צִדְקָה
𐤑𐤃𐤒𐤄
tsidqâh
H6665 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An abstract feminine noun denoting 'righteousness,' 'justice,' or 'upright conduct,' often referring to behavior and standards that align with ethical, moral, or covenantal obligations. In certain contexts, it can also indicate acts of justice or fairness, moral virtue, or, less frequently, charitable action or beneficence.
Semantic Range
righteousness, justice, uprightness, rectitude, moral integrity, fairness, just action, beneficence (rare); in certain later Jewish contexts, charitable giving
Root / Etymology
From the root צדק (ts-d-q), meaning 'to be right,' 'to be just,' or 'to be righteous.' The root conveys the idea of conformity to an ethical or legal standard, especially in the context of interpersonal relationships or covenant obligations. צִדְקָה as an abstract noun emphasizes the quality or practice of righteousness rather than simply the legal verdict of innocence or justice.
Historical & Contextual Notes
צִדְקָה is the Aramaic form (occurring in Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible, such as Daniel and Ezra), equivalent to the Hebrew noun צְדָקָה (tsedaqah). The term is primarily found in post-exilic texts, reflecting the growing importance of personal virtue and communal justice within Persian-period Yehud. In earlier biblical Hebrew, the emphasis of the root צדק tended to be on legal rectitude, forensic justice, and proper judgment (e.g., צדק as a noun or verb), while צִדְקָה and its Hebrew cognate צְדָקָה increasingly express the qualities or behaviors expected of a faithful Israelite. In some later contexts, especially in post-biblical Hebrew and Aramaic, the term also encompasses charitable giving (later known as 'tzedakah'), but this sense is virtually absent in the biblical corpus. While English translations often render the term as 'righteousness,' this can miss nuances involving justice, vindication, and ethical conduct. In Aramaic passages (esp. Daniel 4:24), Greek translators often used forms of δικαιοσύνη ('justice, righteousness'), again highlighting the ethical dimension. Translational traditions sometimes use 'charity' or 'almsgiving' for later Jewish usage, but this postdates the biblical period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to צְדָקָה; beneficence; righteousness.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
צדק (ts-d-q) — to be just, to be righteous, to be in the right, to act justly
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H139 | אֲדֹנִי־צֶדֶק | righteousness |
| H3087 | יְהוֹצָדָק | and Yahweh-has-made-righteous |
| H3136 | יוֹצָדָק | Yah Is Righteous |
| H6659 | צָדוֹק | to Righteous-one |
| H6662 | צַדִּיק | the just one |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6665-01 |
בְּ/צִדְקָ֣ה | betsideqah | AR/Ncfsa |
by righteousness | in righteousness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6665-01 |
Daniel 4:24 | בְּ/צִדְקָ֣ה | betsideqah | AR/Ncfsa |
by righteousness | in righteousness |