צָדַק
To be (causatively, make ) right (in a moral or forensic sense)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does צָדַק (ṣāḏaq) mean in the Bible?
צָדַק (ṣāḏaq) is a Hebrew word meaning "to be (causatively, make ) right (in a moral or forensic sense)". to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense) BDB: be just Usage: cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just(-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be turn to) righteous(-ness). Expresses covenant vindication through the LORD. This term runs through the canonical themes of Covenant, Justice.
Meaning
Judicial vindication and moral rightness merge: to be declared innocent or to establish justice through forensic acquittal.
to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense) BDB: be just Usage: cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just(-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be turn to) righteous(-ness).
Why This Word Matters
Expresses covenant vindication through the Lord. Isaiah 45:20-25
Frames the Servant’s ultimate acquittal by God. Isaiah 50:4-9
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 20×
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 6×
Hithpael reflexive or reciprocal — the subject acts on itself or mutually with others 1×
Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 1×
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Showing 8 of 41 occurrences in the biblical text.
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.