Grafted Biblical Concept · Concept

Righteousness

צְדָקָה / צֶדֶק · Tzedakah / Tzedekδικαιοσύνη · Dikaiosynē · G1343

Righteousness refers to what is right, just, faithful, or in proper alignment with God's standards and relationships.

92 Scripture references3 lexical sources10 supporting resources

Primary Study

Grafted Bible Dictionary

Definition

Righteousness refers to what is right, just, faithful, or in proper alignment with God's standards and relationships.
Its biblical meaning can include both moral conduct and covenantal/legal standing depending upon context.

Tanakh

God Himself is righteous.
See:
• Deuteronomy 32:4
• Psalm 11:7
• Psalm 145:17
Human righteousness is expressed through justice, faithfulness, and obedience.

Abraham

Genesis 15:6 states that covenant • blessing • blessing for the nations">Abraham's faith was counted to him as righteousness.
This becomes foundational for Yeshua whose mission focuses especially on proclaiming the gospel among Gentiles.">Paul's argument concerning Messiah.">justification.

Torah and Prophets

Righteousness includes social justice.
See:
• Deuteronomy 24
• Isaiah 1:16–17
• Amos 5:24
• Micah 6:8
Biblical righteousness is not merely private spirituality.

Yeshua

Matthew places righteousness prominently in Yeshua's teaching:
• Matthew 5:6
• Matthew 5:10
• Matthew 5:20
• Matthew 6:33

Paul

Yeshua whose mission focuses especially on proclaiming the gospel among Gentiles.">Paul develops righteousness in connection with:
• God's faithfulness
• justification
• faith
• Messiah
• transformed living
See:
• Romans 1–5
Editorial source: Grafted Bible Dictionary · Entry 68

Hebrew and Greek Word Study

Hebrew Word Study

צְדָקָה / צֶדֶק

Tzedakah / Tzedek

Hebrew Bible Usage

View All Hebrew Occurrences

Greek Word Study

δικαιοσύνη

dikaiosýnē · G1343

Hebrew Source

צְדָקָה / צֶדֶק · Tzedakah / Tzedek

Unified Lexical Definition

δικαιοσύνη, -ης, ἡ (δίκαιος), [in LXX chiefly for צֶדֶק, and cognates, Gen.15:6, al., rarely for חֶסֶד, Gen.19:19 ;] the character of ὁ δίκαιος (which see) __1. in broad sense, righteousness, conformity to the Divine will in purpose, thought and action: Mat.5:6, Jhn.16:8, Act.13:10, Rom.4:3; λόγος δικαιοσύνης, teaching of r., Heb.5:13; βασιλεὺς δ. (cf. FlJ, BJ, vi, 10, β. δίκαιος), Heb.7:2; ὅπλα δ., Rom.6:13; ὁδὸς δ., Mat.21:32; θώραξ τῆς δ., Eph.6:14; διὰκονοι δ., 2Co.11:15; ὁσιότης καὶ δ., Luk.1:75, cf. Eph.4:24; ἀγαθωσύνῃ καὶ δ., Eph.5:9; δ. κ. εἰρήνη κ. χαρά, Rom.14:17; δ. κ. ἁγιασμός, 1Co.1:30; opposite to ἁμαρτία, Rom.8:10; ἀνομία, 2Co.6:14; άδικία, Rom.3:5; ποιεῖν τὴν δ., 1Jn.2:29 Jn 3:7; id. as an inclusive term for the active duties of the religious life (ICC, in l; Abbott, Essays, 73 ff), Mat.6:1; ἐργάζεσθαι δ., Act.10:35; διώκειν δ., 1Ti.6:11; πληροῦν πᾶσαν δ., Mat.3:15; ζῆν τῇ δ., 1Pe.2:24; δ. θεοῦ, a righteousness divine in its character and origin, Mat.6:33, Jas.1:20, (where it also includes the idea of God's personal r.; see ICC, on Rom.1:17) Rom.1:17 3:5, 21-26 10:3, 2Co.5:21, Php.3:9; ἡ δ. τ. πίσιεως, Rom.4:11; ἡ ἐκ π. δ., Rom.9:30; ἡ κατὰ π. δ., Heb.11:7; opposite to this is ἡ ἐκ νόμου δ., Rom.10:5; ἡ δ. ἐν ν., Php.3:6; ἡ ἰδία δ., Rom.10:3, cf. Php.3:9 __2. In narrower sense (cf. δίκαιος), justice: Act.17:31, 2Pe.1:1, Rev.19:11 (DCG, ii, 529 ff.; Cremer, 190, 690). (AS) fair and equitable dealing, justice, Ac. 17.31. He. 11.33. Ro. 9.28; rectitude, virtue, Lu. 1.75. Ep. 5.9; in N.T., generosity, alms, 2 Co. 9.10. v.r. Mat. 6.1; piety, godliness, Ro. 6.13, et al.; investiture with the attribute of righteousness, acceptance as righteous, justification, Ro. 4.11; 10.4, et al. freq.; a provision or means for justification, Ro. 1.17. 2 Co. 3.9, et al.; an instance of justification. 2 Co. 5.21.

