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מִצְעָד

𐤌𐤑𐤏𐤃

mitsʻâd

H4703 noun

SILEX Entry

Root צעד to step, to march, to stride

Definition

A physical step in walking, pace; by extension, a stride or footfall. In certain contexts, it can also refer to the act or manner of moving, journeying, or progress, especially of a person or animal. At times, used metaphorically to describe course of life or progress in a broader sense.

Semantic Range

step, pace, stride, movement, footfall, progress, manner of movement, course of life (figurative)

Root / Etymology

From the root צעד, which means 'to step, march, stride.' מִצְעָד is a noun formation with the standard nominal prefix מִ־ and functions as a concrete noun for an individual step or, in broader usage, a course or manner of walking.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מִצְעָד appears most frequently in poetic or wisdom literature (e.g., Psalms, Proverbs), often in contexts emphasizing the order, direction, or security of one's walking (literally or metaphorically). In these texts, the word's metaphorical use is sometimes associated with guidance, stability in life, or the providential direction of human affairs, echoing wisdom tradition themes about righteous living. The term does not convey companionship as a core lexical meaning—this sense arises more from context or translation tradition than from the word itself. In contrast to similar words like דֶּרֶךְ (path, way) or אֲשׁוּר (footstep, track), מִצְעָד emphasizes the act of individual stepping rather than the route or destination. Later translations sometimes use terms like 'way' or even 'companionship,' but these reflect interpretive choices rather than the direct meaning of the Hebrew. The term retains a concrete, physical sense through all biblical periods, though metaphorical applications increase in wisdom and poetic contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from צָעַד; a step; figuratively, companionship; going, step.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

צעד (ts-ʿ-d) — to step, to stride, to march

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6805 צָעַד in your stepping
H6806 צַעַד step
H6807 צְעָדָה the ankle-chain
H685 אֶצְעָדָה step-chain

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4703-02 מִֽצְעֲדֵי mitseadey HNcmpc steps of steps of 2
H4703-01 בְּ/מִצְעָדָֽי/ו bemitseadayv HR/Ncmpc/Sp3ms at his steps in his steps 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4703-02 Psalms 37:23 מִֽצְעֲדֵי mitseadey HNcmpc steps of steps of
H4703-02 Proverbs 20:24 מִצְעֲדֵי mitseadey HNcmpc steps of steps of
H4703-01 Daniel 11:43 בְּ/מִצְעָדָֽי/ו bemitseadayv HR/Ncmpc/Sp3ms at his steps in his steps
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