The Aramaic word tsidqâh, represented by H6665, translates to righteousness or beneficence. As an Aramaic term corresponding to the Hebrew צְדָקָה, its usage is highly specific. It appears only 1 time in the entire Bible, making its singular context particularly significant.
The sole appearance of H6665 is in Daniel's counsel to the king in Daniel 4:27. In this verse, Daniel advises the king to "break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor." Here, righteousness is presented as a direct and active remedy for sin, offered as a means to potentially achieve "a lengthening of thy tranquillity." It is not a passive state but a decisive action to replace sinful behavior.
Several related words from its immediate context illuminate the meaning of H6665:
- H2408 chăṭîy (sin): Defined as an offence, this word represents the specific problem that righteousness H6665 is meant to correct. In Daniel 4:27, one is instructed to "break off" these sins.
- H5758 ʻivyâʼ (iniquity): Meaning perverseness, this term is used in parallel with sin in Daniel 4:27. It describes the moral corruption that stands in direct opposition to righteousness and mercy.
- H2604 chănan (shew mercy, make supplication): This word is paired with righteousness in Daniel 4:27 as part of the solution, specifically through "shewing mercy." It also appears when Daniel is found "making supplication" to God Daniel 6:11, linking it to acts of piety and compassion.
The theological weight of H6665, though based on a single verse, is clear and practical.
- Active Repentance: It portrays righteousness not as a legal status but as the active fruit of repentance. It is the demonstrable action taken to break from sin H2408 and iniquity H5758.
- Social Justice: The term's meaning of "beneficence" is underscored by its parallel use with "shewing mercy to the poor" Daniel 4:27. This links true righteousness directly to tangible acts of compassion and social responsibility.
- Path to Restoration: The word is used within a conditional promise. The practice of righteousness is presented as the path by which the king might find a "lengthening of thy tranquillity," connecting righteous living with divine favor and peace.
In summary, H6665 tsidqâh provides a concise yet powerful definition of righteousness in action. Its singular use in Daniel 4:27 frames it as the definitive antidote to sin, demonstrated through practical beneficence and mercy. It is a cornerstone of the counsel for restoration, illustrating that righteousness is an active choice with tangible consequences for one's relationship with God and community.
TRV