Lexical Summary tsaad: steps, march, paces Original Word: צַעַד Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pace, step From tsantarah; a pace or regular step -- pace, step. see HEBREW tsantarah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom 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 StepsThroughout 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: 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. Ministry Application • Pastoral Counseling: Invite congregants to journal their “steps” with Scripture, fostering awareness that choices are tracked by a caring yet holy God. 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 tzeaDimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 Job 14:16 Job 18:7 Job 31:4 Job 31:37 Job 34:21 Psalm 18:36 Proverbs 4:12 Proverbs 5:5 Proverbs 16:9 Proverbs 30:29 Jeremiah 10:23 Lamentations 4:18 14 Occurrences |
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