a primitive root (compare זָכַךְ); to be translucent; figuratively, to be innocent; be (make) clean, cleanse, be clear, count pure.
Transliteration:zâkâh
Pronunciation:zaw-kaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H2135}}` (זָכָה, *zâkâh*) is a primitive root, bearing a close semantic relationship to `{{H2141}}` (זָכַךְ, *zâkhakh*). Its foundational meaning is "to be translucent" or "to be clear," suggesting a state of being unclouded, unblemished, or free from obscurity. From this literal sense, the word extends figuratively to denote a state of moral or ritual purity. The semantic range includes "to be innocent," "to be clean," "to cleanse" (transitive), "to be clear," and "to count pure." It describes an inherent quality of being unpolluted, free from guilt, or just in character, often in contrast to human sinfulness or defilement.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While `{{H2135}}` appears relatively few times in the Hebrew Bible, its occurrences are highly significant, primarily in wisdom literature and psalms, where it addresses profound theological questions of human nature and divine justice.
* **[[Job 15:14]]**: "What is man, that he should be *pure* (יִזְכֶּה)?" This rhetorical question, posed by Eliphaz, highlights the inherent impurity and sinfulness of humanity in comparison to God's absolute holiness. It underscores the impossibility of any human being achieving a state of blameless purity through their own efforts.
* **[[Job 25:4]]**: "How then can man be *righteous* (יִזְכֶּה) before God? Or how can he who is born of woman be *pure* (יִזְכֶּה)?" Bildad echoes a similar sentiment, using `{{H2135}}` in parallel with `{{H6663}}` (צָדַק, *tsadaq*, "to be righteous"). This parallelism emphasizes that purity before God is inextricably linked to righteousness, and both are unattainable by fallen humanity. The question implicitly points to a divine source for such purity.
* **[[Psalm 51:4]]**: "Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are *justified* (תִּצְדַּק) in Your words and *blameless* (תִּזְכֶּה) in Your judgment." Here, David confesses his sin, acknowledging God's absolute righteousness and purity. `{{H2135}}` describes God's inherent blamelessness and clarity of judgment, even when condemning human sin. It is not that God *becomes* pure, but that His inherent purity is vindicated and revealed in His just dealings.
* **[[Micah 6:11]]**: "Can I *be pure* (אֶזְכֶּה) with wicked scales and with a bag of deceitful weights?" This prophetic indictment uses `{{H2135}}` to connect moral purity with ethical conduct in commercial dealings. The rhetorical question implies that one cannot claim to be pure or innocent while engaging in deceitful and unjust practices. This verse expands the concept of purity beyond ritual or inherent state to include practical, lived righteousness.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H2135}}` (זָכָה) intersects with several other significant Hebrew terms and concepts related to purity, righteousness, and innocence:
* `{{H2141}}` (זָכַךְ, *zâkhakh*): This is the most direct cognate, often used interchangeably or in parallel. It also means "to be clean, pure, clear," and can imply a process of refinement or purging. While `{{H2135}}` often describes a state of being, `{{H2141}}` can emphasize the action of making pure.
* `{{H6663}}` (צָדַק, *tsadaq*): "to be righteous, just." As seen in Job 25:4 and Psalm 51:4, `{{H2135}}` often parallels or complements `{{H6663}}`. Purity is a foundational aspect of righteousness, particularly in a moral or judicial sense.
* `{{H2891}}` (טָהֵר, *taher*): "to be clean, pure" (often ritually). While `{{H2891}}` frequently refers to cultic or ceremonial purity, `{{H2135}}` leans more towards inherent moral or ethical purity. Both terms contribute to the broader biblical understanding of cleanness.
* `{{H5352}}` (נָקָה, *naqah*): "to be clean, innocent, guiltless." This term strongly overlaps with the "innocent" aspect of `{{H2135}}`, particularly in judicial contexts where one is declared free from blame.
* **Innocence/Blamelessness:** The concept of being free from guilt or fault, particularly before God or in the eyes of justice.
* **Righteousness:** The state of being morally upright and acting in accordance with God's standards.
* **Divine Purity:** The absolute, unblemished nature of God, which serves as the ultimate standard for all creation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H2135}}` is profound, particularly in its implications for understanding the nature of God, humanity, and the necessity of divine grace:
* **Divine Purity and Justice:** The word affirms God's absolute and inherent purity (`{{H2135}}` in [[Psalm 51:4]]). He is the very standard of cleanness and blamelessness, and His judgments are perfectly pure and just, even when they expose human sin. This underscores God's moral perfection and His uncompromised holiness.
* **Human Impurity and Inability:** `{{H2135}}` starkly highlights the inherent sinfulness and moral impurity of humanity (`{{H2135}}` in [[Job 15:14]], [[Job 25:4]]). It emphasizes that no human being can achieve a state of true purity or righteousness before God through their own efforts or inherent goodness. This sets the stage for the need for divine intervention and a gracious act of cleansing.
* **Ethical Demand for Purity:** Beyond an internal state, `{{H2135}}` connects purity to ethical conduct and justice in the world (`{{H2135}}` in [[Micah 6:11]]). True purity is not merely ritualistic but must manifest in honest and righteous living, particularly in dealings with others. Impurity is therefore linked to deceit and injustice.
* **The Need for Cleansing/Justification:** By demonstrating humanity's inability to be pure on its own, `{{H2135}}` implicitly points to the necessity of an external source of cleansing. This prepares the theological ground for concepts of atonement, forgiveness, and divine imputation of righteousness, where God, in His purity, provides a way for impure humanity to be made clean.
### Summary
The Hebrew word `{{H2135}}` (זָכָה, *zâkâh*) signifies a state of being translucent, clear, innocent, or pure. Its usage in the Old Testament powerfully articulates the vast chasm between God's absolute, inherent purity and humanity's pervasive sinfulness and inability to achieve moral cleanness on its own. While God is inherently blameless and just in His judgments ([[Psalm 51:4]]), humanity is depicted as inherently impure, incapable of self-purification ([[Job 15:14]], [[Job 25:4]]). Furthermore, `{{H2135}}` extends beyond an internal state to encompass ethical conduct, demanding integrity and justice in daily life ([[Micah 6:11]]). Thus, `{{H2135}}` serves as a crucial term in biblical theology, highlighting the divine standard of purity, the reality of human fallenness, and implicitly, the profound need for God's gracious provision for true cleansing and justification.
TRV