τεταρταῖος (tetartaios)
tetartaios
fourth
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective tetartaios simply means "of the fourth day" or "four days old." It is a straightforward temporal marker derived from the word for "four," appearing only once in the New Testament. Its usage is strictly descriptive, pinpointing a specific moment in time without adding theological commentary or emotional weight.
This single occurrence appears in John 11:39, where Martha expresses her concern about the state of her brother Lazarus before Jesus raises him from the dead. She notes that he has been in the tomb for four days, using tetartaios to emphasize that decomposition had likely begun. In this context, the word serves as a concrete detail that highlights the hopelessness of the situation from a human perspective.
Because it is so rare, the word does not carry a broad range of meanings or nuanced theological implications. It functions purely as a chronological signpost, grounding the narrative in a specific, tangible reality. Its presence reminds readers that the miracle described follows a clear timeline, making the event more vivid rather than abstract.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tetartaios appears just once in the New Testament, marking a specific moment in John 11:39. Martha uses it to describe how long her brother Lazarus had been in the tomb. By noting that four days had passed, she highlights the finality of death from a human viewpoint. In that culture, it was believed that the soul lingered near the body for three days before departing, making the fourth day a point of no return.
This detail grounds the miracle in reality. Jesus does not raise Lazarus at the moment of death or shortly after; He waits until the situation seems entirely hopeless. This timing shows that God’s power is not limited by natural laws or human expectations. When we face situations that feel beyond repair, this story reminds us that divine intervention can occur even when all signs point to impossibility.
Understanding this word helps us appreciate the depth of Jesus’ compassion and power. It invites us to trust in His timing, even when our circumstances seem settled against us. The narrative assures us that no situation is too far gone for God’s grace to reach it.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- four days1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τεταρταῖος1×
Key Verses
-
John 11:39
Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
Martha uses this term to emphasize the finality of death, noting that decomposition had begun and human hope was exhausted.