deliverance

Everyday

1. (formal) Deliverance is being rescued or set free from danger, suffering or evil. tree →
2. (church, Bible) In Christian and Jewish teaching, deliverance means God saving people, as when God led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Christians pray «deliver us from evil». tree →

In the lessons

A stiff and religious word: in Bible stories (the Exodus, Daniel in the lions' den) and hymns, deliverance means God's rescue. In adventure stories it means the moment of rescue after long danger. Phrases: «deliverance from slavery», «pray for deliverance», «a day of deliverance».

Examples

• The Israelites celebrated their deliverance from Egypt. tree →
• The sailors prayed for deliverance from the storm. tree →
• Passover remembers God's deliverance of the Israelites. tree →
• The rescue boat was their only hope of deliverance. tree →
• Daniel's deliverance from the lions amazed the king. tree →
• The prisoners waited many years for deliverance. tree →
• He rose and thanked God for his deliverance. tree →

Note

Uncountable and formal. From «deliver» (to rescue, as well as to bring parcels). Trap: deliverance is not «delivery» (bringing a parcel or giving birth). The Lord's Prayer says «deliver us from evil» — save us from evil.

In Jewish tradition

It means rescue by God from danger or death.

Interpretation. Joseph tells his brothers that God sent him ahead to save the family, and tradition sees this as God's hidden plan.

Examples

• And God sent me before you to give you a remnant on the earth, and to save you alive for a great deliverance. (Torah GEN.45.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• God is unto us a God of deliverances; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues of death. (Writings PSA.68.21, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou art my hiding-place; Thou wilt preserve me from the adversary; with songs of deliverance Thou wilt compass me about. (Writings PSA.32.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Saul said: 'There shall not a man be put to death this day; for to-day the LORD hath wrought deliverance in Israel.' (Prophets 1SA.11.13, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable and formal. From «deliver» (to rescue, as well as to bring parcels). Trap: deliverance is not «delivery» (bringing a parcel or giving birth). The Lord's Prayer says «deliver us from evil» — save us from evil.