Jehovah Tsedaqah: What Does It Mean?

Jehovah Tsedaqah: What Does it Mean?

Tsedaqah, or tsdaqah, (Stong’s Hebrew 6666) means righteousness, to be righteous, justice, to be just. It can mean moral, ethical integrity.

The word is used in various ways in the Word. (Some translations use different words for tsedaqah other than righteousness.) King David ruled Israel in righteousness, I Chronicles 18:14. Jacob tells Laban that his righteousness will be obvious if no speckled animals were found in his flock, Genesis 30:33. Moses reminds the children of Israel that it would be righteousness for them if they observed the commandments of the Lord, Deuteronomy 6:25.

In many places in the Word, it is clear that the meaning for tsedaqah is used to indicate ethical, just, moral acts of humans. Humans that do the right thing.

But this word tsedaqah, can also mean a right relationship with God. The first place the word tsedaqah appears in scripture is speaking about Abraham in Genesis 6.

“Then he believed in the LORD and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6.

Abraham became righteous in the sight of Jehovah (LORD) because he believed in the LORD. Believe means to trust, to stand firm. In other words, Abraham didn’t just believe in his head that there was a LORD-that there was a higher power out there somewhere. Abraham believed in his heart that there was a LORD, a real, loving, personal God, and he trusted Him and stood firm in that trust. And that belief, that trust, is why Abraham was righteous before the LORD.

Now that we know better what the word tsedaqah means. We are working through names of God, so let’s see where this name of God is used. The prophet Jeremiah was given a glimpse into the future kingdom of the Messiah. This is where Jeremiah uses the name: Jehovah Tsedaqah.

“In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely; and this is His name by which He will be called, The LORD our righteousness (Jehovah Tsedaqah).” Jeremiah 23:6.

Don’t miss this distinction. Those who believe (trust, stand firm) in the LORD like Abraham, like me, are righteous because they believe in the LORD. But all of our righteousness comes FROM HIM.

But the LORD IS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Carla Killough McClafferty