Salvation in both the Tanakh (Old Testament) and the New Testament involves deliverance, but the emphasis differs:
The Tanakh focuses on national deliverance, atonement for sin through sacrifices, and restoration.
The New Testament shifts the focus to spiritual redemption and salvation from sin through Yahusha (Jesus) the Messiah.
I. Definition of Salvation in the Tanakh
In the Tanakh, salvation (Hebrew: יְשׁוּעָה yeshuah) often refers to deliverance from enemies, oppression, sin, or divine judgment. It is primarily seen as a national and physical rescue.
1. Salvation as Deliverance from Enemies
Exodus 14:13-14
“And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of YAHUAH, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. YAHUAH will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.’”
→ Yahuah’s salvation is seen in the physical deliverance of Israel from Egypt.
1 Samuel 17:47
“Then all this assembly shall know that YAHUAH does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is YAHUAH’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
→ Salvation is about Yahuah defeating Israel’s enemies.
2. Salvation as National Restoration
Isaiah 45:17
“But Israel shall be saved by YAHUAH with an everlasting salvation; you shall not be ashamed or disgraced forever and ever.”
→ Salvation is tied to Israel’s restoration and eternal security.
Jeremiah 30:10-11
“Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob, says YAHUAH, nor be dismayed, O Israel. For behold, I will save you from afar, and your seed from the land of their captivity.”
→ Yahuah's salvation includes gathering Israel from exile.
3. Salvation and the Law (Torah)
Deuteronomy 6:24-25
“And YAHUAH commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear YAHUAH our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before YAHUAH our God, as He has commanded us.”
→ Obedience to the Torah was a key aspect of salvation in Israel’s covenant relationship with Yahuah.
4. The Future Messianic Salvation
Isaiah 49:6
“Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the nations, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
→ The Messiah (Servant of YAHUAH) is a source of salvation, not just for Israel but for the nations.
II. Salvation from Sin in the Tanakh
In the Tanakh, salvation is not only about military or national deliverance but also about atonement for sin through Yahuah’s mercy, sacrifices, and repentance.
1. Salvation Requires Repentance and Forgiveness
Psalm 51:1-2, 7-9 (David’s repentance after sinning)
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin… Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow… Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.”
→ David understood that salvation from sin comes through Yahuah’s mercy, purification, and forgiveness.
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together, says YAHUAH. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
→ Salvation includes cleansing from sin.
2. Salvation through Sacrifices and Atonement
Leviticus 17:11
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”
→ Yahuah instituted sacrificial atonement for sin, a major aspect of salvation in the Tanakh.
Leviticus 16:30 (Day of Atonement)
“For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before YAHUAH.”
→ The Day of Atonement sacrifice was central to national and individual salvation from sin.
3. Salvation through Confession and Returning to Yahuah
Ezekiel 18:21-22
“But if the wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live.”
→ Salvation from sin is also about repentance and turning back to Yahuah’s ways.
Hosea 14:1-2
“O Israel, return to YAHUAH your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take words with you, and return to YAHUAH. Say to Him, ‘Take away all iniquity; receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.’”
→ Confession and repentance bring salvation.
III. Salvation in the New Testament: Sin and Redemption
In the New Testament, salvation is centered on deliverance from sin and eternal death through Yahusha’s sacrifice.
1. Salvation Comes Through Faith in Yahusha’s Blood
Matthew 1:21
“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Yahusha, for He will save His people from their sins.”
→ Yahusha’s mission was salvation from sin, fulfilling the atonement purpose of the Tanakh sacrifices.
John 1:29
“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
→ Yahusha replaces the sacrificial system, fulfilling Leviticus 17:11.
Hebrews 9:12
“Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”
→ Yahusha’s blood provides complete salvation, unlike the repeated sacrifices in the Tanakh.
2. Salvation by Grace, Not Just Works
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
→ The New Testament shifts salvation from obedience to Torah alone to faith in Yahusha’s sacrifice.
3. Salvation through Repentance and Confession
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
→ Just as in Ezekiel 18 and Hosea 14, repentance remains central to salvation.
IV. Key Similarities and Differences
Aspect | Tanakh (Old Testament) | New Testament |
Who Saves? | YAHUAH alone (Isaiah 43:11) | YAHUAH through Yahusha (Acts 4:12) |
Salvation from Sin? | Through repentance and sacrifices (Leviticus 16) | Through Yahusha’s sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12) |
Means of Salvation | Obedience to Torah + Sacrifices (Deuteronomy 6:25) | Faith in Yahusha + Repentance (Romans 3:22-25) |
Salvation Type | Physical and spiritual (Psalm 51, Isaiah 1:18) | Spiritual and eternal (John 3:16, Revelation 21:4) |
Atonement? | Animal sacrifices (Leviticus 17:11) | Yahusha’s blood (Hebrews 9:12) |
Final Restoration? | Israel’s national restoration (Jeremiah 30:10) | The Kingdom of God for all who believe (Romans 11:25-26) As well as national restoration back to the land |
IV. Conclusion: How Salvation Evolves from the Tanakh to the New Testament
Tanakh:
Salvation is primarily about deliverance from enemies and restoration of Israel.
Sin is atoned for through animal sacrifices and repentance.
Salvation is national and communal, though individual repentance matters.
New Testament:
Salvation is primarily about deliverance from sin and eternal life.
Yahusha’s sacrifice replaces the animal sacrificial system.
Salvation extends to both Israelites and Gentiles.
Ultimately, both the Tanakh and the New Testament emphasize that salvation comes from YAHUAH alone, but the New Testament sees Yahusha as the fulfillment of the sacrificial system. Both perspectives align in the belief that YAHUAH is the source of salvation, but the New Testament expands the scope beyond Israel's national fate to include eternal salvation for individuals. The New Testament also includes the national salvation of Israel from the land of their captivity, just as in the Old Testament.
Luke 1:68-71 (Zechariah’s Prophecy) “Blessed is Yahuah, the God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people, and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began, that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.”
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