Hebrew word · Strong's H6664

צֶדֶק

tsedeq · tseh'-dek · noun · “righteousness, justice”

In a sentence

Tsedeq means righteousness or justice — what is right and straight. It describes God’s own perfect justice and the right living and fair dealing he calls his people to.

Tsedeq (and the related tsedaqah) carries the idea of conforming to a standard — being right, straight, just. In God it is his flawless moral perfection; in society it is justice, especially for the weak and poor.

The Old Testament insists that God “loves righteousness and justice,” and that his people’s worship is hollow without it. Righteousness is both God’s gift and his demand, fulfilled finally in the Messiah who brings everlasting righteousness.

Strong's reference

Definition: the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

KJV usage: [idiom] even, ([idiom] that which is altogether) just(-ice), (un-)right(-eous) (cause, -ly, -ness).

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Psalms 33:5 “The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His loving devotion.” Amos 5:24 “But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.””

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.