Lexical Summary tsediyyah: Righteousness, Justice Original Word: צְדִיָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lying in wait From tsadah; design (compare tsda') -- lying in wait. see HEBREW tsadah see HEBREW tsda' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tsadah Definition a lying-in-wait NASB Translation lying in wait (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs צְדִיָּה noun feminine lying-in-wait; — ׳(ב)צ Numbers 35:20,22 i.e. with malicious intent (P). Topical Lexicon Biblical Setting צְדִיָּה appears only in Numbers 35:20 and Numbers 35:22, both inside the legislation concerning the cities of refuge. These statutes draw a clear line between deliberate murder and accidental manslaughter. The term marks the presence or absence of hostile intent—what today we might call premeditation. Murder versus Manslaughter Numbers 35:20 speaks of the act committed “intentionally,” while Numbers 35:22 describes the same outward act “without hostility.” The inspired text thereby teaches that human guilt is measured not only by outward deed but also by the heart’s motive (compare Deuteronomy 19:4–6; 1 Samuel 16:7). The distinction is vital: murderers were handed over to the avenger of blood; the unintentional killer found asylum in a city of refuge until the death of the high priest (Numbers 35:25). Theological Implications 1. God sees intent. צְדִיָּה highlights the divine concern for the inward disposition of the sinner (Psalm 44:21; Proverbs 24:12). Foreshadowing of Christ The cities of refuge, framed by the presence or absence of צְדִיָּה, prefigure the believer’s flight to Christ. The manslayer’s hope depended on reaching a place appointed by God; likewise, sinners flee to the Savior, “who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18). The death of the high priest released the fugitive; the death of Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, secures full and final release from every charge (Hebrews 9:11–15). Historical Perspective Ancient Near Eastern law codes often punished homicide without regard to intent. By contrast, Mosaic law—inspired and sui generis—distinguishes motive, elevating Hebrew jurisprudence above surrounding cultures. Archaeological evidence of Levitical cities (such as Hebron and Shechem) situates the practice in real geography, underscoring Scripture’s historical reliability. Practical Ministry Applications • Counseling on anger: צְדִיָּה reminds believers that unchecked hostility can mature into destructive action (Matthew 5:21–22). Related Themes and References Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:12–14; Deuteronomy 4:41–43; Joshua 20:1–9; Psalm 94:22; Proverbs 14:29; Hebrews 4:15–16. Key Berean Standard Bible Quotations Numbers 35:20 – “Likewise, if anyone maliciously pushes another or throws an object at him intentionally and he dies…” Numbers 35:22 – “But if anyone suddenly pushes a person without hostility or unintentionally throws an object at him…” Summary צְדִיָּה serves as a linchpin in the divine teaching on homicide: motive determines culpability. By unveiling the heart behind the hand, the word amplifies the moral depth of God’s law, anticipates the refuge found in Christ, and equips the church to proclaim justice and mercy with clarity and conviction. Forms and Transliterations בִּצְדִיָּ֖ה בצדיה צְדִיָּֽה׃ צדיה׃ biṣ·ḏî·yāh biṣḏîyāh bitzdiYah ṣə·ḏî·yāh ṣəḏîyāh tzediYahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 35:20 HEB: הִשְׁלִ֥יךְ עָלָ֛יו בִּצְדִיָּ֖ה וַיָּמֹֽת׃ NAS: threw something at him lying in wait and [as a result] he died, KJV: or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; INT: threw and lying died Numbers 35:22 2 Occurrences |
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