Lexical Summary tsadah: To lie in wait, to ambush Original Word: צָדָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance destroy, hunt, lie in wait A primitive root; to chase; by implication, to desolate -- destroy, hunt, lie in wait. Brown-Driver-Briggs I. צָדָה verb lie in wait (Late Hebrew id., rare; compare (si vera lectio) Biblical Aramaic צְדָא Daniel 3:14) — Qal Perfect3masculine singular ׳צ Exodus 21:13 (E; absolute); Participle with accusative וְאַתָּה צֹדֶה אֶתנַֿפְשִׁי לְקִחְתָּהּ 1 Samuel 24:11 (Gi; v.1 Samuel 24:12 van d. H. Baer). II. [צָדָה] verb lay waste (Late Hebrew id. (rare), Aramaic צְדִי, Niph`al Perfect3plural נִצְדּוּ עָרֵיהֶם Zephaniah 3:6 their cities are laid waste. צֵדָה see צֵידָה, below II. צוד. צֵדְנִיֹּת see צִידֹנִי. צדק (√of following; Late Hebrew, Aramaic in derivatives; compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Overview The verb צָדָה (Strong 6658) conveys the idea of pursuing, stalking, or lying in wait. Although the lexical range embraces both legitimate hunting and hostile pursuit, the inspired writers employ the term only three times, each time highlighting moral and theological contrasts between just and unjust pursuit. The word therefore serves as a subtle thematic thread, inviting reflection on providence, righteousness, and judgment. Canonical Occurrences 1. Exodus 21:13 sets צָדָה within Israel’s civil jurisprudence. A death that occurs “not planned” but because “God caused it to happen, and he fell into his hand” distinguishes accidental killing from murder. The verb describes an unintentional yet divinely permitted pursuit culminating in death and provides the legal foundation for cities of refuge. Contextual Insights • Exodus 21:13 balances human responsibility with divine sovereignty. Although the killer did not actively “hunt” his neighbor, the verb acknowledges that a life was nevertheless taken. Scripture thus safeguards community order while affirming God’s providential rule even over unintended tragedy. Theological Implications Providence: The Exodus statute underscores that nothing occurs outside God’s governance. Even an accidental death is not random but “God caused it to happen.” Justice and Mercy: The same verb that describes Saul’s predatory intent also frames the gracious policy of the cities of refuge. God both condemns malicious pursuit and provides asylum for those who never intended harm. Divine Judgment: Zephaniah reminds readers that the Lord Himself can become the pursuer of the impenitent. What humanity perverts for evil, God wields for righteous judgment. Ministerial Applications Pastoral Care: Believers wrestling with guilt over unintended consequences may find hope in the Exodus provision. While accountability is real, God also ordains places of mercy. Ethics of Power: Leaders are warned by Saul’s example. Authority must never degenerate into personal vendetta; to “hunt” another image-bearer unlawfully is to rebel against God. Evangelism and Warning: Zephaniah supplies sobering material for preaching on coming judgment. If God dismantles the “corner towers” of the nations, confidence in human fortifications—military, economic, or ideological—is futile apart from repentance. Connections with New Testament Teaching The motif of hunting or pursuit reappears conceptually in 1 Peter 5:8, where Satan “prowls around like a roaring lion.” Conversely, Luke 19:10 declares that “the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost,” transforming pursuit from destructive to redemptive. Thus the scriptural canon traces a movement from human and demonic predation to divine rescue, culminating in Jesus Christ, who was Himself “hunted” unto death that we might find refuge in Him. Relevant Cross-References Numbers 35:11–12; Deuteronomy 19:3–6 (cities of refuge) Psalm 7:1–2; Psalm 57:1–3 (David’s laments under pursuit) Revelation 6:15–17 (inescapable divine judgment) In its brief but strategic appearances, צָדָה functions as a moral lens: it exposes illicit human pursuit, frames God’s provision for the unintended offender, and prefigures the ultimate, righteous pursuit of God Himself—either in gracious rescue or in final judgment. Forms and Transliterations נִצְדּ֧וּ נצדו צָדָ֔ה צֹדֶ֥ה צדה niṣ·dū niṣdū nitzDu ṣā·ḏāh ṣāḏāh ṣō·ḏeh ṣōḏeh tzaDah tzoDehLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 21:13 HEB: וַאֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א צָדָ֔ה וְהָאֱלֹהִ֖ים אִנָּ֣ה NAS: But if he did not lie in wait [for him], but God KJV: And if a man lie not in wait, but God INT: if did not lie God let 1 Samuel 24:11 Zephaniah 3:6 3 Occurrences |
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id.); — 
speak the truth (also 
hard, even, straight, perfect); Sabean צדק just, epithet of king MordtmZMG xxx (1876), 37 HomChrest. 125; usually excellent DHMZMG xxix (1875), 595, 590 CISiv. p. 176; also verb favour, endow (one with something) CISiv. No. 198 l. 4 DHMl.c. MordtmHim. Inschr. 70 f.; Phoenician צדק adjective just, right, Tel Amarna (Canaanite) ƒaduk\, innocent Old Aramaic צדק noun righteousness, loylty, Nabataean אצדק adjective authorized, Palmyrene זדקתא εὐσεβής; Saho sada‡, be true, clear ReinischSaho Spr, (1890) 312; Ethiopic 
be just, righteous, so Late Hebrew צדק Pi`el Hiph`il, Aramaic צְדֵיק, 
; compare Kauder. d. St. צדק (1881) HPSצדק etc. Presb. Rev., 1882, 165 ff. Gerber206ff.).