The Difference Between mishpâṭ and tsᵉdâqâh
Within the Hebrew of the Bible, mishpâṭ (מִשְׁפָּט, H4941) and tsᵉdâqâh (צְדָקָה, H6666) are related but distinct concepts. mishpâṭ is most often rendered "adversary", while tsᵉdâqâh emphasizes "justice". Understanding the difference between these words illuminates the precise shade of meaning the original author intended.
Change Words
מִשְׁפָּט vs צְדָקָה
mishpâṭ and tsᵉdâqâh
מִשְׁפָּט
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstract
H4941
Exegetical Meaning
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style | Etymology: from H8199 (שָׁפַט); | KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong.
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צְדָקָה
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
H6666
Exegetical Meaning
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity) | Etymology: from H6663 (צָדַק); | KJV: justice, moderately, right(-eous) (act, -ly, -ness).
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