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Physics and Definition of Sin, Repentance and Forgiveness – Part 3: Types of Forgiveness and their Definitions: Salach

Sin is a broad subject with a lot to talk about.  I don’t want to talk about sin without talking about repentance.  I don’t want to talk about repentance without talking about forgiveness.  The few things I want to cover are:

If you do not understand something I’m saying, please ask.  The concept may be hard to grasp at first but it will change how you see yourself and your life when you do.

Types of Forgiveness and their Definitions

Salach – סלח

Pictographically, salach is to ‘take hold of the leader for protection’.  The simech (ס) is a thorn which is to ‘take hold’, the lamed (ל) is a shepherd’s staff whish is ‘leader’ and the chet (ח) is a wall which is ‘protection’.  When we take hold of God, we become his servants and are inside his wall of protection.  If we do not take hold of God, we are not his servants and outside his wall of protection where the workers of iniquity, murders, and idolaters are (Luke 13:27, Rev 22:15).

This can be seen in the parable of the man whose debt was forgiven but did not forgive another’s debt to him.

Matt 18:22-35
22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

The literal meaning of this word is to ‘lift out of debt’.  Conceptually, it is as the parable portrays: a petitioning of the one in debt to the one he is in debt to or one greater for mercy.  If mercy is shown, deserved judgment is withheld.  If mercy is not shown, the debt must be paid or a just punishment rendered.

When we sin, we become in debt or servants to sin.  We cannot deliver ourselves from sin because we are not able to repay the debt.  Because sin, like the wicked servant, will not forgive us our debt, we must petition to one greater, God, who is able to and has delivered us from our debt to sin hence making us free.

Rom 6:20-23
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.
21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become servants of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In regards to the sin and trespass offerings, only chatah – accidental sin is salach – forgiven (Lev 4:20, 26, 31, 35, 5:10, 13, 16, 18, 6:7).

This word is typically translated as forgive and pardon.

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