Words · Hebrew Words · Lesson 3, word 2 of 5
צֶדֶקtsedeq / tsedaqah
Rightness and righteousness, in court, kingdom and character.
Why this word is here. The word-family credited to Abraham in Genesis 15:6 and demanded by Amos in the public square; Paul's dikaiosyne translates it.
What it means
The lexicon range for tsedeq: justice, rightness, righteousness. It covers what is right or normal (just weights and measures), righteousness in government (of judges, kings, and the Davidic Messiah), God's own attribute of rightness, rightness in speech, ethical righteousness, and, importantly, righteousness as vindication, deliverance and victory, God's covenant-keeping rescue of his people. The related noun tsedaqah behaves the same way.
So biblical righteousness is bigger than private morality: it is the world measured straight, in courts, markets, worship and God's own saving acts.
Where you meet it
Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:6 (BSB)
Anchor verse Abram believed God 'and it was credited to him as righteousness (tsedaqah)'. The verse Paul and James both argue from.
And if we are careful to observe every one of these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us, then that will be our righteousness.
Deuteronomy 6:25 (BSB)
'And it will be our righteousness (tsedaqah) if we are careful to observe all this commandment.' Righteousness as a life actually lived in God's ways.
But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Amos 5:24 (BSB)
'Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness (tsedaqah) like an ever-flowing stream.' The demand is public: courts and streets, not only hearts.
Why it matters
Tsedeq holds together what later debates pull apart: God's gift of a right standing and God's demand for right living, personal faith and public justice. Reading Amos next to Genesis 15 keeps the doctrine of justification honest and the call to justice biblical.
Watch out
Over-claims run in both directions. 'Righteousness is only a legal status God declares' ignores Amos and Deuteronomy. 'Righteousness is only social justice' ignores Genesis 15:6 and the courtroom settings. The lexicon range includes vindication and deliverance as God's action as well as human conduct, and any account smaller than the range is a party line, not a word study.
In this lesson
- yada (יָדַע): To know by experience, recognise and acknowledge.
- mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט): Judgment and justice: deciding rightly and setting right.
- qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ): Holy: set apart as belonging to God.
- berit (בְּרִית): A covenant: a pledged, binding relationship.
Sources
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906)
- Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible / STEP Hebrew data
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