Part of Speech:Noun Masculine Transliteration:cela` Pronunciation:seh’-lah Phonetic Spelling:seh’-lah Definition:Rock, cliff Meaning:a craggy rock from an unused root meaning to be lofty; a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress) — (ragged) rock, stone(-ny), strong hold.
Corresponding Greek:– G4073 (πέτρα, petra):Often used in the New Testament to describe a large rock or bedrock, similar to “sela” in its metaphorical use for strength and stability.
The Hebrew word “sela” primarily refers to a rock or cliff, often used to describe a large, immovable mass of stone. It conveys the idea of strength, stability, and permanence. In the biblical context, “sela” is frequently used metaphorically to describe God as a refuge and source of protection for His people.In the ancient Near East, rocks and cliffs were significant geographical features that provided natural fortresses and places of refuge. They were often associated with safety and security, especially in the arid and mountainous regions of Israel. The imagery of God as a “rock” would have resonated deeply with the Israelites, who understood the protective and enduring nature of such formations.
It is a fortress built literally into a rock. The place called Petra is the same word as the Greek word πέτραl, and it is the best example of a sela’.
In the 4th Century BC it was the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom. It’s a historic and archaeological city in southern Jordan and has been a location used in modern times by several film-makers.
This city was carved out of a stone mountain and the inhabitants were able to successfully defend themselves against enemy attacks by taking advantage of the mountainous terrain in that area.
In ancient times those under threat of an enemy army would run for the safety they found in the mountains. Whoever made it to the highest ground often had the best defensive position.
No doubt that is where we get the familiar saying; “It’s time to head for the hills.”
As believers in Messiah Jesus Christ/Yeshua haMashiach we are in a war, it is a spiritual war against evil led by the enemy of our souls. The sure way we defeat the enemy is to go to The Rock.
The Rock of our salvation/deliverance.
The Rock of Ages.
The Hebrew word sela’forrockused in this verse really means thecleft of the rock.
The term “cleft of the rock” appears in the Bible as a significant symbol of
divine protection,
refuge,
and revelation.
The cleft is an opening or a split in the mountain, which is the safest place to hide when pursued by the enemy in early times. it’s difficult sometimes to be in the cleft of the rock where our Heavenly Father has placed us, but that’s the best place to be, because it’s the center of His will for our lives.
Last post we learned that a Hebrew word for
fortress is matsud/matsuwd,
which has its origins in the word for:
a prey and
one that is hunted or being chased.
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matsuwd: Fortress, stronghold, net, bulwark
Original Word: מָצוּד Part of Speech: Noun Feminine Transliteration:matsuwd Pronunciation:maw-tsood’ Phonetic Spelling:maw-tsood’ Definition:Fortress, stronghold, net, bulwark Meaning:a net, capture, a fastness. From the root verb צוּד (tsuwd), meaning “to hunt” or “to lie in wait.”
The word eventually took on the idea of a fortress
for the one being chased will seek a sela’ or a fortress.
So the Lord is a sela’ for the matsud meaning:
The Lord is the fortress
in the cleft of the rock
for those being pursued or hunted.
The word sela’ is a word play on the Hebrew word selah which means: to rise up. In ancient times the army which achieved the higher ground was the army that could not be defeated. As we go to war against the enemy, we need to:
rise up and take shelter in the cleft of the rock,
which is the heart of our heavenly Father.
The safest place to be is in the center of His will and that is His heart.
Then finally Adonai is the Deliverer.
The one being hunted or pursued not only finds Adonai to be
a fortress in the cleft of the rock or sela’
but He will also deliver us from those that are pursuing us.
The Hebrew word deliverer is palat,
which is a word that is used for:
one who helps another person escape from a prison.
6403 palat
Original Word: פָלַט Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: palat Pronunciation:pah-LAHT Phonetic Spelling:paw-lat’ Definition: To deliver, to rescue, to escape Meaning: to slip out, escape, to deliver
palat — To deliver, to rescue, to escape. The Hebrew verb “palat” primarily conveys the action of delivering or rescuing someone from danger or distress. It is often used in contexts where divine intervention is implied, highlighting God’s role as a deliverer.
