"I am the door..."

The words "saved" and "salvation" in both Greek and Hebrew are rich with meaning and give a deeper understanding of what it means to be a believer in Jesus Christ, though there are differences between the two languages.

"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture."

 In John 10:9 (NASB 1995) the Greek word used for "saved" is "sōthēsetai," derived from the root "sōzō," which means deliverance, preservation, and safety from danger, aligning with the idea of spiritual salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

According to Strong's Concordance, sōzō emphasizes rescue from peril and is often used in contexts of physical healing or safety as well as spiritual redemption.

This suggests not only deliverance from danger or destruction but also the idea of being kept whole and sound, capturing the essence of Jesus as the shepherd who provides security and sustenance to his flock.

In Isaiah 12:2 (NASB 1995), the Hebrew word for "salvation" is "יְשׁוּעָה" (yeshuah), coming from the root word "yasha," meaning to deliver, save, or help in trouble. “Yeshu’ah” encompasses deliverance, welfare, and victory. It underscores God's role as a savior, providing triumph over adversity and encompassing both physical and spiritual salvation.

"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation."

The Hebrew understanding of “yeshu’ah” is deeply tied to the covenant relationship with God, portraying salvation as both a tangible and spiritual deliverance by Yahweh. This word is deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual narrative of the Israelites as "yeshu'ah" conveys a broader sense of deliverance, encompassing physical, political, and spiritual dimensions. It often refers to God's intervention in times of distress, providing a holistic view of salvation that includes immediate and evident rescue as well as spiritual redemption.

While both languages highlight salvation as a divine act of rescue, the Greek "sōzō" adds a layer of spiritual permanence and fulfillment with focus on individual redemption and eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ as Messiah, while the Hebrew "yeshu'ah" includes a more holistic view of deliverance encompassing spiritual, physical, and communal aspects of God’s deliverance and providence in the tangible world.

This study would not be complete if we did not discuss the deep connections between the Hebrew word “yeshu’ah” and the name of Jesus. In Matthew chapter one we read a vital passage that reveals the name of the coming Messiah.

“…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”  Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” (Matthew 1:20-23 NASB 1995)

The word for “Jesus” in Matthew 1:21 is “Iésous”, the Greek translation of the Hebrew word, “Yeshua”. "Yeshua," is a shortened form of "Yehoshua," which means "Yahweh is salvation." This etymological (“etymology” is the study of words) connection emphasizes Jesus’ fulfillment of divine salvation promised in the Hebrew scriptures. The name of Jesus is not merely an identifier and a profound declaration of his role as the savior, aligning with the expectations and hopes captured in the concept of "yeshu'ah”, but His very name connects Old Testament and New Testament, old covenant and new covenant.

As Jesus said in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.”

Reference List:

1. Bible Hub. (n.d.). John 10:9 NASB. Retrieved from Bible Hub: https://biblehub.com/nasb1995/john/10.htm

2. Bible Hub. (n.d.). Isaiah 12:2 NASB. Retrieved from Bible Hub: https://biblehub.com/nasb1995/isaiah/12.htm

3. Strong, J. (1890). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible.

4. Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W. (1996). Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words.