τεσσαρεσκαιδέκατος

fourteenth

Definition

The Greek adjective τεσσαρεσκαιδέκατος means 'fourteenth' and is used exclusively in a numerical, ordinal sense to denote position in a sequence. In the New Testament, it specifically marks the fourteenth day of a month or period, as seen in its two occurrences in Acts 27:27 and Acts 27:33, both referring to the fourteenth night of Paul's storm-tossed voyage to Rome. There are no other distinct biblical senses; its meaning is consistently chronological.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both in Acts 27 during the narrative of Paul's sea voyage to Rome. In both instances, it precisely counts the nights of a prolonged storm. In Acts 27:27, it notes the passing of the fourteenth night, and in Acts 27:33, Paul urges the crew to eat, as it is the fourteenth day they have gone without proper sustenance. Its usage is strictly temporal and narrative, serving to mark a significant point in the timeline of this perilous journey.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek cardinal number 'τεσσαρεσκαίδεκα' (tessareskaideka), meaning 'fourteen', combined with the ordinal suffix '-τος' (-tos). It is a compound of 'τέσσαρες' (tessares, four) and 'καί' (kai, and) and 'δέκα' (deka, ten), literally 'four and ten', with the suffix making it 'the fourteenth'. It follows standard Greek ordinal number formation.

Semantic Range

In the ancient world, precise timekeeping over a multi-day storm at sea would have been challenging. Marking the 'fourteenth' day underscores the extreme duration and severity of the ordeal, highlighting divine providence and Paul's role as a divinely assured leader (Acts 27:23-24). The number may also subtly connect to the Passover (the 14th of Nisan), a time of deliverance, though this is not explicit in the text.

τέσσαρες (tessares, G5064) — The cardinal number 'four', not ordinal. δεκάτη (dekatē, G1182) — Means 'tenth' (ordinal), a different position in sequence.

Word Details

Scripture References