מִצְעָד (mits.ad)
mits.ad
step
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun mits‘ad refers to a step or place where one sets their foot. In Scripture, it appears only three times, primarily in wisdom literature and prophetic texts like Psalms, Proverbs, and Daniel. It denotes the physical act of stepping or the spot marked by that movement.
Its usage often carries theological weight regarding divine guidance. For instance, Psalm 119:165 speaks of those who love God’s law having great peace, implying their steps are secure and orderly. Similarly, Daniel 4:37 acknowledges that God directs the path of the humble, suggesting His control over every mits‘ad.
The word emphasizes stability and direction rather than speed. It reflects a life lived with intentionality under God’s oversight. Translators typically render it simply as "step," capturing both the physical motion and the spiritual steadiness it implies in these brief but significant contexts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we face uncertainty about our future, it is natural to feel anxious about which direction to take. This Hebrew word reminds us that our steps are not random accidents but are established by God. It offers a quiet assurance that He sees our movements and holds them in His hands.
This truth brings peace rather than passivity. We still make choices and walk forward, yet we do so knowing that our path is under divine care. Like the psalmist, we can trust that God delights in the way of those who seek Him, turning our daily journeys into moments of connection with His will.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] steps of2×
- [will be] in/ footsteps/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִצְעֲדֵי\־1×
- מִֽצְעֲדֵי\־1×
- בְּ/מִצְעָדָֽי/ו\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 37:23
A man’s steps are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way.
This verse directly links the stability of a person's path to God's active establishment, showing that security comes from His delight in us.
-
Proverbs 20:24
A man’s steps are from Yahweh; how then can man understand his way?
Here the word highlights human limitation, reminding readers that while we walk, God alone determines the ultimate course of our lives.
-
Daniel 11:43
But he will have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt. The Libyans and the Ethiopians will follow his steps.
In this prophetic context, the term describes the physical following of a ruler's path, illustrating how even worldly powers move according to broader divine oversight.