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:[fromH6804 (צַּנתָּרָה - pipes)]
1. a pace or regular step
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
pace, step
Fromtsantarah; a pace or regular step -- pace, step.
see HEBREWtsantarah
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
tsaadDefinitiona step, pace
NASB Translationmarch (1), paces (1), steps (11), stride (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[]
2Samuel 6:13 ; — absolute
Proverbs 30:29; suffix
Jeremiah 10:3;
Proverbs 6:9, etc.; plural construct
Job 18:7; suffix
Job 31:4, etc.; —
literallystep, pace,2 Samuel 6:13,2 Samuel 22:37 =Psalm 18:37, i.e. givest me firm footing,Proverbs 30:29 =making a good step, stately in march;Lamentations 4:18 ("" ).
step, steps, in figure of course of life, fortune: singularProverbs 4:12; ""Jeremiah 10:23;Proverbs 16:9;Job 14:16;Job 31:4;Job 34:21,Job 18:7 (compareProverbs 4:12 above);Proverbs 31:37; of harlotProverbs 5:5 figurative, .
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:
• “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 ofProverbs 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: UseProverbs 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
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