6667. Tsidqiyyahu or Tsidqiyyah
Lexical Summary
Tsidqiyyahu or Tsidqiyyah: Zedekiah

Original Word: צִדְקִיָּה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Tsidqiyah
Pronunciation: tsid-kee-YAH-hoo or tsid-kee-YAH
Phonetic Spelling: (tsid-kee-yaw')
KJV: Zedekiah, Zidkijah
NASB: Zedekiah, Zedekiah's
Word Origin: [from H6664 (צֶּדֶק - righteousness) and H3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]

1. right of Jah
2. Tsidkijah, the name of six Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Zedekiah, Zidkijah

Or Tsidqiyahuw {tsid-kee-yaw'-hoo}; from tsedeq and Yahh; right of Jah; Tsidkijah, the name of six Israelites -- Zedekiah, Zidkijah.

see HEBREW tsedeq

see HEBREW Yahh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as tsedeq
Definition
"Yah is righteousness," six Isr.
NASB Translation
Zedekiah (63), Zedekiah's (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
צִדְקִיָּ֫הוּ56, יָּ֑ה7

proper name, masculine (׳י is righteousness; compare Sabean צדקאל DHMib., on No. 32); — σεδεκια(ς):

1 last king of Judah, מַתַּנְּיָה, changed to ׳׃צ יָּ֑֫הוּ 2 Kings 24:17,18,20; 2 Kings 25:2,7 (twice in verse) = 2Chronicles 36:10,11; 1 Chronicles 3:15; Jeremiah 1:3; Jeremiah 21:1,3,7 37t. Jeremiah; יָּ֑ה Psalms; Jeremiah 27:12; Jeremiah 28:1; Jeremiah 29:3; Jeremiah 49:34.

2 false prophets:

a. under Ahab, יָּ֑֫הוּ 1 Kings 22:24 2Chronicles 18:10,23; יָּ֑ה 1 Kings 22:11.

b. יָּ֑֫הוּ Jeremiah's time, Jeremiah 29:21,22.

3 יָּ֑֫הוּ prince, Jeremiah's time, Jeremiah 36:12.

4 יָּ֑ה, priest, Nehemiah's time, Nehemiah 10:2 (ᵐ5L Σεχενιας).

5 יָּ֑ה, son of Jehoiachin, according to 1 Chronicles 3:16, but probably gloss, Be SS, compare Kit.



Topical Lexicon
Name Meaning and Theological Implications

“Tsidqiyyah” means “Yahweh is righteousness.” The very sound of the name asserts that moral rectitude rests in God alone. Repeatedly, Scripture uses bearers of the name to contrast the Lord’s unchanging righteousness with human fickleness—whether in the anarchy of the last days of Judah, the deception of false prophecy, or the renewal of post-exilic worship.

Major Individuals Bearing the Name

1. Zedekiah, Last King of Judah (597–586 BC)

• Installation and Oath. Nebuchadnezzar changed Mattaniah’s name to Zedekiah and set him on Judah’s throne (2 Kings 24:17). By oath he was to remain loyal, yet Ezekiel notes that he “despised the oath by breaking the covenant” (Ezekiel 17:19).
• Spiritual Climate. Jeremiah ministered throughout the reign, calling the king to repentance (Jeremiah 21; 34; 37–39). Zedekiah alternated between secret consultation with the prophet (Jeremiah 37:17) and public vacillation that empowered court officials to persecute Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38:5–6).
• Final Collapse. After an 18-month siege, Jerusalem fell. “They slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, then put out Zedekiah’s eyes” (2 Kings 25:7). The king died in Babylonian exile (Jeremiah 52:11).
• Theological Significance. His downfall epitomizes covenant breach. The king who should have embodied his name instead embodies unrighteousness, proving that only the promised “Branch” (Jeremiah 23:5–6) can live up to the title, “The Lord Our Righteousness.”

