WG: Third / Ordinal Numbers¶
Overview¶
The NT ordinal number cluster centers on τρίτος (third, G5154) and its sequential siblings. Beyond simple enumeration, these ordinals carry theological weight: the third day is the NT's primary resurrection formula, while the third part drives Revelation's fractional-judgment imagery.
Word Group Members¶
| Strong's | Word | Transliteration | POS | Occurrences | Role in Concept | Library Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G4413 | πρῶτος | prōtos | adjective | 99 | First — the beginning term; also used for primacy and preeminence | TODO(need G4413 study) |
| G1208 | δεύτερος | deúteros | adjective | 45 | Second — the middle ordinal; second chance, second death | TODO(need G1208 study) |
| G5154 | τρίτος | trítos | adjective | 49 | Third — primary study word; carries "third day" resurrection formula and "third part" judgment fraction | G5154-tritos.md |
| G5067 | τέταρτος | tétartos | adjective | 9 | Fourth — completes enumerated series; "fourth beast" in Revelation | TODO(need G5067 study) |
| G2250 | ἡμέρα | hēméra | noun | 365 | Day — top collocation with τρίτος (17x); "the third day" is the resurrection-timing phrase | G2250-hemera.md |
| G1453 | ἐγείρω | egeírō | verb | 135 | Raise/arise — co-occurs with τρίτος + ἡμέρα in 7 resurrection prediction verses | TODO(need G1453 study) |
Relationships¶
Shared Roots¶
- πρῶτος (G4413), δεύτερος (G1208), τρίτος (G5154), τέταρτος (G5067) — Greek ordinal sequence, all derived from their respective cardinal roots (G1520 εἷς, G1417 δύο, G5140 τρεῖς, G5064 τέσσαρες)
Hebrew Counterparts (LXX Bridge)¶
| Greek | Primary Hebrew Source | Co-occ | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| G5154 τρίτος | H7992 שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy) | 80 | 31.71 |
| G1208 δεύτερος | H8145 שֵׁנִי (shênîy) | 129 | 33.01 |
| G5067 τέταρτος | H7243 רְבִיעִי (rᵉbîyʻîy) | 46 | 31.01 |
| G4413 πρῶτος | H7223 רִאשׁוֹן (rîʼshôwn) | (primary) | — |
The ordinal pairs map cleanly one-to-one across the Testaments with no semantic drift.
Co-occurrence (same verse)¶
| Word A | Word B | Shared Verses | Typical Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| G5154 τρίτος | G2250 ἡμέρα | 17x | "the third day" — resurrection timeline |
| G5154 τρίτος | G1453 ἐγείρω | 7x | "raised on the third day" — passion predictions |
| G5154 τρίτος | G1208 δεύτερος | 8x | ordinal sequencing: "the second…the third" |
| G5154 τρίτος | G5067 τέταρτος | 3x | Revelation enumeration (beasts, foundations) |
| G1208 δεύτερος | G4413 πρῶτος | 8x | "the first and second" sequential contrast |
| G2250 ἡμέρα | G1453 ἐγείρω | 11x | "raised [on] the day" — broad resurrection cluster |
Roles in the Concept¶
- Sequence marker: All four ordinals enumerate items in a series (seals, angels, foundations, watches, months)
- Third day (resurrection timing): τρίτος + ἡμέρα — the creedal formula for Christ's resurrection (Mat 16:21; 1Co 15:4)
- Third part (fractional judgment): τρίτος neuter — one-third of creation struck in Revelation trumpet/dragon visions (Rev 8:7–12; 9:15, 18; 12:4)
- Third time (climactic repetition): τρίτος as adverb — action done three times marks emphasis or completion (Jhn 21:17; Mat 26:44)
Key Passages Where Multiple Group Words Appear Together¶
- Mat 16:21 [G5154 + G2250 + G1453] — "he must...suffer...and be raised again the third day"
- 1Co 15:4 [G5154 + G2250 + G1453] — "he rose again the third day according to the scriptures"
- Mat 27:64 [G5154 + G4413 + G2250 + G1453] — "make sure the sepulchre until the third day, lest his disciples...say He is risen"
- Rev 4:7 [G5154 + G1208 + G5067 + G4413] — "the first beast...the second beast...the third beast...the fourth beast"
- Rev 8:12 [G5154 + G5067 + G2250] — "the third part of the sun...the fourth angel sounded"
Generated from: gather_word_group_data.py, search_strongs.py Last updated: 2026-04-02