The Hebrew verb זָכָה (root: ז־כ־ה) means “to be innocent,” “to be pure,” “to be acquitted,” or “to attain” or “gain” something. It combines legal, moral, and spiritual connotations. In a legal sense, it refers to being declared clean or righteous; in a spiritual or moral sense, it refers to purity or blamelessness. In some contexts, especially in the Hiphil stem, it can mean “to gain,” “to earn,” or “to merit” a reward or status.
The root is also connected to the noun זַכַּי (“innocent one”) and to Modern Hebrew words like זְכוּת (“merit, right”).
Qal Binyan Conjugation of זָכָה (“to be innocent, pure”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | זָכִיתִי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | זָכִיתָ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | זָכִית |
| 3rd person masculine singular | זָכָה |
| 3rd person feminine singular | זָכְתָה |
| 1st person plural | זָכִינוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | זְכִיתֶם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | זְכִיתֶן |
| 3rd person plural | זָכוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | זֹכֶה |
| Feminine singular | זֹכָה |
| Masculine plural | זֹכִים |
| Feminine plural | זֹכוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֶזְכֶּה |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תִּזְכֶּה |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תִּזְכִּי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יִזְכֶּה |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תִּזְכֶּה |
| 1st person plural | נִזְכֶּה |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תִּזְכּוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תִּזְכֶּינָה |
| 3rd person plural | יִזְכּוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | זְכֶה |
| 2nd person feminine singular | זִכִּי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | זִכּוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | זְכֶּינָה |
Usage in Scripture
- Job 9:2 – וּמַה־יִּצְדַּ֖ק אֱנֹ֣ושׁ עִם־אֵֽל
(Precedes the theme: how can a person be declared pure before God?) - Psalm 24:4–5 – נְקִי כַפַּיִם וּבַר לֵבָב… יִשָּׂא בְרָכָה מֵאֵת יְהוָה וּצְדָקָה מֵאֱלֹהֵי יִשְׁעוֹ
(Speaks of the one who will attain [זָכָה] blessing and righteousness.) - Daniel 12:3 – וְהַמַּשְׂכִּלִים יַזְהִרוּ… וּמַצְדִּיקֵי הָרַבִּים
(Thematically connected: shining and meriting exaltation.)
Summary
The verb זָכָה expresses purity, acquittal, and merit. It bridges legal righteousness and spiritual worthiness, making it a key term in biblical theology and ethics. Whether in the sense of being cleared from guilt or of being deemed worthy of blessing, it underscores divine approval and favor—both earned and graciously given.
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