זָכָה (za.khah)
za.khah
to clean
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb zāḵeh primarily means to be clean or pure, but it carries a specific legal weight in Scripture. In the Qal stem, it often describes someone being declared innocent or justified before a judge. This is not merely about moral perfection, but about being found free from guilt or charge. The word appears in contexts where a person’s standing is evaluated, such as in Job 4:17 when Job questions whether any human can be pure before God.
Its root sense involves clarity and freedom from stain or blemish. When used in the Piel stem, it shifts to an active voice: to make something clean or keep it pure. This usage appears in ritual contexts, emphasizing the removal of impurity. The Hithpael form calls for self-purification, urging individuals to cleanse themselves ritually. In Proverbs 20:9, the psalmist asks who can claim a clean heart, highlighting the word’s theological depth regarding inner integrity.
Translators often render zāḵeh as "clear," "pure," or "innocent" depending on context. Its rarity—appearing only seven times in the Hebrew Bible—gives it special emphasis. In Psalms, it underscores the desire for moral and ritual purity before God. The word bridges physical cleanliness and legal innocence, showing how ancient Israelites viewed holiness as both a state of being and a relational standing.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word zāḵeh speaks of being clean, pure, or innocent. It is used in legal settings to declare someone free from guilt. In Job 15:14, the question arises whether any human can truly be clean before God. This highlights our need for divine grace rather than self-righteousness.
In Psalms 119:9, the psalmist asks how a young man can keep his way pure. The answer is simple: by living according to God’s word. This shows that purity comes from following His guidance, not from our own strength. It is a call to trust in His truth.
When we feel weighed down by sin or failure, this word reminds us that God offers cleansing. We do not have to earn it. Instead, we can come to Him with honesty, knowing He desires to restore us. This promise of purity is available to all who seek Him in faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I have kept pure2×
- ¿/ will I be clear1×
- will he keep pure1×
- will he be pure1×
- he will be pure1×
- cleanse yourselves1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- זִכִּ֣יתִי2×
- יִּ֝זְכֶּ֗ה1×
- יִזְכֶּ֑ה1×
- יְזַכֶּה\־1×
- הַ/אֶזְכֶּ֖ה1×
- הִזַּכּ֔וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Job 15:14
What is man, that he should be clean? What is he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
This verse questions human ability to be clean before God, emphasizing our dependence on His grace.
-
Psalms 119:9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
Here, purity is linked to living according to God’s word, showing the path to a clean heart.
-
Proverbs 20:9
Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin”?
The psalmist admits no one can claim a completely clean heart without God’s help, highlighting human limitation.