τέταρτος
fourth
Definition
The Greek adjective τέταρτος means 'fourth' in a sequential or ordinal sense, indicating position in a series. In the New Testament, it is used both literally to denote the fourth item in a sequence, such as the fourth living creature (Revelation 4:7) or the fourth seal (Revelation 6:7-8), and temporally to indicate the fourth watch of the night (Matthew 14:25, Mark 6:48). In Revelation 8:12 and 16:8, it marks the fourth in a series of trumpet and bowl judgments, respectively, emphasizing a structured progression of divine acts.
Biblical Usage
The word is used nine times in the New Testament, with a strong concentration in the book of Revelation (five occurrences), where it consistently denotes the fourth element in a series of visions or judgments (e.g., Revelation 4:7; 6:7-8; 8:12; 16:8). In the Gospels, it appears in the temporal context of the 'fourth watch' of the night (Matthew 14:25, Mark 6:48), a Roman division of the night from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. In Acts 10:30, it is used in Cornelius's vision to specify the time of day ('at the ninth hour' is specified, but the vision occurred on the 'fourth day' of his fasting).
Etymology
Derived from the Greek numeral τέσσαρες (tessares, G5064), meaning 'four.' The ordinal form τέταρτος ('fourth') is built on this root, following a common pattern in Greek for forming ordinal numbers. It is cognate with other Indo-European words for 'four,' such as the Latin 'quartus.'
Semantic Range
While primarily a numerical term, its usage in Revelation contributes to the book's highly structured symbolic framework. The repeated sequences of sevens (seals, trumpets, bowls) use ordinal numbers like 'fourth' to build suspense and demonstrate God's orderly execution of judgment and redemption. Understanding it as part of this literary pattern enriches the reading of apocalyptic literature, highlighting deliberate divine progression rather than random events.
In the ancient Mediterranean world, the night was often divided into watches. The 'fourth watch' (Matthew 14:25, Mark 6:48) referred to the last watch of the night (3 a.m. to 6 a.m.), a time associated with the darkest hour before dawn and, in these passages, Jesus's miraculous intervention. This temporal marker would have been immediately meaningful to a 1st-century audience familiar with Roman or Jewish timekeeping practices.
τέσσαρες (tessares, G5064) — the cardinal number 'four,' whereas τέταρτος is the ordinal 'fourth.'
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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