צַדִּיקtsad.diq“righteous”Hebrew
Adjective: righteous (one)
Primary· linguistic evidencehigh
Psalms and Proverbs account for over half the uses; often contrasted with rāšāʿ, “wicked” (; ).
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Concept 5 of 5 · study domain
People called righteous, and why
Study: The Righteous Throughout Scripture
Scripture calls people “righteous” not because they were sinless — most of their failures are recorded — but because they trusted God, walked with him and were vindicated by him; Hebrews gathers them as “a great cloud of witnesses” and “the spirits of the righteous made perfect” (; ).
(197 verses) and describe a person in right relationship with God and neighbour; the plural “the righteous” is a standing category in Psalms and Proverbs (; ).
Only some figures are called righteous in the text itself: Noah (), Abel (), Lot (), Zechariah and Elizabeth (), Simeon (), Joseph (), Cornelius (). Others are commended for faith or blamelessness.
Ezekiel names Noah, Daniel and Job as proverbial righteous intercessors (; ).
Each entry in the database separates three levels: called righteous in the text (explicit), described with equivalent language (implied), or honoured as righteous by later tradition (tradition).
צַדִּיק tsad.diq “righteous”
Adjective: righteous (one)
δίκαιος dikaios “just”
Adjective: righteous / just
The Righteous live by Faith
; .
The Righteous are defined by Righteousness
; .
The Righteous are bold Parrhesia
.
The Righteous saw the reality from afar Hypostasis
“They saw and welcomed them from afar” ().
The 21 people listed follow the module brief; they are not the only people the Bible calls righteous (e.g. Lot, ; Phinehas, ).
Titles like “holy righteous” or “tzaddik” in later liturgy and legend are reported as tradition, not as biblical statements.
Using these lives as models is devotional; the texts themselves usually point beyond the person to God’s faithfulness.
The biblical text, original languages, manuscripts and lexical data
Scholarship, historical research and archaeology
Tradition, denominational and popular interpretation, devotional application
Each dot is a curated text placed in canonical order; arcs join consecutive texts that share a theme. Curated selection, not an exhaustive concordance — see Word study for full occurrence data.
“The LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish” ().
Texts:
Noah, the first person called ṣaddîq.
The assembly and path of the righteous.
“I have not seen the righteous abandoned.”
“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn.”
“The righteous are as bold as a lion.”
Joseph, “a righteous man”.
Zechariah and Elizabeth “were righteous in the sight of God”.
Simeon, “righteous and devout”.
Cornelius, “a righteous and God-fearing man”.
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all” ().
Texts:
Job “blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil” (not ṣaddîq here, but equivalent terms).
Many afflictions, one Deliverer.
“A righteous man perishing in his righteousness” — wisdom’s honest tension.
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved …” (quoting LXX).
“My righteous one will live by faith” ().
Texts:
The righteous live by faith.
“There is no one righteous, not even one” — the counterpoint to every list.
Abel commended as righteous by faith.
“The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail” — illustrated by Elijah ().
Texts:
Abraham: “Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?”
Noah, Daniel and Job.
The prayer of a righteous person.
“From the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah” ().
Texts:
“The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart.”
Righteous Abel to Zechariah.
“The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (); cf. .
Texts:
“The spirits of the righteous made perfect.”
Adjective: righteous (one)
Psalms and Proverbs account for over half the uses; often contrasted with rāšāʿ, “wicked” (; ).
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Adjective: righteous / just
Used of people in the infancy narratives (; ; ) and of Christ “the Righteous One” ().
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Everything directly linked to The Righteous: other concepts, themes, people and books. Open the full network →
Canonical stages follow the order of the biblical books; reception stages (LXX, Fathers, councils, Latin, medieval, Reformation) are history of interpretation and are labelled as such.
Genesis & Law · canonical text
The first righteous man, and the man whose faith was credited as righteousness and who interceded for the righteous in Sodom.
Historical books · canonical text
Saul tells David, “You are more righteous than I” ().
