Brief Overview of Δεκαδύο (G1177: Dekadýo)

Dekadýo (pronounced deh-kah-THYOH, δεκαδύο) is a Greek numeral meaning “twelve.” It is a cardinal number and functions as an adjective to describe the quantity of twelve.

Dekadýo derives from the combination of δέκα (déka), meaning “ten,” and δύο (dýo), meaning “two.” This compound word signifies the number twelve, which is a fundamental quantity in various contexts, including measurements, groupings, and symbolic representations in ancient Greek texts.

Scripture References

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1. Matthew 10:2: “Now the names of the twelve (δεκαδύο, dekadýo) apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.” This verse uses Dekadýo to describe the number of apostles.
2. Luke 22:14: “When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve (δεκαδύο, dekadýo) apostles with Him.” Here, Dekadýo is used to denote the number of apostles present with Jesus.
3. Revelation 21:12: “Also she had a great and high wall with twelve (δεκαδύο, dekadýo) gates, and twelve (δεκαδύο, dekadýo) angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve (δεκαδύο, dekadýo) tribes of the children of Israel.” Dekadýo is used in a symbolic context to refer to the number of gates and tribes.

Detailed Description from Lexicons

BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich) defines Dekadýo as the cardinal number “twelve.” It is used to specify a group of twelve, reflecting its role as a fundamental numeral in Greek. BDAG emphasizes its straightforward use as a counting term without additional nuanced meanings.

Thayer’s Lexicon describes Dekadýo similarly, noting that it represents the number twelve. Thayer’s Lexicon confirms its function in enumerating items or groups and provides examples of its use in biblical and classical contexts.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary supports the basic definition of Dekadýo as “twelve,” indicating its role in both literal and symbolic usages. The entry highlights that Dekadýo is used to denote a specific quantity, particularly in scriptural references.

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones) also provides an entry for Dekadýo, defining it as “twelve” and noting its usage in counting and group identification. The LSJ confirms that the term is primarily a numerical designation.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

1. Homer’s “Iliad”: In the epic poem, Dekadýo is used to denote quantities or groups of twelve, such as warriors or ships. The numeral helps convey the scale and organization of groups in battle or assembly.
2. Herodotus’ “Histories”: Herodotus employs Dekadýo when recounting numbers related to armies, ships, or other significant groupings. The term aids in providing detailed accounts of historical events and military arrangements.
3. Plato’s “Republic”: Plato uses Dekadýo in discussions of governance or education, referring to groups of twelve in the context of organizing political or philosophical structures. The numeral plays a role in illustrating Plato’s ideas on societal organization.

Summary

Dekadýo (pronounced deh-kah-THYOH, δεκαδύο) is a Greek numeral meaning “twelve,” formed by combining δέκα (déka, “ten”) and δύο (dýo, “two”). It functions as a cardinal number, used to represent the quantity of twelve in various contexts.

In biblical texts, Dekadýo is used to count apostles, tribes, and other significant groupings, emphasizing its role in enumerating and symbolizing important groups. Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, Vine’s, and LSJ uniformly define Dekadýo as “twelve,” confirming its basic numerical function.

In classical Greek literature, Dekadýo appears in works by Homer, Herodotus, and Plato, where it serves to describe quantities and organize groups. The numeral is integral to understanding Greek numerical systems and their application in various literary and historical contexts.