English · KJV
H6805

צָעַד

tsâʻad /tsaw-ad'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto pace, i.e. step regularly; (upward) to mount; (along) to march; (down and causatively) to hurl
KJV usagebring, go, march (through), run over.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of tsâʻad — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word tsâʻad, represented by H6805, is a primitive root meaning to pace, step regularly, march, or bring. While it appears only 8 times in 8 unique verses, its usage conveys a range of motion from simple steps to powerful, divine processions.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical application, H6805 describes both human and divine movement. It is used for the simple, measured steps of the Levites carrying the Ark of the Lord 2 Samuel 6:13 and for the deliberate path of a person going to a specific house Proverbs 7:8. More dramatically, it illustrates the powerful march of God, causing the earth to tremble and the heavens to drop water (Judges 5:4, Psalms 68:7). This divine march is also an act of judgment, as God is depicted marching through the land to thresh the heathen in anger Habakkuk 3:12. In a striking contrast, the word is used to highlight the powerlessness of idols, which "cannot go" and must be carried Jeremiah 10:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context and impact of the action of H6805:

  • H3318 yâtsâʼ (to go out): This word often appears alongside tsâʻad to describe the beginning of a divine procession, as in "when thou wentest out... when thou marchedst" Judges 5:4. It establishes the departure point for God's powerful movement.
  • H7493 râʻash (to quake, shake, tremble): This term describes the direct consequence of God's marching. When the Lord marches from the field of Edom, the earth itself is said to "tremble" Judges 5:4, demonstrating the immense power of His presence.
  • H1758 dûwsh (to trample or thresh): This word is paired with tsâʻad to define the purpose of God's march as an act of judgment. In his indignation, God's march through the land is an act of threshing the heathen Habakkuk 3:12.
  • H5375 nâsâʼ (to lift, bear, carry): This word highlights a key contrast. While the Ark of the Lord is borne by those who have gone six paces 2 Samuel 6:13, idols "must needs be borne" because they are immobile Jeremiah 10:5, underscoring the difference between holy objects and lifeless idols.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6805 is centered on the concept of divine action and presence.

  • Divine Theophany: The most powerful uses of the word describe God's march, a visible and earth-shaking manifestation of His presence and power. His steps cause nature itself to react, signifying his authority over creation Judges 5:4.
  • Sovereign Judgment: The act of marching is linked to divine judgment and dominion. God marches to "thresh the heathen" Habakkuk 3:12, and in Job, the path of the wicked ultimately leads, or is brought, to the "king of terrors" Job 18:14.
  • Figurative Blessing: In a positive, figurative sense, the word is used to describe the flourishing of Joseph's lineage, whose branches "run over" the wall, indicating abundant growth and prosperity Genesis 49:22.

Summary

In summary, H6805 is a dynamic verb that captures movement with purpose. Though used sparingly, it effectively portrays a spectrum of action, from the literal steps of a human to the figurative growth of a family line. Its most profound application is in describing the majestic and terrible march of God, an act that demonstrates His absolute power, sovereign judgment, and undeniable presence in the world.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 8 occurrences, inflected in 7 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • צַעְדְּ
  • תַצְעִדֵ
  • תִּצְעַד
  • יִצְעָדוּ
  • יִצְעָד
  • צָעֲדוּ
  • צָעֲדָה

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H3318 יָצָא a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct H7493 רָעַשׁ a primitive root; to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through fear; specifica H1758 דּוּשׁ or דּוֹשׁ; or דִּישׁ; a primitive root; to trample or thresh; break, tear, thresh, tread out (down), at grass (Jeremiah H5375 נָשָׂא or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, ab

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 8 verses across 8 of the 39 books. 8 books tie for most frequent (1 verse each); never once in the other 31.

1
Genesis
1
Judges
1
2 Samuel
1
Job
1
Psalms
1
Proverbs
1
Jeremiah
1
Habakkuk

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.