Lexical Sources

TBESGSTEPBible TBESG (based primarily on Abbott-Smith)

δικαιοσύνη, -ης, ἡ (δίκαιος), [in LXX chiefly for צֶדֶק, and cognates, Gen.15:6, al., rarely for חֶסֶד, Gen.19:19 ;] the character of ὁ δίκαιος (which see) __1. in broad sense, righteousness, conformity to the Divine will in purpose, thought and action: Mat.5:6, Jhn.16:8, Act.13:10, Rom.4:3; λόγος δικαιοσύνης, teaching of r., Heb.5:13; βασιλεὺς δ. (cf. FlJ, BJ, vi, 10, β. δίκαιος), Heb.7:2; ὅπλα δ., Rom.6:13; ὁδὸς δ., Mat.21:32; θώραξ τῆς δ., Eph.6:14; διὰκονοι δ., 2Co.11:15; ὁσιότης καὶ δ., Luk.1:75, cf. Eph.4:24; ἀγαθωσύνῃ καὶ δ., Eph.5:9; δ. κ. εἰρήνη κ. χαρά, Rom.14:17; δ. κ. ἁγιασμός, 1Co.1:30; opposite to ἁμαρτία, Rom.8:10; ἀνομία, 2Co.6:14; άδικία, Rom.3:5; ποιεῖν τὴν δ., 1Jn.2:29 Jn 3:7; id. as an inclusive term for the active duties of the religious life (ICC, in l; Abbott, Essays, 73 ff), Mat.6:1; ἐργάζεσθαι δ., Act.10:35; διώκειν δ., 1Ti.6:11; πληροῦν πᾶσαν δ., Mat.3:15; ζῆν τῇ δ., 1Pe.2:24; δ. θεοῦ, a righteousness divine in its character and origin, Mat.6:33, Jas.1:20, (where it also includes the idea of God's personal r.; see ICC, on Rom.1:17) Rom.1:17 3:5, 21-26 10:3, 2Co.5:21, Php.3:9; ἡ δ. τ. πίσιεως, Rom.4:11; ἡ ἐκ π. δ., Rom.9:30; ἡ κατὰ π. δ., Heb.11:7; opposite to this is ἡ ἐκ νόμου δ., Rom.10:5; ἡ δ. ἐν ν., Php.3:6; ἡ ἰδία δ., Rom.10:3, cf. Php.3:9 __2. In narrower sense (cf. δίκαιος), justice: Act.17:31, 2Pe.1:1, Rev.19:11 (DCG, ii, 529 ff.; Cremer, 190, 690). (AS)