Psalms & Wisdom · canonical text
Psalms and Proverbs describe the expected blessing of the righteous; Job and Ecclesiastes test that expectation against suffering.
Prophets · canonical text
Ezekiel defines the righteous man by concrete conduct () and names Noah, Daniel and Job.
Second Temple Judaism · reception history
Wisdom of Solomon 2–5 portrays the righteous man mocked and killed by the ungodly, then vindicated — a text often compared with the passion narratives.
Source: Wisdom of Solomon 2:12–20; 5:1–5
Gospels · canonical text
The infancy narratives open with righteous people waiting for God; Pilate’s wife calls Jesus “that righteous man” ().
Acts · canonical text
Jesus is “the Holy and Righteous One”; Cornelius is the first named Gentile convert.
Pauline & General Epistles · canonical text
Paul: no one is righteous by nature (); many are made righteous through Christ (). James and Peter still speak of righteous people.
Hebrews · canonical text
Hebrews 11 lists people of faith who “gained approval”, and places “the spirits of the righteous made perfect” in the heavenly assembly.
Revelation · canonical text
“Let the righteous continue to practise righteousness” ().
Church Fathers · reception history
Eastern liturgical calendars commemorate OT figures as “holy righteous” (e.g. Abraham, Job, Joachim and Anna); Jewish tradition developed the idea of the tzaddik, including the later legend of 36 hidden righteous.
Source: Byzantine calendar; Talmud, Sanhedrin 97b
The 21 people are those named in the module brief. “Called righteous” is checked against the Hebrew/Greek wording, so only some are explicit. Hebrews 11 commends faith, not sinlessness: most of these people have a recorded failure or lament, and where none is recorded the narrative is usually very short.
Dot colour: green = called righteous in the text · blue = implied by the text · violet = tradition only.
| Person | Era | Status | Texts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primeval history | Called righteous in the text | ||
| Primeval history | Implied (near-synonyms / commended for faith) | ||
| Primeval history | Called righteous in the text | ||
| Patriarchs | Called righteous in the text | ||
| Patriarchs | Implied (near-synonyms / commended for faith) | ||
| Patriarchs | Title from later tradition | ||
| Patriarchs | Title from later tradition | ||
| Exodus | Implied (near-synonyms / commended for faith) | ||
| Conquest | Implied (near-synonyms / commended for faith) | ||
| Judges / early monarchy | Implied (near-synonyms / commended for faith) | ||
| Undated (wisdom narrative) | Called righteous in the text | ||
| United monarchy | Called righteous in the text | ||
| Divided monarchy | Implied (near-synonyms / commended for faith) | ||
| Exile | Called righteous in the text | ||
| Late monarchy / exile | Implied (near-synonyms / commended for faith) | ||
| Gospels | Called righteous in the text | ||
| Gospels | Called righteous in the text | ||
| Gospels | Called righteous in the text | ||
| Gospels | Called righteous in the text | ||
| Acts | Called righteous in the text | ||
| Acts / epistles | Called righteous in the text |
Why called righteous
Genesis does not use the word, but Jesus speaks of “righteous Abel” (), Hebrews says he “was commended as righteous” () and John calls his deeds righteous ().
Faith
“By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain” ().
Obedience
Genesis does not state why Abel’s offering was accepted (); proposals (firstborn and fat portions, the attitude of the giver, faith per Hebrews) are interpretations.
Tests
Hated and killed by his brother (; ).
Failures
No failure of Abel is recorded; the account is very brief ().
Victories
“Though he is dead, he still speaks” (); his blood is contrasted with the better word of Jesus’ blood ().
New Testament commentary
Named first in the faith list of and as the first righteous martyr in .
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · Righteousness · The Righteous
Why called righteous
Not called ṣaddîq in Genesis; he “walked with God” () and “was commended as one who pleased God” ().
Faith
“By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death” (); Hebrews then states that without faith it is impossible to please God ().
Obedience
“Enoch walked with God” is said twice (; ).
