Argument Maps/Training/Ervais

Introduction

The meaning of צְדָקָה in Ps 98.2.

The traditional MT Hebrew text of Ps 98.2 reads as follows: הוֹדִ֣יעַ יְ֭הוָה יְשׁוּעָת֑וֹ לְעֵינֵ֥י הַ֝גּוֹיִ֗ם גִּלָּ֥ה צִדְקָתֽוֹ׃
Among the key words of Ps 98.2, one may point the hebrew term צְדָקָה. Stigers notes rightfully “the original significance of the root ṣdq to have been ‘to be straight.’” It centers here on keeping an established norm. Nonetheless, interpreters differ in their understanding here as one can see with the renderings in different translations. The ESV, renders our hebrew term as follows:

he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations

RSV prefers the following rendering:

he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations

The vast majority of French translations follow the interpretation of CEV. For example, the French TOB reads here:

aux yeux des nations il a révélé sa justice

These different interpretations come from the fact that can צְדָקָה be understood from three major perspectives. How should one therefore understand the meaning of צְדָקָה in the context of Ps 98?

1. Option 1: צְדָקָה as a divine ethical act, righteousness (ESV, NIV, NABS, NLT, REB)
2. Option 2: צְדָקָה as a divine legal act, justice (CEV, NFC, PDV, BDS, NBS, TOB, S21, NVSR)
3. Option 3: צְדָקָה as a divine salvific and redemptive act, vindication (RSV, NRSV)

Argument Map(s)

 
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[צְדָקָה as righteousness]: Divine and ethical act.
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[צְדָקָה as justice]: Divine and legal act.
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[צְדָקָה as vindication]: Divine and salvific and redemptive act.
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Research

Translations

Ancient

• ἀπεκάλυψεν τὴν δικαιοσύνην αὐτοῦ (LXX)
• “He revealed his justice/justification/righteousness”

Modern

• he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations (ESV)
• and revealed his righteousness to the nations (NIV)
• He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations (NABS)
• and has revealed his righteousness to every nation! (NLT)
• he has displayed his saving righteousness to all the nations (REB)
• he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations (RSV)
• he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations (NRSV)
• he made his saving power known to the nations (GNT)
• has displayed His triumph in the sight of the nations (NJPS)
• that he has the power to save and to bring justice (CEV)
• aux yeux de tous il a révélé sa justice (NFC)
• il a fait connaître sa justice (PDV)
• aux yeux des autres peuples, ╵il a révélé sa justice (BDS)
• il a dévoilé sa justice sous les yeux des nations (NBS)
• aux yeux des nations il a révélé sa justice (TOB)
• il a révélé sa justice sous les yeux des nations (S21)
• Il a révélé sa justice aux yeux des nations (NVSR)

References

98:2 (Training page)