πεντεκαιδέκατος

fifteenth

Definition

The Greek adjective πεντεκαιδέκατος means 'fifteenth' in a numerical sequence. It is an ordinal number used to specify position or order, functioning identically to the English 'fifteenth'. In its sole biblical occurrence, it precisely dates a significant historical and theological event. There are no alternative meanings or specialized senses for this word in the New Testament; it consistently denotes the ordinal number fifteen.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 3:1. It appears in a detailed historical preface that anchors John the Baptist's ministry within the timeline of Roman and Jewish rulers: 'In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar...'. Its usage is strictly chronological, providing a precise anchor point for the narrative that follows. The context is historical and biographical, serving to establish the credibility and specific timing of the gospel events.

Etymology

Πεντεκαιδέκατος is a compound ordinal number formed from the Greek words πέντε (pente, 'five'), καί (kai, 'and'), and δέκα (deka, 'ten'), with the ordinal suffix -τος (-tos). It literally means 'five-and-tenth', following the standard Greek pattern for constructing numbers between 13 and 19. It is the ordinal counterpart to the cardinal number πεντεκαίδεκα (pentekaideka, 'fifteen').

Semantic Range

While the word itself is a simple number, its single usage in Luke 3:1 carries theological weight by providing a precise historical timestamp for the beginning of John the Baptist's public ministry. This anchors the gospel narrative in real-world history, affirming the incarnation as an event occurring at a specific moment in time under identifiable rulers. It underscores Luke's careful attention to historical detail, which supports the reliability of his account of Jesus's life and ministry.

In the Greco-Roman world, dating events by the regnal years of emperors and local rulers was a standard historical practice. Luke's use of 'the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar' would have been immediately understandable to his original audience as a precise date (likely AD 28/29). This method of dating lent authority and clarity to the narrative, situating the story of Jesus within the familiar framework of imperial history.

πεντεκαίδεκα (pentekaideka, G4002) — The cardinal number 'fifteen', whereas πεντεκαιδέκατος is the ordinal 'fifteenth'.

Word Details

Scripture References