צְדִיָּה (tse.diy.yah)
tse.diy.yah
ambush
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tsediyya describes the act of lying in wait or setting an ambush. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both instances found within the book of Numbers. In these passages, the word captures a tactical military maneuver where forces conceal themselves to surprise an enemy.
This term focuses on the strategic element of secrecy and sudden attack rather than open battle. The sources define it simply as "lying-in-wait," highlighting the intent to trap opponents who are unaware of the danger. Its rarity in Scripture suggests it was a specific technical term for warfare tactics rather than a common metaphor for spiritual struggle.
Because the word is so limited in scope, its meaning remains concrete and physical. It does not carry abstract theological connotations like justice or righteousness, which are often associated with similar sounding Hebrew roots. Instead, it serves as a precise descriptor for military strategy in the narrative of Israel’s journey.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tsediyya describes a hidden trap set for an unsuspecting victim. In Numbers 35, this term distinguishes between a sudden, accidental shove and a calculated attack planned in secrecy. This distinction matters because it highlights the seriousness of premeditated intent. God’s law carefully separates impulsive actions from cold-blooded strategy.
For your faith life, this clarity offers comfort. It shows that God sees the heart’s true motives, not just outward actions. You do not need to fear hidden agendas or secret traps against you, for the Lord judges with perfect accuracy. His justice is precise, protecting the innocent from those who plan harm in the shadows.
Knowing that God discerns every hidden intent allows you to rest securely. You can trust His fairness even when human systems seem unclear. This assurance invites you to walk in honesty, confident that no secret action escapes His sight.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with/ lying in wait1×
- lying in wait1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צְדִיָּֽה\׃1×
- בִּ/צְדִיָּ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 35:20
If he shoved him out of hatred, or hurled something at him while lying in wait, so that he died,
This verse uses the word to define a premeditated murder where hatred and lying in wait combine to remove legal protections.
-
Numbers 35:22
“‘But if he shoved him suddenly without hostility, or hurled on him anything without lying in wait,
Here the absence of this term helps distinguish an accidental death from intentional harm, showing how context determines guilt.