Tests
No specific test is narrated. Jude’s quotation () of 1 Enoch 1:9 portrays him as a prophet against ungodliness; 1 Enoch is a Second Temple work, not Genesis.
Failures
None recorded.
Victories
“Then he was no more, because God had taken him” ().
New Testament commentary
; . Later Enoch literature (1–3 Enoch) is tradition, not Scripture for most Jewish and Christian bodies.
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · The Righteous
Why called righteous
The first person called ṣaddîq in the Bible: “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation” (; ); named with Daniel and Job in .
Faith
“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in reverent fear built an ark … and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” ().
Obedience
“Noah did everything just as God had commanded him” (; ).
Tests
The flood and long building of the ark; he is called “a preacher of righteousness” in .
Failures
Drunkenness and exposure after the flood ().
Victories
He and his family are preserved and God makes a covenant with him (; ).
New Testament commentary
; ; ; .
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · Righteousness · The Righteous
Why called righteous
Not called ṣaddîq in a title, but “he believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness” (), quoted in , and .
Faith
Believed the promise of offspring when it seemed impossible (; ).
Obedience
Left his land (; ) and offered Isaac (; ).
Tests
“God tested Abraham” () — the binding of Isaac.
Failures
Twice presented Sarah as his sister (; ); took Hagar at Sarah’s suggestion ().
Victories
“Now I know that you fear God” (); called “the friend of God” (; ; ).
New Testament commentary
Paul reads to show righteousness credited apart from works (); James reads as faith “perfected” by works (). How the two readings fit is discussed in the Faith and Righteousness concepts.
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · Righteousness · The Righteous · Hypostasis
Why called righteous
Not called righteous; commended for faith in blessing Jacob and Esau ().
Faith
“By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come” ().
Obedience
In Isaac does not resist being bound; the text gives no age or inner response. Jewish tradition (the Akedah) stresses his willing consent.
Tests
Famine and fear in Gerar (); disputes over wells ().
Failures
Repeated his father’s deception about his wife (); favoured Esau ().
Victories
The LORD renewed the Abrahamic promise to him (; ).
New Testament commentary
Child of promise (; ); .
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · The Righteous
Why called righteous
Jacob is not called ṣaddîq. calls him (BSB “a quiet man”; the same word means “blameless” of Job in ) — the sense here is debated. Inclusion among “the righteous” rests on and tradition.
Faith
“By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped” ().
Obedience
Returned to Bethel and put away foreign gods at God’s command ().
Tests
Exile, Laban’s deceit, wrestling with God (), the apparent loss of Joseph ().
Failures
Deceived his father for the blessing (); favouritism among his sons ().
Victories
Renamed Israel, “for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed” ().
New Testament commentary
; God’s election “not by works” ().
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · The Righteous
Why called righteous
Genesis does not call Joseph ṣaddîq; rabbinic tradition names him “Joseph the Righteous” (Yosef ha-Tsaddiq), largely for his refusal in .
Source: Rabbinic tradition
Faith
“By faith Joseph … spoke about the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones” (; ).
Obedience
Refused Potiphar’s wife: “How could I … sin against God?” ().
Tests
Sold by his brothers, falsely accused, imprisoned (; ); “until the word of the LORD proved him true” ().
Failures
Some readers see youthful pride in reporting his dreams () or harshness toward his brothers (); the text does not evaluate either.
Victories
Exalted in Egypt and reconciled to his brothers: “God meant it for good” ().
New Testament commentary
; .
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · The Righteous
Why called righteous
Not called ṣaddîq; called faithful in all God’s house (; ).
Faith
Chose ill-treatment with God’s people; “he persevered as if seeing Him who is invisible” ().
Obedience
“Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded him” ().
Tests
Pharaoh’s opposition, Israel’s grumbling, Korah’s revolt ().
Failures
Struck the rock and did not treat the LORD as holy, so he did not enter the land ().
Victories
“The LORD would speak with Moses face to face” (); .
New Testament commentary
; ; .
