6806. tsaad
Lexical Summary
tsaad: steps, march, paces

Original Word: צַעַד
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: tsa`ad
Pronunciation: tsah-ad
Phonetic Spelling: (tsah'-ad)
KJV: pace, step
NASB: steps, march, paces, stride
Word Origin: [from H6804 (צַּנתָּרָה - pipes)]

1. a pace or regular step

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
pace, step

From tsantarah; a pace or regular step -- pace, step.

see HEBREW tsantarah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from tsaad
Definition
a step, pace
NASB Translation
march (1), paces (1), steps (11), stride (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[צַ֫עַד] noun masculine2Samuel 6:13 step, pace; — absolute צָ֑עַד Proverbs 30:29; suffixצַעֲדוֺ Jeremiah 10:3; Proverbs 6:9, etc.; plural construct צַעֲדֵי Job 18:7; suffix צְעָדַי Job 31:4, etc.; —

1 literally step, pace, 2 Samuel 6:13, תַּרְחִיב צַעֲדִי תַּחְתֵּנִי 2 Samuel 22:37 = Psalm 18:37, i.e. givest me firm footing, ׳מֵטִיבֵי צ Proverbs 30:29 = making a good step, stately in march; Lamentations 4:18 ("" לָ֑כֶת).

2 step, steps, in figure of course of life, fortune: singular ׳לֹא יֵצַר צ Proverbs 4:12; "" דֶּרֶךְ Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 16:9; Job 14:16; Job 31:4; Job 34:21, צַעֲדֵי אוֺנוֺ Job 18:7 (compare Proverbs 4:12 above); מִסְמַּרעָֿדַי אַגִּידֶנּוּ Proverbs 31:37; of harlot Proverbs 5:5 figurative, שְׁאוֺל צְעָדֶיהָ יִתְמֹ֑כוּ.

Topical Lexicon
The Motif of Measured Steps

Throughout Scripture צַעַד portrays the individual footfall, emphasizing the ordered, visible progress of one’s life-journey before God. Whether in worship, warfare, wisdom, or woe, every occurrence testifies that human movement is never random but subject to the Lord’s oversight.

Ceremonial Procession and Sacred Joy (2 Samuel 6:13)

David’s relocation of the Ark sets the tone for the word’s liturgical significance. After “six steps” the king pauses to sacrifice, revealing that every advance toward God’s presence is punctuated by reverent gratitude. The measured strides underscore a theology of approach: holiness regulates haste, and celebration grows out of deliberate obedience.

Deliverance and Battlefield Footing (2 Samuel 22:37; Psalm 18:36)

In David’s victory hymn, the Lord “broadened the path beneath me for my steps; my ankles do not give way.” Here צַעַד pictures stability under pressure. War-torn terrain becomes sure ground when God defends His anointed. The image encourages believers that hostile circumstances cannot collapse a path God has widened.

Accountability in Job’s Lament (Job 14:16; 18:7; 31:4, 37; 34:21)

Job repeatedly appeals to the omniscient audit of his “steps.” He trusts that the same God who counts them will vindicate his integrity: “Does He not see my ways and count my every step?” (Job 31:4). Bildad warns that the wicked man’s “vigorous stride is shortened” (Job 18:7), affirming divine justice. Job’s willingness to “give account of all my steps” (31:37) models transparent piety—every footprint is open ledger before the Almighty.

Wisdom’s Path and Moral Formation (Proverbs 4:12; 5:5; 16:9; 30:29)

Wisdom literature harnesses צַעַד to contrast righteous security with sinful peril:
• “When you walk, your steps will not be impeded” (Proverbs 4:12) promises freedom of motion to the teachable.
• “Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to Sheol” (Proverbs 5:5) warns that seductive folly has a determined trajectory.
• “A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps” (Proverbs 16:9) highlights divine sovereignty over daily decisions.
• The stately creatures of Proverbs 30:29 are “stately in their stride,” celebrating excellence reflected even in creation’s gait.

Prophetic Perspective on Human Limitation (Jeremiah 10:23; Lamentations 4:18)

Jeremiah confesses, “I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.” Exilic despair echoes in Lamentations: “Men stalked us at every step.” National catastrophe exposes human inability to secure life’s route without God’s guidance and protection.

Theological Synthesis

1. Providence: Each צַעַד is framed by divine supervision; God widens paths, shortens strides, records movements, and ultimately directs destinies.
2. Responsibility: Because steps are counted, moral vigilance matters. Upright footsteps align with wisdom; corrupt ones hasten ruin.
3. Worship: Ordered steps into God’s presence demand sacrificial reverence, reminding congregations that liturgy is lived, not merely performed.
4. Hope: Even in exile or battle, believers trust the Lord who steadies and surveys every footfall.

Ministry Application

• Pastoral Counseling: Invite congregants to journal their “steps” with Scripture, fostering awareness that choices are tracked by a caring yet holy God.
• Corporate Worship: Integrate times of deliberate pause (as David did) in processional or responsive readings, underscoring that spiritual advance is purposeful.
• Discipleship: Use Proverbs 16:9 to teach decision-making—plan diligently, yet pray for the Lord to determine each step.
• Evangelism: Contrast the enticing but deadly “steps” toward Sheol (Proverbs 5:5) with Christ’s call, “Follow Me,” offering a redirected path.

Christological Horizon

Though צַעַד appears only in the Hebrew canon, its theology anticipates the New Testament call to “walk in the same way He walked” (1 John 2:6) and to “follow in His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). The Messiah fulfills the pattern: every measured stride of His earthly journey was ordered by the Father, culminating in the cross and resurrection that secure the believer’s path of life.