2. Zedekiah son of Chenaanah, Court Prophet of Ahab

• Scene. At Samaria he fashioned iron horns, declaring, “With these you will gore the Arameans” (1 Kings 22:11).
• Confrontation. Micaiah exposed the lying spirit sent to Ahab’s prophets (1 Kings 22:23). Zedekiah struck Micaiah and mocked the divine verdict (1 Kings 22:24).
• Lesson. Charisma and majority opinion never override revealed truth.

3. Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, False Prophet in Babylon

• Jeremiah’s Letter. “Thus says the Lord… I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar… and roast them in the fire” (Jeremiah 29:21–22).
• Sin. He prophesied lies and committed adultery (Jeremiah 29:23).
• Warning. Even in exile, counterfeit revelation threatened the remnant; God vindicated His word by visible judgment.

4. Priests and Levites Named Zedekiah

• A priest, descendant of Immer, served in Jerusalem after the exile (1 Chronicles 9:12; Nehemiah 11:11).
• Their quiet fidelity contrasts with the more famous unfaithfulness of the royal namesake.

5. Zedekiah the Deputy Governor under Nehemiah

• Second on the seal list (Nehemiah 10:1), he stood with the governor in renewing covenant obedience, illustrating post-exilic hope.

6. Genealogical Occurrences among Benjamites

• Two Benjamite warriors (1 Chronicles 8:15, 8:21) bear the name, linking “righteousness” to tribal identity and military valor.

Key Thematic Passages

2 Kings 24:17 – “The king of Babylon… changed his name to Zedekiah.”
Jeremiah 21:8–9 – “Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.”
Ezekiel 17:18–19 – “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD… I will bring down on his own head My oath that he despised.”
1 Kings 22:23 – “Behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours.”
Jeremiah 29:21 – “I will make them a curse among all the exiles of Judah in Babylon.”
Nehemiah 10:1 – “On the seals were the names of: Nehemiah the governor, Zedekiah…”

Historical Patterns and Doctrinal Reflections

• Covenant Violation versus Covenant Renewal. The last king’s breach contrasts with the later Zedekiah who signs the restoration covenant.
• Prophetic Truth versus False Assurance. Two prophets named Zedekiah illustrate powerful deception when self-interest suppresses God’s word.
• Righteous Name, Unrighteous Deeds. Most bearers disgrace the name, highlighting humanity’s need for the coming King who truly is “Yahweh our righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6).

Messianic Connections

The downfall of King Zedekiah leaves Judah longing for a ruler whose reign embodies God’s righteousness. Jeremiah’s promise of the “Branch” directly answers the failure: “He will reign wisely and do justice… This is the name by which He will be called: The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:5–6). In the New Testament, Jesus Christ fulfills this hope, imparting righteousness to all who believe (Romans 3:21–26; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Practical Applications

• Integrity in Vows. Like Zedekiah’s broken oath, unfaithfulness invites discipline (Ecclesiastes 5:4–6).
• Discernment of Prophecy. Believers must test the spirits (1 John 4:1) and honor Scripture above persuasive personalities.
• Leadership Accountability. Positions of authority magnify both faithfulness and failure; leaders must embody the righteousness they proclaim.
• Hope after Failure. Post-exilic Zedekiahs show God’s readiness to restore and use those who re-covenant with Him.

Summary

Throughout Israel’s history the name Zedekiah surfaces in rulers, prophets, soldiers, priests, and civic leaders—about sixty-three occurrences in all. Their accounts collectively affirm that the Lord alone is righteous, that His word stands against every false assurance, and that ultimate righteousness will be manifest in the Messiah whose reign secures the covenant forever.

