Word Studies¶
H6663 — צָדַק (tsadaq) — THE KEY VERB¶
Original: צָדַק Transliteration: tsadaq Pronunciation: tsaw-dak Part of Speech: Verb BLB Count: 41 (54 total occurrences with variant translations) Definition: A primitive root; to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense): cleanse, clear self, (be, do) just(-ice, -ify, -ify self), (be turn to) righteous(-ness).
Morphology in Daniel 8:14¶
Form: נִצְדַּק (nitsdaq) — Niphal Perfect 3ms - Niphal = passive/reflexive stem — "to be justified/vindicated" - Perfect = completed action - 3ms = "it" (referring to qodesh, "sanctuary") - Literal: "and [the] sanctuary will be justified/vindicated"
All Translations of H6663 in the KJV¶
| Translation | Count | Key Verses |
|---|---|---|
| be justified | 4 | Job 11:2; 25:4; Psa 143:2; Isa 45:25 |
| righteous | 2 | Gen 38:26; Psa 19:9 |
| justify | 2 | Exo 23:7; Isa 53:11 |
| just | 2 | Job 4:17; 33:12 |
| be cleansed | 1 | Dan 8:14 (ONLY occurrence translated "cleansed") |
| to righteousness | 1 | Dan 12:3 |
Critical finding: Dan 8:14 is the ONLY verse in the entire OT where H6663 tsadaq is translated "cleansed." All other occurrences are translated with forensic/legal vocabulary: justified, just, righteous, justify, clear. The KJV "cleansed" follows the LXX rendering (katharisthesetai), not the Hebrew.
Every Niphal/Passive Occurrence of tsadaq¶
- Job 9:2 — "how should man be just [yitsdaq] with God?" — courtroom question
- Job 13:18 — "I know that I shall be justified [etsdaq]" — courtroom claim
- Job 25:4 — "How then can man be justified [yitsdaq] with God?" — courtroom question
- Psalm 51:4 — "that thou mightest be justified [titsdaq] when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest" — courtroom/trial language
- Psalm 143:2 — "in thy sight shall no man living be justified [yitsdaq]" — divine judgment context
- Isaiah 43:9 — "let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified [yitsdaqu]" — witnesses/trial
- Isaiah 43:26 — "declare thou, that thou mayest be justified [titsdaq]" — pleading a case
- Isaiah 45:25 — "In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified [yitsdaqu]" — vindication by God
- Daniel 8:14 — "then shall the sanctuary be vindicated [nitsdaq]" — THE ONLY Niphal Perfect
Pattern: Every single Niphal/passive use of tsadaq occurs in a courtroom, judgment, or forensic context. NONE occurs in a ritual cleansing context. Daniel 8:14's nitsdaq is FORENSIC, meaning "the sanctuary will be vindicated/declared righteous" — a legal verdict, not a ritual purification.
LXX Translation Pattern¶
The LXX standard equivalent for H6663 tsadaq is G1344 dikaioo ("to justify/vindicate"): - PMI score: 8.73 (highest of all LXX translations for tsadaq) - Count: 21 occurrences where LXX renders tsadaq as dikaioo - Key examples: Psa 51:4 → LXX Psa 50:6 uses dikaioo; Isa 43:9,26 → dikaioo
The anomaly: In Daniel 8:14, the LXX uses katharisthesetai (from G2511 katharizo, "to cleanse") instead of the expected dikaiothesetai. This substituted the Hebrew meaning entirely, replacing "vindicated" with "cleansed." The KJV followed this LXX rendering rather than the Hebrew original.
H2891 — טָהֵר (taher) — The Cleansing Word Daniel AVOIDED¶
Original: טָהֵר Transliteration: taher Pronunciation: taw-hare Part of Speech: Verb BLB Count: 94 (115 total occurrences) Definition: A primitive root; properly, to be bright; to be pure (Levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy): be (make, make self, pronounce) clean, cleanse (self), purge, purify.