Forms and Transliterations
צְ֭עָדַי צְעָדִ֑ים צְעָדֵ֔ינוּ צְעָדֶ֥יהָ צְעָדַ֣י צְעָדַ֥י צְעָדָ֥יו צַעֲדִ֖י צַעֲדִ֣י צַעֲדֵ֣י צַעֲדֶ֑ךָ צַעֲדֽוֹ׃ צָ֑עַד צעד צעדו׃ צעדי צעדיה צעדיו צעדים צעדינו צעדך ṣā‘aḏ ṣa‘ăḏê ṣa‘ăḏeḵā ṣa‘ăḏî ṣa‘ăḏōw ṣa·‘ă·ḏê ṣa·‘ă·ḏe·ḵā ṣa·‘ă·ḏî ṣa·‘ă·ḏōw ṣā·‘aḏ ṣə‘āḏāw ṣə‘āḏay ṣə‘āḏehā ṣə‘āḏênū ṣə‘āḏîm ṣə·‘ā·ḏāw ṣə·‘ā·ḏay ṣə·‘ā·ḏe·hā ṣə·‘ā·ḏê·nū ṣə·‘ā·ḏîm Tzaad tzaaDecha tzaaDei tzaaDi tzaaDo tzeaDai tzeaDav tzeaDeiha tzeaDeinu tzeaDim
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Samuel 6:13
HEB: יְהוָ֖ה שִׁשָּׁ֣ה צְעָדִ֑ים וַיִּזְבַּ֥ח שׁ֖וֹר
NAS: six paces, he sacrificed
KJV: had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen
INT: of the LORD six paces sacrificed an ox

2 Samuel 22:37
HEB: תַּרְחִ֥יב צַעֲדִ֖י תַּחְתֵּ֑נִי וְלֹ֥א
NAS: You enlarge my steps under
KJV: Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet
INT: enlarge my steps under have not

Job 14:16
HEB: כִּֽי־ עַ֭תָּה צְעָדַ֣י תִּסְפּ֑וֹר לֹֽא־
NAS: You number my steps, You do not observe
KJV: For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch
INT: For now my steps number not

Job 18:7
HEB: יֵֽ֭צְרוּ צַעֲדֵ֣י אוֹנ֑וֹ וְֽתַשְׁלִיכֵ֥הוּ
NAS: His vigorous stride is shortened,
KJV: The steps of his strength
INT: shall be straitened stride his vigorous brings

Job 31:4
HEB: דְרָכָ֑י וְֽכָל־ צְעָדַ֥י יִסְפּֽוֹר׃
NAS: And number all my steps?
KJV: my ways, and count all my steps?
INT: my ways all pace and number

Job 31:37
HEB: מִסְפַּ֣ר צְ֭עָדַי אַגִּידֶ֑נּוּ כְּמוֹ־
NAS: to Him the number of my steps; Like
KJV: unto him the number of my steps; as a prince
INT: the number of my steps declare Like

Job 34:21
HEB: אִ֑ישׁ וְֽכָל־ צְעָדָ֥יו יִרְאֶֽה׃
NAS: And He sees all his steps.
KJV: of man, and he seeth all his goings.
INT: of a man all his steps sees

Psalm 18:36
HEB: תַּרְחִ֣יב צַעֲדִ֣י תַחְתָּ֑י וְלֹ֥א
NAS: You enlarge my steps under
KJV: Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet
INT: enlarge my steps under have not

Proverbs 4:12
HEB: לֹא־ יֵצַ֣ר צַעֲדֶ֑ךָ וְאִם־ תָּ֝ר֗וּץ
NAS: When you walk, your steps will not be impeded;
KJV: When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened;
INT: not shall not be straitened your steps and if run

Proverbs 5:5
HEB: מָ֑וֶת שְׁ֝א֗וֹל צְעָדֶ֥יהָ יִתְמֹֽכוּ׃
NAS: to death, Her steps take hold
KJV: to death; her steps take hold
INT: to death of Sheol her steps take

Proverbs 16:9
HEB: וַֽ֝יהוָ֗ה יָכִ֥ין צַעֲדֽוֹ׃
NAS: But the LORD directs his steps.
KJV: but the LORD directeth his steps.
INT: the LORD directs his steps

Proverbs 30:29
HEB: הֵ֭מָּה מֵיטִ֣יבֵי צָ֑עַד וְ֝אַרְבָּעָ֗ה מֵיטִ֥בֵי
NAS: which are stately in [their] march, Even four
KJV: There be three [things] which go well,
INT: There are stately in march four are stately

Jeremiah 10:23
HEB: וְהָכִ֖ין אֶֽת־ צַעֲדֽוֹ׃
NAS: who walks to direct his steps.
KJV: that walketh to direct his steps.
INT: walks to direct his steps

Lamentations 4:18
HEB: צָד֣וּ צְעָדֵ֔ינוּ מִלֶּ֖כֶת בִּרְחֹבֹתֵ֑ינוּ
NAS: They hunted our steps So
KJV: They hunt our steps, that we cannot go
INT: hunted our steps walk our streets

14 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6806
14 Occurrences


ṣā·‘aḏ — 1 Occ.
ṣa·‘ă·ḏe·ḵā — 1 Occ.
ṣa·‘ă·ḏê — 1 Occ.
ṣa·‘ă·ḏî — 2 Occ.
ṣa·‘ă·ḏōw — 2 Occ.
ṣə·‘ā·ḏay — 3 Occ.
ṣə·‘ā·ḏāw — 1 Occ.
ṣə·‘ā·ḏe·hā — 1 Occ.
ṣə·‘ā·ḏê·nū — 1 Occ.
ṣə·‘ā·ḏîm — 1 Occ.

6805
Top of Page
Top of Page