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · Parrhesia · The Righteous
Why called righteous
Not called ṣaddîq; with Caleb he “followed the LORD wholeheartedly” ().
Faith
With Caleb urged Israel to trust God and enter the land (); “by faith the walls of Jericho fell” ().
Obedience
“Be strong and very courageous, to carefully observe all the law” (); “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” ().
Tests
Defeat at Ai after Achan’s sin ().
Failures
Made a treaty with the Gibeonites without asking the LORD ().
Victories
Led Israel into the land ().
New Testament commentary
; .
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · The Righteous
Why called righteous
Not called ṣaddîq; the people testify, “You have not cheated us or oppressed us” ().
Faith
Listed among those “who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice” ().
Obedience
“Speak, for Your servant is listening” (); “to obey is better than sacrifice” ().
Tests
Israel’s demand for a king (); Saul’s rejection ().
Failures
His sons “did not walk in his ways” ().
Victories
“The LORD was with Samuel … and let none of his words fall to the ground” ().
New Testament commentary
; ; .
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · Parrhesia · The Righteous
Why called righteous
The narrator calls him “blameless and upright” ( wəyāšār, ); Job calls himself “righteous and blameless” (); Ezekiel names him with Noah and Daniel “by their righteousness” ().
Faith
“Though He slay me, I will hope in Him” (); “I know that my Redeemer lives” ().
Obedience
Feared God and shunned evil (); his oath of innocence lists his conduct ().
Tests
Loss of children, wealth and health (; ).
Failures
Elihu and the LORD rebuke him for words “without knowledge” (); Job repents (). The LORD still says Job spoke rightly, unlike the friends ().
Victories
“The LORD restored his prosperity” (); “you have heard of Job’s perseverance” ().
New Testament commentary
(endurance); quotes .
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · Righteousness · Parrhesia · The Righteous
Why called righteous
Saul tells David, “You are more righteous than I” (); David speaks of reward “according to my righteousness” () yet confesses that no one living is righteous before God ().
Faith
“The LORD … will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” ().
Obedience
Spared Saul twice rather than harm the LORD’s anointed (; ).
Tests
Years as a fugitive; Absalom’s revolt ().
Failures
Adultery with Bathsheba and the killing of Uriah (); the census ().
Victories
Repentance and forgiveness (; ); the covenant of .
New Testament commentary
Paul cites David on the blessedness of the one “to whom God credits righteousness apart from works” (, quoting ).
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · Righteousness · Parrhesia · The Righteous
Why called righteous
James illustrates “the prayer of a righteous man” with Elijah (); Kings does not call him ṣaddîq.
Faith
Prayed and the rain stopped and returned (; ; ).
Obedience
Went to Ahab at the LORD’s word ().
Tests
Jezebel’s threat drove him to despair under the broom tree ().
Failures
“I have had enough, LORD … take my life” (); he believed he alone was left (; ).
Victories
Mount Carmel (); taken up in a whirlwind ().
New Testament commentary
; ; present at the transfiguration ().
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · Parrhesia · The Righteous
Why called righteous
Ezekiel names “Noah, Daniel and Job” as men saved “by their righteousness” (; ). Whether Ezekiel’s Dan(i)el is the Daniel of the book of Daniel or an ancient figure (cf. Ugaritic Danel) is debated.
Faith
“No wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God” (); Hebrews alludes to those who “shut the mouths of lions” ().
Obedience
Resolved not to defile himself (); prayed three times a day despite the decree ().
Tests
The lions’ den ().
Failures
None recorded; he confesses the sins of the people as “we” ().
Victories
Kings acknowledge his God (; ).
New Testament commentary
; .
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · Parrhesia · The Righteous
Why called righteous
Not called ṣaddîq; consecrated before birth ().
Faith
Bought a field during the siege as a sign that the land would be restored (; ).
Obedience
Spoke the words he was given to kings and people despite opposition (; ).
Tests
Beaten, put in stocks, cast into a cistern (; ).
Failures
Cursed the day of his birth and accused God of deceiving him (; ) — lament, not rebellion.
