Question 1

What does "Righteousness" mean in the King James Bible?

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Righteousness" means "moral goodness." The restorative, relational dimension. Tsedaqah was not about personal moral perfection but about faithfully maintaining and restoring right relationships. A righteous king fed the poor, freed the captive, and restored the marginalized. 'Hunger and thirst for righteousness' meant craving a world set right, not craving moral purity.

Question 2

Why did the word "Righteousness" disappear from modern English?

Accepted Answer

Hebrew tsedaqah meant 'right relationships/restorative justice/covenant faithfulness'; English 'righteousness' became moralistic rule-keeping -- 'being a good person' rather than 'making things right.' The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by still used but misunderstood (~1900).

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Righteousness"?

Accepted Answer

"Righteousness" was replaced by: "morality" (though this individual rule-keeping; righteousness was relational and communal -- putting broken things right); "goodness" (though this vague and subjective; righteousness had a specific standard -- god's character expressed in human community); "justice" (though this closer, but modern 'justice' focuses on punishment; tsedaqah focused on restoration).

What Does “Righteousness” Mean in the Bible?

What Was Lost