Third
Israel as the Third
The most theologically significant use of "third" appears in Isaiah 19:24-25: "In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, 'Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.'" This extraordinary prophecy envisions Israel's two greatest historical enemies — Egypt and Assyria — joining Israel as co-recipients of God's blessing. The number three here represents completeness and universality: God's saving purposes extend to all nations, not just Israel.
The Universal Scope of Isaiah's Vision
Isaiah 19:24 is one of the most remarkable missionary texts in the Old Testament. Egypt represented the power from which Israel was delivered in the exodus. Assyria represented the devastating imperial force that destroyed the northern kingdom. Yet Isaiah foresaw a day when both would worship the God of Israel and receive titles previously reserved for Israel alone: Egypt called "my people" and Assyria called "the work of my hands." Israel's role as "the third" is not diminished but elevated, as the mediating blessing between the world's great powers.
The Third Day
The "third day" is one of the Bible's most important temporal markers. God descended on Mount Sinai on the third day (Exodus 19:11). Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and nights (Jonah 1:17). Hosea prophesied that God would revive His people on the third day (Hosea 6:2). Most significantly, Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:4), a truth that Paul identified as central to the gospel. Jesus Himself predicted His resurrection on the third day multiple times during His ministry (Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19).
The Third Hour
The "third hour" (approximately 9:00 AM in Jewish time-reckoning) marks significant events in the New Testament. Mark 15:25 states that Jesus was crucified at the third hour. In Acts 2:15, Peter explained at Pentecost that the disciples were not drunk since it was only the third hour of the day, when the Holy Spirit fell upon the believers. The third hour thus connects two of the most important events in Christian history: the crucifixion and the outpouring of the Spirit.
The Third Heaven
Paul described being caught up to the "third heaven" in a visionary experience (2 Corinthians 12:2). In ancient Jewish cosmology, the heavens were understood in layers: the atmospheric heaven (sky), the celestial heaven (stars), and the highest heaven where God dwells. Paul's reference to the third heaven identifies it as the very presence of God, which he also calls "Paradise" (2 Corinthians 12:4). This experience profoundly shaped Paul's ministry and his willingness to endure suffering for the gospel.
Patterns of Three in Scripture
The number three pervades Scripture as a marker of divine action and completeness. Abraham's three visitors at Mamre (Genesis 18:2). Three days of darkness in Egypt (Exodus 10:22). Peter's triple denial and triple restoration (John 18:17-27; 21:15-17). The Holy Trinity. The three-fold repetition of "Holy, holy, holy" before God's throne (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). The consistent appearance of "third" in pivotal moments reinforces that God works in patterns of completion, bringing His purposes to their intended fulfillment.
Biblical Context
The word "third" appears in numerous significant contexts: Isaiah 19:24 (Israel as the third with Egypt and Assyria), the third day motif culminating in Christ's resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:4), the third hour of the crucifixion (Mark 15:25) and Pentecost (Acts 2:15), and the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2). The concept threads through both Testaments as a marker of divine completeness and action.
Theological Significance
The number "third" in Scripture often signals the completion of God's work. The third day of resurrection represents God's power over death. Israel as the third with Egypt and Assyria represents the universal scope of God's redemptive plan. The third heaven represents the fullness of God's presence. These usages teach that God's purposes move toward completion and that His blessing extends to all peoples, not just one nation.
Historical Background
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the number three held significance as a number of completeness and divine action. Egyptian and Mesopotamian religious texts frequently use triadic patterns. Jewish time-reckoning divided the day into twelve hours beginning at dawn, making the "third hour" approximately 9:00 AM. The prophetic vision of Egypt and Assyria joining Israel would have been astonishing to Isaiah's original audience, since these nations represented centuries of oppression and threat to Israel's existence.