The term can also refer to the act of escaping from a perilous situation, emphasizing the successful evasion of harm.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, the concept of deliverance was deeply intertwined with the belief in divine protection and intervention. The Israelites often found themselves in situations where they needed deliverance, whether from physical enemies, natural disasters, or spiritual oppression. The use of “palat” in the Hebrew Bible reflects a worldview where God is seen as a powerful and active deliverer, capable of saving His people from any threat.
Our Heavenly Father not only hides us in the
‘cleft of the rock’,
but when the danger is passed,
He will lead us out of that secure place into a place of safety.
‘Rock of Ages‘ is a well known hymn by Rev. A. M. Toplady.
Another hymn about the cleft of the rock was written by Fanny Crosby. She was blind from the age of 7 and without doubt faced fears that we who have our sight will never understand; and yet between 1820-1915 she wrote 3194 hymns and over 8,000 inspirational poems. Probably the best known include ‘Blessed Assurance’,
‘Tell me the story of Jesus’
and the one that reflects this post:
‘He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock’.
Many people struggle with fears of various things, some may seem unreasonable, but nevertheless they are fears.
To overcome those fears we too can find safety in the sela’, the cleft of the rock, where our Heavenly Father eventually palat, led her, as He will with us into a safe place.
It is a possibility that the psalmist wrote the word sela’ because he was making a play on the word selah which means: to rise above.
Selah, (Hebrew סֶלָה), is a short but meaningful term woven into the fabric of the Psalms and Habakkuk. While its exact meaning may encompass: pause, exalt, or lift up, rise above; the overall effect is to draw readers and worshipers into deeper contemplation of our Heavenly Father’s majesty, mercy, and mighty acts.
When our Heavenly Father palat’s us, or delivers us,
we too will selah – rise above all our troubles and be at peace/shalom,
as we keep our mind focused on Him.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.
We can be certain of this because Yeshua is the Rock of our salvation, and the phrase occurs several times in the Old Testament. TaNaKH – Deuteronomy 32:15; 2 Samuel 22:47; Psalm 89:26; 95:1.
The term “The Rock of our Salvation” is a profound biblical metaphor that signifies
the strength,
stability,
and reliability
of our Heavenly Father,
as the foundation of faith and deliverance for His people.
Ps 62:2. God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe and the fortress where I am secure. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my high tower; I shall not be greatly moved. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress; I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor rest on God, my strong rock; my refuge is in God.”
In 1 Corinthians 10:4, Paul refers to Christ as the spiritual rock that accompanied the Israelites:“And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that Rock was Christ.”
The depiction of our Heavenly Father as the Rock of Salvation, carries significant spiritual implications. It highlights His immutability and faithfulness, assuring all believers of His constant presence and support; and particularly in reference to the Israelites journey through the wilderness and ours through this life. He is always with us and this metaphor also emphasizes His role as a protector and deliverer, offering salvation and refuge to those who trust in Him.
Furthermore, the identification of Messiah as the spiritual rock in the New Testament/Brit Chadashah, highlights the continuity of our Heavenly Fathers ongoing work of salvation from the Old Testament to the New. It affirms the belief that Yeshua/Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the Fathers promise of salvation, providing a firm foundation for the faith of believers.
He indeed is the rock of ages and the idea that He is, simply means that,
He is stedfast and true,
unmoving, unyielding,
and He does not change.
Hebrews 13:8 affirms,
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The expression
cleft of the rock,
is found in
Exodus 33:22.
Whenmyglorypassesby, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by.
The word sela’ is a word play on the word
selah which means:
to rise up.
In ancient times the army which achieved the higher ground was the army that could not be defeated. As we continue to fight the good fight of faith against the enemy, we need
to rise up and
take shelter in the cleft of the rock
which is our Fathers’ heart
and is most assuredly
the safest place to be!
Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
It’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.
In the previous post we looked at
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