Semantic Field: Ritual/Levitical Cleansing¶
This is THE standard Levitical cleansing verb. Dominant in: - Leviticus 13-14 — Cleansing from leprosy (30+ occurrences) - Leviticus 15 — Cleansing from bodily discharges - Leviticus 16:19 — "and cleanse it [the altar]" — DOA ritual - Leviticus 16:30 — "to cleanse you, that ye may be clean" — DOA purpose
Key Contrast with tsadaq¶
| Feature | taher (H2891) | tsadaq (H6663) |
|---|---|---|
| Domain | Ritual/Levitical | Forensic/legal |
| Context | Temple purification, bodily cleansing | Courtroom, trial, judgment |
| Day of Atonement | YES — Lev 16:19,30 | NO — never used for DOA |
| Daniel 8:14 | NOT used | USED (nitsdaq) |
| Implies | Contamination removed | Verdict rendered |
Parsing from Leviticus 16:19¶
Hebrew: וְטִהֲרֹ֣ו (vetiharo) — Piel Perfect 3ms + 3ms suffix - Piel stem = intensive/causative: "he shall cleanse it" - Verb: טהר (taher, H2891) - This is what Daniel WOULD have used if he meant ritual cleansing
Parsing from Leviticus 16:30¶
Hebrew: לְטַהֵ֣ר (letaher) — Piel Infinitive Construct - Purpose: "to cleanse you" - Followed by: תִּטְהָֽרוּ (titharu) — Qal Imperfect 2mp: "you shall be clean" - Both forms use taher — the standard DOA cleansing verb
H3722 — כָּפַר (kaphar) — The Atonement Word Daniel AVOIDED in 8:14¶
Original: כָּפַר Transliteration: kaphar Pronunciation: kaw-far Part of Speech: Verb BLB Count: 102 Definition: A primitive root; to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel: appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge, put off, (make) reconcile(-liation).
Day of Atonement Usage¶
Kaphar appears extensively in Leviticus 16 — the DOA chapter: - Lev 16:6 — "make an atonement for himself" - Lev 16:10 — "to make an atonement with him" - Lev 16:11,16,17,18,20,24,27,30,32,33,34 — repeated atonement references
Daniel 9:24 — kaphar Used by Daniel Elsewhere¶
"to make reconciliation [lekhapper, H3722 Piel Infinitive] for iniquity"
Key finding: Daniel KNEW the word kaphar and used it in 9:24. He deliberately chose NOT to use it in 8:14. Instead he used tsadaq — forensic vocabulary rather than atonement vocabulary. This proves the choice was intentional, not accidental.
Three-Way Vocabulary Comparison¶
| Verb | Meaning | Lev 16 (DOA) | Dan 8:14 | Dan 9:24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| taher (H2891) | cleanse | YES (v.19,30) | NO | NO |
| kaphar (H3722) | atone | YES (v.6,10,11,16,17,18,20,24,27,30,32,33,34) | NO | YES |
| tsadaq (H6663) | justify/vindicate | NO | YES | Related (tsedeq, "righteousness") |
H6944 — קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh) — The Subject Being Vindicated¶
Original: קֹדֶשׁ Transliteration: qodesh Pronunciation: ko-desh Part of Speech: Masculine noun BLB Count: 468 Definition: From H6942; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity: consecrated, dedicated, hallowed, holiness, (most) holy (day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary.
In Daniel 8:13-14¶
- Dan 8:13: "to give both the sanctuary [qodesh] and the host to be trodden under foot"
- Dan 8:14: "then shall [the] sanctuary [qodesh] be vindicated [nitsdaq]"
In Daniel 9:24¶
- "anoint the most Holy [qodesh qodashim]" — Holy of Holies language
Range of Meaning¶
Qodesh covers both the physical sanctuary structure and abstract holiness/sacredness. In Dan 8:13-14, it refers to God's sanctuary that has been trampled by the little horn's rebellion (pesha).
H6153 — עֶרֶב (ereb) — Evening¶
Original: עֶרֶב Transliteration: ereb Pronunciation: eh-reb Part of Speech: Masculine noun BLB Count: 137 Definition: From H6150; dusk: day, even(-ing, tide), night.
In Daniel 8:14 vs. Other Constructions¶
| Passage | Hebrew Construction | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 8:14 | עֶרֶב בֹּקֶר (ereb boqer) | Bare nouns, NO conjunction, NO article, NO preposition, NO verb |
| Dan 8:26 | הָעֶרֶב וְהַבֹּקֶר (ha-ereb ve-ha-boqer) | Definite articles + conjunction (back-reference) |
| Gen 1:5 | וַיְהִי עֶרֶב וַיְהִי בֹּקֶר (vayhi ereb vayhi boqer) | With verb "and there was" + conjunction |
| Lev 23:32 | מֵעֶרֶב עַד עֶרֶב (me-ereb ad-ereb) | "From evening to evening" — prepositions, NO morning |
| Exo 27:21 | מֵעֶרֶב עַד בֹּקֶר (me-ereb ad boqer) | "From evening to morning" — daily service |
H1242 — בֹּקֶר (boqer) — Morning¶
Original: בֹּקֶר Transliteration: boqer Pronunciation: bo-ker Part of Speech: Masculine noun BLB Count: 205 Definition: From H1239; properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning: day, early, morning, morrow.
