τριάκοντα

thirty

Definition

The Greek adjective τριάκοντα (triakonta) means 'thirty' and functions as a cardinal number. It is used literally to denote the quantity thirty, such as the thirty pieces of silver paid to Judas (Matthew 26:15) or the thirtyfold yield in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:8). It also appears in chronological contexts, specifying age, as in Luke 3:23 where Jesus begins his ministry at 'about thirty years of age.' The number consistently carries its straightforward numerical value across all its New Testament occurrences.

Biblical Usage

The word is used 11 times in the New Testament, primarily in the Gospels. Its usage is literal and descriptive, appearing in three key contexts: agricultural yields in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:8, 23; Mark 4:8, 20), the price of betrayal (Matthew 26:15; 27:3, 9), and biographical chronology (Luke 3:23). There are no symbolic or metaphorical uses; it serves simply to specify the number thirty.

Etymology

Derived directly from the ancient Greek word τριάκοντα (triakonta), meaning 'thirty.' It is a standard cardinal number in the Greek language, formed from the root for 'three' (τρεῖς, treis) with a suffix denoting tens. Cognates exist in other Indo-European languages, such as Latin 'triginta' and Sanskrit 'triṃśat.'

Semantic Range

In the biblical context, 'thirty' could carry conventional significance. Thirty pieces of silver was the price of a slave (Exodus 21:32), making Judas's payment a profound insult. Reaching thirty years of age was culturally associated with maturity and the full assumption of adult responsibilities, which is why Luke notes Jesus's age at the start of his public ministry. The thirtyfold harvest yield would have been understood as a very good, but not miraculous, return.

τρία (tria, G5140) — The cardinal number 'three,' the root unit. τρίτος (tritos, G5154) — The ordinal number 'third,' indicating sequence or position.

Word Details

Scripture References