τρίμηνος
lasting three months
Definition
The adjective τρίμηνος (trimēnos) literally means 'lasting three months' or 'of three months.' It is a straightforward temporal descriptor formed from the Greek words for 'three' and 'month.' In the New Testament, it is used in a single, specific context to describe a period of time. This usage is found in Hebrews 11:23, where it refers to the duration for which Moses' parents hid him after his birth, defying Pharaoh's decree.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Hebrews 11:23. It is used in the context of the 'Hall of Faith' to specify the length of time Moses was hidden by his parents: 'By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months (τρίμηνον) by his parents...' (Hebrews 11:23). Its usage is purely descriptive, marking a specific temporal interval within a narrative of faithful action.
Etymology
τρίμηνος is a compound adjective from the Greek roots τρί- (tri-), meaning 'three,' and μήν (mēn), meaning 'month.' It is constructed similarly to other temporal adjectives in Greek (e.g., ἑξάμηνος, 'of six months'). The word is a straightforward combination without significant semantic development, directly indicating a three-month period.
Semantic Range
While the word itself is a simple time indicator, its sole biblical occurrence in Hebrews 11:23 gives it theological significance. It quantifies an act of faith. The 'three months' represents a period of courageous, sustained trust in God by Moses' parents, Amram and Jochebed, in the face of a murderous edict. Understanding this specific duration enriches the reading by highlighting that their faith was not a momentary impulse but a persevering commitment, which is a key theme in the chapter on faith's endurance.
In the ancient world, the survival of an infant through its first three months was a significant milestone, as infant mortality was high. Hiding a child for this specific period in Exodus 2:2 and referenced in Hebrews 11:23 would have been understood as a substantial and risky undertaking. The three-month mark may have been when an infant was considered less fragile or its cries more noticeable, intensifying the narrative tension and the parents' faith.
χρόνος (chronos, G5550) — A general term for time or a period of time, whereas τρίμηνος specifies a precise three-month duration.
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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