Critical Absence in Day of Atonement¶
Leviticus 23:32 defines the Day of Atonement as "from evening to evening" (me-ereb ad-ereb) — there is NO morning (boqer) component. Daniel 8:14 includes morning (boqer) — matching the Genesis creation pattern, NOT the DOA pattern.
In Daniel¶
- Dan 8:14: boqer (without article) — paired with ereb
- Dan 8:26: ha-boqer (with article) — back-referencing 8:14
- Dan 12:11: uses yamim ("days"), NOT ereb-boqer
H6588 — פֶּשַׁע (pesha) — Transgression/Rebellion (The Accusation)¶
Original: פֶּשַׁע Transliteration: pesha Pronunciation: peh-shah Part of Speech: Masculine noun BLB Count: 93 Definition: From H6586; a revolt (national, moral or religious): rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass.
In Daniel 8-9 Context¶
- Dan 8:12 — "by reason of transgression [pesha]" — the little horn acts through rebellion
- Dan 8:13 — "the transgression [pesha] of desolation" — the accusation/charge
- Dan 9:24 — "to finish the transgression [ha-pesha]" — same word, same root problem
The Question-Answer Structure of 8:13-14¶
The question (8:13) describes INJUSTICE using pesha: - "How long [shall be] the vision [concerning] the daily [sacrifice], and the transgression [pesha] of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot [mirmac]?"
The answer (8:14) provides JUSTICE using tsadaq: - "Unto two thousand and three hundred evening-morning; then shall the sanctuary be vindicated [nitsdaq]."
The answer matches the question: rebellion (pesha) is answered by vindication (tsadaq) — forensic terminology throughout.
G1344 — δικαιόω (dikaioo) — Greek NT "Justify"¶
Original: δικαιόω Transliteration: dikaioo Pronunciation: dik-ah-yo-o Part of Speech: Verb BLB Count: 40 (43 total occurrences) Definition: From G1342; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent: free, justify.
The Standard LXX Translation of tsadaq¶
dikaioo is the PRIMARY Greek equivalent of H6663 tsadaq in the LXX: - PMI score: 8.73 (highest correlation) - 21 co-occurrences across the OT Greek - This is the expected word for Dan 8:14 in Greek
NT Usage Pattern — ALL Forensic¶
| Translation | Count | Key Verses |
|---|---|---|
| justified | 7 | Luk 7:29; 18:14; Rom 5:9; 8:30; 1Co 4:4; Gal 2:16; 1Ti 3:16 |
| is justified | 4 | Mat 12:37; Rom 3:28; Gal 3:11 |
| be justified | 3 | Rom 3:20; Gal 2:16; 3:24 |
| justifieth/justifier | 3 | Rom 3:26; 4:5; 8:33 |
Key Verse: Romans 8:33¶
"Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justifieth [ho theos ho dikaion]."
This is the NT courtroom equivalent of Daniel 8:14's vindication — God as judge renders a favorable verdict.
G2511 — καθαρίζω (katharizo) — Greek "Cleanse" (Anomalous LXX Translation)¶
Original: καθαρίζω Transliteration: katharizo Pronunciation: kath-ar-id-zo Part of Speech: Verb BLB Count: 30 Definition: From G2513; to cleanse (literally or figuratively): (make) clean(-se), purge, purify.
Usage Domain: Physical/Ritual Cleansing¶
- Cleansing lepers: Mat 8:2-3; Mrk 1:40-42; Luk 4:27; 17:14,17
- Ritual cleansing: Act 10:15; 11:9; 15:9
- Moral purification: 2Co 7:1; Eph 5:26; Tit 2:14; Jas 4:8; 1Jn 1:7,9
- Sanctuary purification: Heb 9:22-23 (heavenly things purified)
The LXX Anomaly in Daniel 8:14¶
The LXX translators rendered the Hebrew nitsdaq (from tsadaq = justify/vindicate) as katharisthesetai (from katharizo = cleanse). This is anomalous because:
- The standard Greek for tsadaq is dikaioo (PMI 8.73, 21 occurrences)
- katharizo is the standard Greek for taher (H2891), not tsadaq (H6663)
- The LXX substituted the semantic domain entirely: forensic → ritual
How the LXX Error Propagated¶
Hebrew text (nitsdaq/tsadaq) → LXX translates as katharisthesetai (katharizo) → Vulgate follows LXX → KJV translates "cleansed" following the tradition → English readers think Dan 8:14 is about ritual cleansing
The correct rendering should reflect the Hebrew: "then shall the sanctuary be justified/vindicated."