Forms and Transliterations
וְצִדְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ וְצִדְקִיָּ֥הוּ וְצִדְקִיָּֽה׃ וצדקיה׃ וצדקיהו כְּצִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ כצדקיהו לְצִדְקִיָּ֔הוּ לְצִדְקִיָּ֖הוּ לְצִדְקִיָּ֥הוּ לְצִדְקִיָּ֨הוּ לצדקיהו צִדְקִיָּ֑הוּ צִדְקִיָּ֔הוּ צִדְקִיָּ֖הוּ צִדְקִיָּ֗הוּ צִדְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ צִדְקִיָּ֛הוּ צִדְקִיָּ֜הוּ צִדְקִיָּ֡הוּ צִדְקִיָּ֣ה צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ צִדְקִיָּ֤ה צִדְקִיָּ֤הוּ צִדְקִיָּ֥ה צִדְקִיָּ֥הוּ צִדְקִיָּ֨הוּ צִדְקִיָּֽהוּ׃ צִדְקִיָּהוּ֮ צדקיה צדקיהו צדקיהו׃ kə·ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū kəṣiḏqîyāhū ketzidkiYahu lə·ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū ləṣiḏqîyāhū letzidkiYahu ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū ṣiḏ·qî·yāh ṣiḏqîyāh ṣiḏqîyāhū tzidkiYah tzidkiYahu vetzidkiYah vetzidkiYahu wə·ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū wə·ṣiḏ·qî·yāh wəṣiḏqîyāh wəṣiḏqîyāhū
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Kings 22:11
HEB: וַיַּ֥עַשׂ ל֛וֹ צִדְקִיָּ֥ה בֶֽן־ כְּנַעֲנָ֖ה
NAS: Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah
KJV: And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah
INT: made Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah

1 Kings 22:24
HEB: וַיִּגַּשׁ֙ צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ בֶֽן־ כְּנַעֲנָ֔ה
NAS: Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah
KJV: But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah
INT: came Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah

2 Kings 24:17
HEB: אֶת־ שְׁמ֖וֹ צִדְקִיָּֽהוּ׃ פ
NAS: and changed his name to Zedekiah.
KJV: his name to Zedekiah.
INT: and changed his name to Zedekiah

2 Kings 24:18
HEB: וְאַחַ֤ת שָׁנָה֙ צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ בְמָלְכ֔וֹ וְאַחַ֤ת
NAS: Zedekiah was twenty-one years
KJV: Zedekiah [was] twenty and one
INT: and one years Zedekiah became a

2 Kings 24:20
HEB: פָּנָ֑יו וַיִּמְרֹ֥ד צִדְקִיָּ֖הוּ בְּמֶ֥לֶךְ בָּבֶֽל׃
NAS: them out from His presence. And Zedekiah rebelled
KJV: from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled
INT: his presence rebelled and Zedekiah the king of Babylon

2 Kings 25:2
HEB: שָׁנָ֔ה לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ צִדְקִיָּֽהוּ׃
NAS: year of King Zedekiah.
KJV: year of king Zedekiah.
INT: year of King Zedekiah

2 Kings 25:7
HEB: וְאֶת־ בְּנֵי֙ צִדְקִיָּ֔הוּ שָׁחֲט֖וּ לְעֵינָ֑יו
NAS: the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes,
KJV: the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes,
INT: the sons of Zedekiah slaughtered his eyes

2 Kings 25:7
HEB: וְאֶת־ עֵינֵ֤י צִדְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ עִוֵּ֔ר וַיַּאַסְרֵ֙הוּ֙
NAS: out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound
KJV: the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound
INT: his eyes the eyes of Zedekiah put and bound

1 Chronicles 3:15
HEB: יְהוֹיָקִ֑ים הַשְּׁלִשִׁי֙ צִדְקִיָּ֔הוּ הָרְבִיעִ֖י שַׁלּֽוּם׃
NAS: the third Zedekiah, the fourth
KJV: the third Zedekiah, the fourth
INT: Jehoiakim the third Zedekiah the fourth Shallum

1 Chronicles 3:16
HEB: יְכָנְיָ֥ה בְנ֖וֹ צִדְקִיָּ֥ה בְנֽוֹ׃
NAS: his son, Zedekiah his son.
KJV: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.
INT: Jeconiah his son Zedekiah his son

2 Chronicles 18:10
HEB: וַיַּ֥עַשׂ ל֛וֹ צִדְקִיָּ֥הוּ בֶֽן־ כְּנַעֲנָ֖ה
NAS: Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah
KJV: And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah
INT: made Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah

