שְׁלִישִׁי (she.li.shi)
she.li.shi
third
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 82 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word shlishi functions primarily as an ordinal number meaning "third." It appears in eighty-two verses, with significant usage in Chronicles and Numbers to mark sequences. The term covers basic counting, such as the third day or year, but also extends to spatial arrangements like a third-story room in Genesis 6:16.
A key nuance lies in its feminine form, shlishith, which often denotes "a third part" rather than just an ordinal position. This distinction appears in legal texts regarding offerings (Numbers 15) and military divisions (2 Samuel 18:2). Translators must decide whether the context calls for a sequence or a fraction.
The word derives from the root shalash, meaning to be third or triple. Its consistent use across historical and poetic books shows how Hebrew relies on simple numerals to structure narratives, from the timing of events to the organization of temple services.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When you encounter the word for 'third' in Scripture, it often marks a moment of waiting that leads to revelation. The Israelites waited three days at Sinai before God spoke with thunder and fire. This pattern reminds us that preparation is not wasted time; it is the space where faith grows steady. In your own life, seasons of waiting may feel long, yet they are part of a divine rhythm rather than random delay.
Similarly, Abraham saw the place of sacrifice on the third day, a moment that tested his trust in God's promise. The number three often signals a turning point or a completion of a process. Whether it refers to a fraction of an offering or a specific day in history, this word grounds us in the reality that God works within time and structure.
Understanding these details helps us see how carefully Scripture is written. Each mention of 'third' invites us to look for the significance of timing in our own journey. It encourages patience and trust, knowing that God's plans unfold with purpose and precision.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 82 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- <the>/ third50×
- the/ third15×
- and/ the/ third [part]5×
- third3×
- the/ third [part]3×
- and/ the/ third3×
- Shelishiyah2×
- <the> third of2×
- the/ thirty1×
- at the/ third [time]1×
- and/ third [decks]1×
- and/ third1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/שְּׁלִישִׁ֔י14×
- הַ/שְּׁלִישִׁ֑י10×
- הַ/שְּׁלִישִׁ֗י5×
- הַ/שְּׁלִישִׁי֙4×
- הַ/שְּׁלִישִׁ֜י4×
- הַ/שְּׁלִשִׁי֙3×
- הַ/שְּׁלִישִֽׁי\׃3×
- הַ/שְּׁלִישִׁ֛י3×
- וּ/שְׁלִשִׁ֖ים2×
- וְ/הַ/שְּׁלִשִׁית֙2×
- וְ/הַ/שְּׁלִשִׁ֖ית2×
- הַ/שְּׁלִשִֽׁי\׃2×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 19:16
On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled.
This verse marks the climax of the preparation period, where the third day brings the visible presence of God to Sinai.
-
Genesis 22:4
On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place far off.
Abraham's sighting on the third day highlights a moment of intense anticipation before the fulfillment of a difficult command.
-
Numbers 19:12
He shall purify himself with water on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean; but if he doesn’t purify himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean.
The requirement for purification on the third day shows how specific timing was essential for ritual cleanliness and restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word shlishi mean?
How is shlishi different from shlishith?
Why is the number three significant in these verses?
Every Occurrence (82 verses across 19 books)
Genesis 8 verses
There was evening and there was morning, a third day.
Genesis 2:14The name of the third river is Hiddekel. This is the one which flows in front of Assyria. The fourth river is the…
Genesis 6:16You shall make a roof in the ship, and you shall finish it to a cubit upward. You shall set the door of the ship in its…
Genesis 22:4On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place far off.
Genesis 31:22Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled.
Genesis 34:25On the third day, when they were sore, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword,…
Genesis 40:20On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the…
Genesis 42:18Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this, and live, for I fear God.