Lexical Summary mitsad: Step, footstep Original Word: מִצְעָד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance going, step From tsa'ad; a step; figuratively, companionship -- going, step. see HEBREW tsa'ad NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tsaad Definition a step NASB Translation heels (1), steps (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [מִצְעָד] noun [masculine] step; — plural suffix בְּמִצְעָדָיו Daniel 11:43 i.e. at his heels, in his train; construct, figurative of course of life, מִצְעֲדֵינֶֿבֶר Psalm 37:23 ("" דַּרְכּוֺ), Proverbs 20:24. II. צעד (√ of following; meaning unknown). Topical Lexicon Overview of Usage מִצְעָד designates an individual “step” or a succession of steps that make up a course of movement. The word appears only three times, yet it spans poetry, wisdom, and apocalyptic prophecy, giving it a striking range: Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 20:24; Daniel 11:43. Canonical Distribution • Psalm 37:23 highlights the righteous person’s way of life as “ordered” by the LORD. Themes of Divine Guidance and Sovereignty 1. Personal Providence: In Psalm 37:23 the Lord is pictured as actively shaping the believer’s daily movements—“The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way”. The verse combines sovereignty (“ordered”) with relational delight, portraying guidance that is both authoritative and affectionate. Ethical and Wisdom Implications • Dependence, not autonomy: Knowledge that one’s steps are the Lord’s gift discourages pride (Proverbs 16:9). Eschatological and Prophetic Dimension Daniel 11 places מִצְעָד within a larger “time of the end” scenario. The northern king’s conquests, though seemingly unstoppable, are fenced in by God’s timeline (Daniel 11:45 – “he will come to his end, and no one will help him”). Thus the term contributes to a theology of history that culminates in the Messiah’s kingdom (Daniel 7:13-14), assuring readers that every earthly stride is subordinate to the ultimate reign of Christ. Practical Ministry Applications • Pastoral Counseling: When believers wrestle with confusion about life direction, Psalm 37:23-24 offers comfort that falls and failures do not nullify God’s ordering hand—“Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand”. Christological Reflection Jesus Christ, the perfect Man, walked in flawless alignment with the Father’s ordered steps (John 5:19; John 8:29). His earthly path—from Bethlehem to Calvary—fulfilled prophetic “ordering” announced centuries earlier (Luke 24:26-27). Believers, united with Christ, inherit the same assurance that their journey is purposefully choreographed (Ephesians 2:10). Related Biblical Motifs • “Path” (דֶּרֶךְ) emphasizes the way itself; מִצְעָד highlights the individual movements within that way. Summary מִצְעָד distills a theology of movement: every human stride—from the quiet progress of the righteous to the thunderous march of emperors—unfolds under the sovereign, benevolent hand of God. The term calls believers to trustful obedience, humble planning, and confident expectation that the Lord who directs each step will also bring His redemptive purposes to completion (Romans 8:28; Philippians 1:6). Forms and Transliterations בְּמִצְעָדָֽיו׃ במצעדיו׃ מִֽצְעֲדֵי־ מִצְעֲדֵי־ מצעדי־ bə·miṣ·‘ā·ḏāw bəmiṣ‘āḏāw bemitzaDav miṣ‘ăḏê- miṣ·‘ă·ḏê- mitzadeiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Psalm 37:23 HEB: מֵ֭יְהוָה מִֽצְעֲדֵי־ גֶ֥בֶר כּוֹנָ֗נוּ NAS: The steps of a man are established KJV: The steps of a [good] man are ordered INT: the LORD the steps of a man are established Proverbs 20:24 Daniel 11:43 3 Occurrences |
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