H6664 — צֶדֶק (tsedeq) — Righteousness (Same Root as tsadaq)¶
Original: צֶדֶק Transliteration: tsedeq Pronunciation: tseh-dek Part of Speech: Masculine noun BLB Count: 116 Definition: From H6663; the right (natural, moral or legal); equity or prosperity: just(-ice), right(-eous, -eousness).
In Daniel 9:24¶
"to bring in everlasting righteousness [tsedeq olamim]"
Hebrew parsing: צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664, Noun.ms.Cst) + עֹלָמִים (olamim, Noun.mp.Abs, "eternities")
This is the noun form of the same root as Dan 8:14's verb nitsdaq (H6663). Gabriel's explanation in 9:24 uses the SAME ROOT as the prophecy being explained in 8:14, linking them explicitly: - 8:14: the sanctuary will be vindicated (nitsdaq — verbal form) - 9:24: to bring in everlasting righteousness (tsedeq — noun form)
Translation Distribution for H6664¶
- "righteousness" — 27 times (including Dan 9:24)
- "justice/just" — various forms
- "right" — various forms
H4941 — מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) — Verdict/Judgment¶
Original: מִשְׁפָּט Transliteration: mishpat Pronunciation: mish-pawt Part of Speech: Masculine noun BLB Count: 421 Definition: From H8199; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree; abstractly, justice; a participant's right or privilege: judgment, justice, manner, ordinance, right, sentence.
Key Uses in Daniel and the Forensic Framework¶
- Dan 7:10 — "the judgment [dina, Aramaic] was set, and the books were opened"
- Dan 7:22 — "judgment [dina] was given TO the saints"
- Dan 7:26 — "But the judgment [dina] shall sit"
- Job 9:19 — "if of judgment [mishpat], who shall set me a time [to plead]?"
- Job 9:32 — "we should come together in judgment [mishpat]"
- Job 13:18 — "I have ordered [my] cause" — legal case preparation
- Job 40:8 — "Wilt thou disannul my judgment [mishpat]?"
mishpat and tsadaq belong to the SAME semantic domain — forensic/legal/courtroom language. Daniel's use of tsadaq in 8:14 places the sanctuary vindication squarely within the judgment framework of Dan 7:9-10.
H3725 — כִּפֻּר (kippur) — Expiation/Atonement (Day of Atonement Term)¶
Original: כִּפֻּר Transliteration: kippur Pronunciation: kip-poor Part of Speech: Masculine plural noun BLB Count: 8 Definition: From H3722 (kaphar); expiation (only in plural): atonement.
Occurrences — ALL Related to DOA/Atonement Rituals¶
- Exo 29:36; 30:10,16
- Lev 23:27,28 — "the day of atonement [yom ha-kippurim]"
- Lev 25:9
- Num 5:8; 29:11
This is the specific DOA vocabulary. Daniel does NOT use this word family in 8:14. The connection between Dan 8:14 and the DOA exists through CONTEXT (sanctuary, judgment, 9:24's kaphar) but NOT through the vocabulary of 8:14 itself.
H8199 — שָׁפַט (shaphat) — To Judge/Vindicate¶
Original: שָׁפַט Transliteration: shaphat Pronunciation: shaw-fat Part of Speech: Verb BLB Count: 203 Definition: A primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extension, to govern: judge, plead, reason, rule.
Key Uses¶
- Isa 43:26 — "let us plead together [nishshaphetah]" — used alongside tsadaq in the same verse
- Psa 51:4 — "be clear when thou judgest [beshaphtekha]" — used alongside tsadaq in the same verse
- Deu 25:1 — "that [the judges] may judge [shaphat] them; then they shall justify [tsadaq] the righteous"
shaphat and tsadaq are companion words in the forensic vocabulary domain. Where there is judging (shaphat), there is justification/vindication (tsadaq). Dan 7's judgment scene (using the Aramaic equivalent of shaphat) leads directly to Dan 8:14's vindication (tsadaq).