Lemma
δικαιοσύνη
Meaning
righteousness
View original lexicon entry
{
    "type": "abbott-smith",
    "slug": "g1343",
    "title": "δικαιοσύνη",
    "source": "STEPBible TBESG (based primarily on Abbott-Smith)",
    "strong": "G1343",
    "language": "greek",
    "lemma": "δικαιοσύνη",
    "transliteration": "dikaiosunē",
    "pronunciation": "",
    "part_of_speech": "G:N-F",
    "meaning": "",
    "description": "",
    "definition": "δικαιοσύνη, -ης, ἡ (δίκαιος), [in LXX chiefly for צֶדֶק, and cognates, Gen.15:6, al., rarely for חֶסֶד, Gen.19:19 ;] the character of ὁ δίκαιος (which see) __1. in broad sense, righteousness, conformity to the Divine will in purpose, thought and action: Mat.5:6, Jhn.16:8, Act.13:10, Rom.4:3; λόγος δικαιοσύνης, teaching of r., Heb.5:13; βασιλεὺς δ. (cf. FlJ, BJ, vi, 10, β. δίκαιος), Heb.7:2; ὅπλα δ., Rom.6:13; ὁδὸς δ., Mat.21:32; θώραξ τῆς δ., Eph.6:14; διὰκονοι δ., 2Co.11:15; ὁσιότης καὶ δ., Luk.1:75, cf. Eph.4:24; ἀγαθωσύνῃ καὶ δ., Eph.5:9; δ. κ. εἰρήνη κ. χαρά, Rom.14:17; δ. κ. ἁγιασμός, 1Co.1:30; opposite to ἁμαρτία, Rom.8:10; ἀνομία, 2Co.6:14; άδικία, Rom.3:5; ποιεῖν τὴν δ., 1Jn.2:29 Jn 3:7; id. as an inclusive term for the active duties of the religious life (ICC, in l; Abbott, Essays, 73 ff), Mat.6:1; ἐργάζεσθαι δ., Act.10:35; διώκειν δ., 1Ti.6:11; πληροῦν πᾶσαν δ., Mat.3:15; ζῆν τῇ δ., 1Pe.2:24; δ. θεοῦ, a righteousness divine in its character and origin, Mat.6:33, Jas.1:20, (where it also includes the idea of God's personal r.; see ICC, on Rom.1:17) Rom.1:17 3:5, 21-26 10:3, 2Co.5:21, Php.3:9; ἡ δ. τ. πίσιεως, Rom.4:11; ἡ ἐκ π. δ., Rom.9:30; ἡ κατὰ π. δ., Heb.11:7; opposite to this is ἡ ἐκ νόμου δ., Rom.10:5; ἡ δ. ἐν ν., Php.3:6; ἡ ἰδία δ., Rom.10:3, cf. Php.3:9 __2. In narrower sense (cf. δίκαιος), justice: Act.17:31, 2Pe.1:1, Rev.19:11 (DCG, ii, 529 ff.; Cremer, 190, 690). (AS)",
    "glosses": [
        "righteousness"
    ],
    "lexical_summary": [],
    "exhaustive_concordance": [],
    "brown_driver_briggs": [],
    "topical_lexicon": [],
    "occurrences": [],
    "references": [
        {
            "osis": "Gen.15.6",
            "display": "Gen.15:6"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Gen.19.19",
            "display": "Gen.19:19"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Mat.5.6",
            "display": "Mat.5:6"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Jhn.16.8",
            "display": "Jhn.16:8"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Act.13.10",
            "display": "Act.13:10"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.4.3",
            "display": "Rom.4:3"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Heb.5.13",
            "display": "Heb.5:13;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Heb.7.2",
            "display": "Heb.7:2;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.6.13",
            "display": "Rom.6:13;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Mat.21.32",
            "display": "Mat.21:32;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Eph.6.14",
            "display": "Eph.6:14;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "2Co.11.15",
            "display": "2Co.11:15;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Luk.1.75",
            "display": "Luk.1:75"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Eph.4.24",
            "display": "Eph.4:24;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Eph.5.9",
            "display": "Eph.5:9;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.14.17",
            "display": "Rom.14:17;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "1Co.1.30",
            "display": "1Co.1:30;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.8.10",
            "display": "Rom.8:10;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "2Co.6.14",
            "display": "2Co.6:14;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.3.5",
            "display": "Rom.3:5;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "1Jn.2.29",
            "display": "1Jn.2:29"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Jhn.3.7",
            "display": "Jn 3:7"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Mat.6.1",
            "display": "Mat.6:1;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Act.10.35",
            "display": "Act.10:35;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "1Ti.6.11",
            "display": "1Ti.6:11;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Mat.3.15",
            "display": "Mat.3:15;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "1Pe.2.24",
            "display": "1Pe.2:24;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Mat.6.33",
            "display": "Mat.6:33"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Jas.1.20",
            "display": "Jas.1:20"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.1.17",
            "display": "Rom.1:17"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.1.17; 3.5, 21-26; 10.3",
            "display": "Rom.1:17 3:5, 21-26 10:3"
        },
        {
            "osis": "2Co.5.21",
            "display": "2Co.5:21"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Php.3.9",
            "display": "Php.3:9"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.4.11",
            "display": "Rom.4:11;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.9.30",
            "display": "Rom.9:30;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Heb.11.7",
            "display": "Heb.11:7;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.10.5",
            "display": "Rom.10:5;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Php.3.6",
            "display": "Php.3:6;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.10.3",
            "display": "Rom.10:3"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Php.3.9",
            "display": "Php.3:9"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Act.17.31",
            "display": "Act.17:31"
        },
        {
            "osis": "2Pe.1.1",
            "display": "2Pe.1:1"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rev.19.11",
            "display": "Rev.19:11"
        }
    ],
    "occurrence_count": 92,
    "url": "bible/greek/g1343",
    "source_url": "https://github.com/openscriptures/strongs",
    "source_license": "CC BY-SA"
}
A GREEK-ENGLISH LEXICOA Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament

fair and equitable dealing, justice, Ac. 17.31. He. 11.33. Ro. 9.28; rectitude, virtue, Lu. 1.75. Ep. 5.9; in N.T., generosity, alms, 2 Co. 9.10. v.r. Mat. 6.1; piety, godliness, Ro. 6.13, et al.; investiture with the attribute of righteousness, acceptance as righteous, justification, Ro. 4.11; 10.4, et al. freq.; a provision or means for justification, Ro. 1.17. 2 Co. 3.9, et al.; an instance of justification. 2 Co. 5.21.

View original lexicon entry
{
    "type": "greenfield",
    "slug": "greenfield-9ceb447ecf09",
    "title": "Δικαιοσύνη",
    "source": "A Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament",
    "strong": "G1343",
    "language": "greek",
    "lemma": "Δικαιοσύνη",
    "transliteration": "dikaiosýnē",
    "pronunciation": "",
    "part_of_speech": "",
    "meaning": "",
    "description": "",
    "definition": "fair and equitable dealing, justice, Ac. 17.31. He. 11.33. Ro. 9.28; rectitude, virtue, Lu. 1.75. Ep. 5.9; in N.T., generosity, alms, 2 Co. 9.10. v.r. Mat. 6.1; piety, godliness, Ro. 6.13, et al.; investiture with the attribute of righteousness, acceptance as righteous, justification, Ro. 4.11; 10.4, et al. freq.; a provision or means for justification, Ro. 1.17. 2 Co. 3.9, et al.; an instance of justification. 2 Co. 5.21.",
    "glosses": [
        "righteousness"
    ],
    "lexical_summary": [],
    "exhaustive_concordance": [],
    "brown_driver_briggs": [],
    "topical_lexicon": [],
    "occurrences": [],
    "references": [],
    "occurrence_count": 92,
    "url": "bible/greenfield/greenfield-9ceb447ecf09",
    "source_url": "https://github.com/openscriptures/strongs",
    "source_license": "CC BY-SA"
}
STRONG'SStrong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon

equity (of character or act) specially (Christian) justification

View original lexicon entry
{
    "type": "strongs-lexicon",
    "slug": "",
    "title": "δικαιοσύνη",
    "source": "[object Object]",
    "strong": "G1343",
    "language": "greek",
    "lemma": "δικαιοσύνη",
    "transliteration": "dikaiosýnē",
    "pronunciation": "",
    "part_of_speech": "",
    "meaning": "",
    "description": "",
    "definition": "equity (of character or act)\n\nspecially (Christian) justification",
    "glosses": [
        "righteousness"
    ],
    "lexical_summary": [],
    "exhaustive_concordance": [],
    "brown_driver_briggs": [],
    "topical_lexicon": [],
    "occurrences": [],
    "references": [],
    "occurrence_count": 92,
    "url": "",
    "source_url": "https://github.com/openscriptures/strongs",
    "source_license": "CC BY-SA"
}

