צֶ֫דֶק (tse.deq)
tse.deq
righteousness
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 87 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun tse-deq denotes a state of being right, just, or straight. It covers ethical integrity and legal fairness, but also extends to physical correctness, such as accurate weights and measures. In the Psalms, it describes God’s guidance along "straight paths" (Psalm 23:3), while in Proverbs and Isaiah, it characterizes the conduct of rulers who judge with equity.
Its root conveys the idea of alignment with a standard. This word often pairs with mishpat (judgment) to describe the full scope of civic justice. It also carries a sense of vindication or deliverance, appearing in contexts where God’s righteousness results in victory for His people or salvation for those who trust in Him.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tse-deq describes a life aligned with God’s standard, much like a straight line drawn against a ruler. It is not merely an abstract moral idea but a practical way of living that shows up in how we treat neighbors and handle business. When the text speaks of just weights or fair judgment, it points to integrity in daily actions. This alignment brings stability to our relationships and peace to our conscience.
For your faith, this means God values honesty as much as piety. You can trust that He guides you along paths where right conduct leads to restoration rather than ruin. The Psalms remind us that He restores the soul by directing our steps toward what is true and fair. This guidance is not a heavy burden but a gentle correction that keeps us on solid ground.
Ultimately, this righteousness reflects God’s own character. When we seek to walk in this straight path, we participate in His justice and experience His faithfulness. It invites us to examine our hearts and actions, finding comfort in the knowledge that God sees our integrity and rewards it with His presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 87 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- righteousness42×
- righteousness/ your10×
- in/ righteousness6×
- righteousness/ my5×
- with/ righteousness3×
- righteousness/ his3×
- and/ righteousness3×
- [are] righteousness3×
- <the>/ righteousness3×
- [is] righteousness/ our2×
- [is] righteousness2×
- <of> righteousness2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- צֶ֑דֶק9×
- צֶ֖דֶק8×
- צֶ֔דֶק8×
- צֶ֣דֶק7×
- צִדְקֶֽ/ךָ\׃7×
- צֶֽדֶק\׃6×
- צֶ֥דֶק4×
- צִדְק֑/וֹ3×
- צֶ֛דֶק2×
- צֶ֗דֶק2×
- צִדְקֶ֑/ךָ2×
- צִדְקֵֽ/נוּ\׃\ \ס2×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 23:3
He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
This verse shows righteousness as a guiding path that restores the soul, linking moral direction to personal spiritual renewal.
-
Leviticus 19:15
“‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness.
Here the word applies directly to judicial fairness, requiring impartiality regardless of social status in legal matters.
-
Deuteronomy 25:15
You shall have a perfect and just weight. You shall have a perfect and just measure, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
The command for just weights and measures uses this term to mandate honesty in commercial transactions as a basis for long life.
-
Job 29:14
I put on righteousness, and it clothed me. My justice was as a robe and a diadem.
Job describes righteousness as clothing, illustrating how ethical integrity defines one’s public identity and personal dignity.
-
Psalms 37:6
he will make your righteousness shine out like light, and your justice as the noon day sun.
This promise assures that God will make hidden righteousness visible, shining it out like light when circumstances seem dark.