Victories
His word was fulfilled (); the new covenant promise ().
New Testament commentary
is quoted at length in ; .
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · Parrhesia · The Righteous
Why called righteous
“Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments” ().
Faith
After his doubt, he confirmed the name “John” and praised God (; ).
Obedience
Served in the temple according to his division ().
Tests
Childlessness into old age ().
Failures
“You did not believe my words”; he was made mute ().
Victories
Filled with the Holy Spirit, he prophesied ().
New Testament commentary
; .
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · The Righteous
Why called righteous
Called righteous with her husband ().
Faith
“Blessed is she who has believed” ().
Obedience
Insisted on the name John as the angel had said (; ).
Tests
Barrenness and its “disgrace” ().
Failures
None recorded.
Victories
Filled with the Holy Spirit, she blessed Mary ().
New Testament commentary
; .
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · The Righteous
Why called righteous
“Righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel” ().
Faith
Waited for the promise that he would see the Lord’s Christ ().
Obedience
Came into the temple “moved by the Spirit” ().
Tests
Long waiting is implied by ; the text does not give his age.
Failures
None recorded.
Victories
“My eyes have seen Your salvation” ().
New Testament commentary
.
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · The Righteous
Why called righteous
“Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly” ().
Faith
Took Mary as his wife after the angel’s message ().
Obedience
Obeyed each dream promptly (; ; ).
Tests
Mary’s pregnancy; flight to Egypt (; ).
Failures
None recorded.
Victories
joins righteousness (law-keeping) with mercy (not shaming Mary); commentators see this as Matthew’s model of righteousness.
New Testament commentary
; ; .
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · Righteousness · The Righteous
Why called righteous
“A righteous and God-fearing man, well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation” ().
Faith
Heard the message, received the Holy Spirit and was baptized (; “cleansing their hearts by faith”).
Obedience
Gave generously and prayed continually (); sent for Peter at once ().
Tests
None narrated beyond being a Gentile outside the covenant community ().
Failures
Bowed down to Peter, who raised him up ().
Victories
“God does not show favoritism, but in every nation welcomes those who fear Him and do what is right” ().
New Testament commentary
; .
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · Righteousness · The Righteous
Why called righteous
Calls himself “as to righteousness in the law, faultless” () but counts it loss for “the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” (); “how holy, righteous and blameless we were” ().
Faith
“The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God” ().
Obedience
“I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” ().
Tests
Imprisonments, beatings, shipwreck (); the thorn in the flesh ().
Failures
Persecuted the church (; ); sharp disagreement with Barnabas ().
Victories
“I have fought the good fight … I have kept the faith” (); preached “with all boldness” to the end of Acts ().
New Testament commentary
Paul is the main NT voice on righteousness by faith (; ; ) and on parrhesia in ministry (; ).
Key texts:
Concepts: Faith · Righteousness · Parrhesia · The Righteous
· · · · · · · · · · ·
The text itself uses ṣaddîq / dikaios (or attributes ṣĕdāqâ) of these people.
· · · · · ·
Described with near-synonyms or included among the heroes of faith; calling them “righteous” is a fair inference, not a quotation.
·
The title comes from later Jewish or Christian tradition rather than the biblical text.
· · · · ·
Scripture records the failures of most of these figures: Noah’s drunkenness, Abraham’s deception, Moses at Meribah, David with Bathsheba, Elijah’s despair.
Published · Study 9
Job, Abraham, Faith, and the Nature of True Righteousness
Faith Counted as Righteousness and Righteousness Tested Through Suffering
Published · Study 10
Job and Parrhesia: Boldness in the Presence of God
Bold Speech, Refusal to Abandon the Truth, Direct Petition, and Confidence in Vindication
Published · Study 11
Reality, Faith, Boldness, Righteousness: The Framework
Hypostasis → Faith → Parrhesia → Righteous Living → The Righteous
Secondary· theological synthesismedium This page is a curated study, not an exhaustive treatment; interpretive claims are labelled with their tier and confidence.