New Testament Usage

92 occurrences

First listed reference: Gen.15.6

View All Greek Occurrences

Sources: STEPBible TBESG (based primarily on Abbott-Smith) · A Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament · Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon

Biblical Usage

Concordance and Scripture Usage

86Exact Lemma6Translation Match347Conceptual Relationship
Writings / Wisdom · 6
Gospels · 10
Acts · 4
Epistles · 70
Romans 1:17Exact LemmaRomans 3:5Exact LemmaRomans 3:21Exact LemmaRomans 3:22Exact LemmaRomans 3:25Exact LemmaRomans 3:26Exact LemmaRomans 4:3Exact LemmaRomans 4:5Exact LemmaRomans 4:6Exact LemmaRomans 4:9Exact LemmaRomans 4:11Exact LemmaRomans 4:13Exact LemmaRomans 4:22Exact LemmaRomans 5:17Exact LemmaRomans 5:21Exact LemmaRomans 6:13Exact LemmaRomans 6:16Exact LemmaRomans 6:18Exact LemmaRomans 6:19Exact LemmaRomans 6:20Exact LemmaRomans 8:10Exact LemmaRomans 9:30Exact LemmaRomans 9:31Exact LemmaRomans 10:3Exact LemmaRomans 10:4Exact LemmaRomans 10:5Exact LemmaRomans 10:6Exact LemmaRomans 10:10Exact LemmaRomans 14:17Exact Lemma1 Corinthians 1:30Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 3:9Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 5:21Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 6:7Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 6:14Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 9:9Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 9:10Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 11:15Exact LemmaGalatians 2:21Exact LemmaGalatians 3:6Exact LemmaGalatians 3:21Exact LemmaGalatians 5:5Exact LemmaEphesians 4:24Exact LemmaEphesians 5:9Exact LemmaEphesians 6:14Exact LemmaPhilippians 1:11Exact LemmaPhilippians 3:6Exact LemmaPhilippians 3:9Exact Lemma1 Timothy 6:11Exact Lemma2 Timothy 2:22Exact Lemma2 Timothy 3:16Exact Lemma2 Timothy 4:8Exact LemmaTitus 3:5Exact LemmaHebrews 1:9Exact LemmaHebrews 5:13Exact LemmaHebrews 7:2Exact LemmaHebrews 11:7Exact LemmaHebrews 11:33Exact LemmaHebrews 12:11Exact LemmaJames 1:20Exact LemmaJames 2:23Exact LemmaJames 3:18Exact Lemma1 Peter 2:24Exact Lemma1 Peter 3:14Exact Lemma2 Peter 1:1Exact Lemma2 Peter 2:5Exact Lemma2 Peter 2:21Exact Lemma2 Peter 3:13Exact Lemma1 John 2:29Exact Lemma1 John 3:7Exact Lemma1 John 3:10Exact Lemma
Revelation · 2

Reference Works

Bible Dictionary, Encyclopedia, and Names

Unified Dictionary Summary

Righteousness refers to what is right, just, faithful, or in proper alignment with God's standards and relationships.

A Biblical and Theological Dictionary
justice, holiness. The righteousness of God is the essential perfection of his nature; sometimes it is put for his justice. The righteousness of Christ denotes, not only his absolute perfection, but, is taken for his perfect obedience unto death, and his suffering the penalty of the law in our stead. The righteousness of the law is that obedience which the law requires. The righteousness of faith is the justification which is received by faith.

Sources: A Biblical and Theological Dictionary

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