τετράδιον (tetradion)
tetradion
squad of four
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun tetradion refers to a specific military unit consisting of four soldiers. In the New Testament, this term appears only once, in Acts 12:4, where it describes the guard assigned to watch over Peter after his arrest by Herod Agrippa I.
Etymologically, the word derives from tetras, meaning a group or set of four, with the suffix -ion indicating a concrete object or unit. This structure parallels other Greek terms for small divisions, such as a squad or detachment. The sources note that Philo also used this term to describe similar military groupings, confirming its standard usage in Hellenistic administrative and military contexts.
Its singular occurrence highlights the precision of Luke’s historical detail. By specifying a tetradion rather than a general guard, the text emphasizes the tight security surrounding Peter, underscoring the severity of his situation before his miraculous release.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tetradion describes a small military unit of four soldiers. In Acts 12:4, it highlights the intense security placed around Peter after his arrest by King Herod. Luke uses this precise term to show that Peter was guarded by multiple squads, rotating shifts to ensure he could not escape. This detail underscores the high stakes of the situation and the severity of the threat facing the early church.
Yet, human chains cannot hold those whom God protects. The tight security described by tetradion serves as a backdrop for divine intervention. It reminds us that no matter how strong the opposition or how secure the prison, God’s purposes prevail. This historical precision invites us to trust in God’s power over any circumstance that seems impossible.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sets of four1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τετραδίοις1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 12:4
When he had arrested him, he put him in prison and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.
The term specifies the exact military structure used to guard Peter, emphasizing the rigorous and rotating nature of the security detail intended to prevent escape.