anchor passage
Joel.2.32
Doctrinal connections
- H4422: David's flight shows that leaving a lethal environment can be faithful and wise.
- H4422: deliverance often involves warnings, allies, windows, roads, shelters, and other concrete means.
- H4422: Esther's position cannot guarantee private escape from a threat directed at her people.
- H4422: human speed, strength, and political shelter remain limited sources of security.
- H4422: calling on the Lord names trust in the God who creates a saved remnant.
- H4422: biblical hope honors both temporal rescue and faithful witness when earthly escape does not come.
H4422 is a Hebrew verb used in intransitive senses for escaping and causative senses for delivering or letting escape. The subject and object distinguish self-preservation from rescue of another.
From Old to New Testament
Peter and Paul cite Joel's promise that everyone who calls on the Lord's name will be saved, while Jesus and the apostles also flee some threats, endure others, and never turn avoidable danger into a universal test of faith.