Σαδώκ
Zadok
Definition
Σαδώκ (Zadok) is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name צָדוֹק (Tsadok), meaning 'righteous' or 'just'. In the New Testament, it appears exclusively in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:14, where he is listed as an ancestor. This specific Zadok is likely the high priest from the time of King David (2 Samuel 8:17) or a later descendant from the priestly line. The name carries the connotation of priestly legitimacy and fidelity, as the historical Zadok was a faithful priest who anointed Solomon.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 1:14, within the genealogy tracing Jesus's lineage from Abraham. Its usage is purely referential, identifying a specific individual in a list of ancestors. There are no other contextual uses or patterns in the New Testament.
Etymology
The word is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name צָדוֹק (Tsadok) into Greek. It derives from the Hebrew root צ-ד-ק (ts-d-q), which relates to righteousness, justice, and correctness. The name itself means 'righteous' or 'just.'
Semantic Range
The inclusion of Zadok in Jesus's genealogy (Matthew 1:14) is theologically significant. It connects Jesus to the legitimate, faithful priestly line established under King David, which God promised would endure (1 Kings 2:35). This reinforces Jesus's dual role as both the promised Davidic king and the ultimate high priest (Hebrews 4:14), fulfilling and surpassing the Old Testament priesthood. Understanding this name enriches the reading of Matthew's genealogy by highlighting Jesus's priestly heritage.
In the original Jewish cultural setting, the name Zadok immediately evoked the high priest who served David and Solomon and the enduring priestly line that bore his name (Ezekiel 44:15). This lineage was synonymous with priestly legitimacy, covenant faithfulness, and proper temple service, in contrast to other priestly lines that fell into corruption. For Matthew's original audience, listing Zadok affirmed Jesus's connection to this authentic, God-ordained priestly heritage.
There are no direct synonyms for this proper name. Conceptually, it relates to: ἱερεύς (hiereus, G2409) — a general term for 'priest', of which Zadok was a specific, defining example.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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