2 Chronicles 18:23
HEB: וַיִּגַּשׁ֙ צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ בֶֽן־ כְּנַעֲנָ֔ה
NAS: Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah
KJV: Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah
INT: came Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah

2 Chronicles 36:10
HEB: וַיַּמְלֵךְ֙ אֶת־ צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ אָחִ֔יו עַל־
NAS: his kinsman Zedekiah king
KJV: of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother
INT: of the LORD made Zedekiah his kinsman over

2 Chronicles 36:11
HEB: וְאַחַ֛ת שָׁנָ֖ה צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ בְמָלְכ֑וֹ וְאַחַ֤ת
NAS: Zedekiah was twenty-one years
KJV: Zedekiah [was] one and twenty
INT: one years Zedekiah became a

Nehemiah 10:1
HEB: בֶּן־ חֲכַלְיָ֖ה וְצִדְקִיָּֽה׃
NAS: the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,
KJV: the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,
INT: the son of Hacaliah and Zedekiah

Jeremiah 1:3
HEB: עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה שָׁנָ֔ה לְצִדְקִיָּ֥הוּ בֶן־ יֹאשִׁיָּ֖הוּ
NAS: year of Zedekiah the son
KJV: year of Zedekiah the son
INT: ten year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah

Jeremiah 21:1
HEB: אֵלָ֜יו הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ צִדְקִיָּ֗הוּ אֶת־ פַּשְׁחוּר֙
NAS: when King Zedekiah sent
KJV: when king Zedekiah sent
INT: when King Zedekiah Pashhur the son

Jeremiah 21:3
HEB: תֹאמְרֻ֖ן אֶל־ צִדְקִיָּֽהוּ׃
NAS: to them, You shall say to Zedekiah as follows:
KJV: unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:
INT: shall say to Zedekiah

Jeremiah 21:7
HEB: אֶתֵּ֣ן אֶת־ צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ מֶֽלֶךְ־ יְהוּדָ֣ה
NAS: I will give over Zedekiah king
KJV: I will deliver Zedekiah king
INT: the LORD will give Zedekiah king of Judah

Jeremiah 24:8
HEB: אֶ֠תֵּן אֶת־ צִדְקִיָּ֨הוּ מֶֽלֶךְ־ יְהוּדָ֤ה
NAS: I will abandon Zedekiah king
KJV: So will I give Zedekiah the king
INT: after that will abandon Zedekiah king of Judah

Jeremiah 27:3
HEB: יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם אֶל־ צִדְקִיָּ֖הוּ מֶ֥לֶךְ יְהוּדָֽה׃
NAS: to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king
KJV: to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah king
INT: to Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah

Jeremiah 27:12
HEB: וְאֶל־ צִדְקִיָּ֤ה מֶֽלֶךְ־ יְהוּדָה֙
NAS: these to Zedekiah king
KJV: I spake also to Zedekiah king
INT: to Zedekiah king of Judah

Jeremiah 28:1
HEB: בְּרֵאשִׁית֙ מַמְלֶ֙כֶת֙ צִדְקִיָּ֣ה מֶֽלֶךְ־ יְהוּדָ֔ה
NAS: of the reign of Zedekiah king
KJV: of the reign of Zedekiah king
INT: the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah

Jeremiah 29:3
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֨ר שָׁלַ֜ח צִדְקִיָּ֣ה מֶֽלֶךְ־ יְהוּדָ֗ה
NAS: whom Zedekiah king
KJV: of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king
INT: whom sent Zedekiah king of Judah

Jeremiah 29:21
HEB: קֽוֹלָיָה֙ וְאֶל־ צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ בֶן־ מַֽעֲשֵׂיָ֔ה
NAS: and concerning Zedekiah the son
KJV: of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son
INT: of Kolaiah and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah

63 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6667
63 Occurrences


kə·ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū — 1 Occ.
lə·ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū — 4 Occ.
ṣiḏ·qî·yāh — 6 Occ.
ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū — 49 Occ.
wə·ṣiḏ·qî·yāh — 1 Occ.
wə·ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū — 2 Occ.

6666
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