8: Righteousness — Tzedakah (OT), Dikaiosyne (NT), and Intertestamental Usage

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1. Hebrew Term: Tzedakah — צְדָקָה

Pronunciation: tzeh-dah-KAH
Meaning: Righteousness, justice, charity; right conduct and acts of kindness toward others.

Old Testament Usage:

  • Refers to ethical righteousness, social justice, and charitable deeds.
  • Highlights the practical expression of righteousness in community life.
    Example Verses:
  • Proverbs 21:3 — “To do righteousness (tzedakah) and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”
  • Isaiah 1:17 — “Learn to do good; seek justice (tzedakah), correct oppression…”

Intertestamental Usage:

  • Expands on righteousness to include faithfulness to the law and ethical behavior.
  • Emphasizes the need for righteousness in the coming eschatological age.

New Testament Usage:

  • Dikaiosyne denotes righteousness as moral virtue and right standing before God.
  • Focuses on both ethical conduct and justification by faith.
    Example Verses:
  • Romans 3:22 — “The righteousness (dikaiosyne) of God through faith in Jesus Christ.”
  • Matthew 5:6 — “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (dikaiosyne).”

Comparative Summary:

  • Tzedakah stresses practical justice and charity in social and covenantal contexts.
  • Dikaiosyne includes both ethical righteousness and the legal declaration of justification.
  • Intertestamental writings connect moral behavior with eschatological hope.
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