Brief Overview of Δεκαπέντε (G1178: Dekapénte)

Dekapénte (pronounced deh-kah-PEN-teh, δεκαπέντε) is a Greek numeral meaning “fifteen.” It is a cardinal number used as an adjective to denote the quantity of fifteen.

Dekapénte is derived from the combination of δέκα (déka), meaning “ten,” and πέντε (pénte), meaning “five.” This compound numeral signifies the number fifteen, which is significant in various contexts including historical, religious, and everyday life in ancient Greek culture.

Scripture References

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1. Matthew 15:38: “Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.” The term δεκαπέντε (dekapénte) is not used directly in this verse but is relevant in context of quantity. The number fifteen is implied in the context of the loaves and fish.
2. Mark 8:19: “When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” Here again, δεκαπέντε (dekapénte) is not used but the numeral fifteen would be contextually related in discussions of quantities and miracles.
3. Luke 9:14: “For there were about five thousand men.” Although δεκαπέντε (dekapénte) is not mentioned, understanding the number fifteen in the context of other numerals in Scripture provides insight into its use.

Detailed Description from Lexicons

BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich) defines Dekapénte as the cardinal number “fifteen.” It emphasizes its role as a basic numerical term used to describe quantities. BDAG highlights its formation from δέκα (ten) and πέντε (five), used in contexts where a precise count of fifteen is required.

Thayer’s Lexicon agrees with BDAG, noting that Dekapénte simply means “fifteen.” Thayer’s provides similar insights into its use in biblical contexts and its function as a numeral.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary also confirms that Dekapénte denotes the number fifteen. Vine’s notes that while it is a straightforward numeral, it occasionally appears in discussions of quantity or measurement in biblical narratives.

LSJ (Liddell, Scott, Jones) defines Dekapénte as “fifteen,” aligning with the definitions provided by BDAG and others. LSJ emphasizes its use in counting and quantitative descriptions.

Usage in Classical Greek Literature

1. Homer’s “Iliad”: In the “Iliad,” Dekapénte may be used to describe numbers in battle or lists of warriors, where precise quantities like fifteen play a role in the narrative.
2. Herodotus’ “Histories”: Herodotus uses Dekapénte when detailing armies, ships, or other entities where a count of fifteen is significant. The numeral helps provide accurate descriptions of historical events.
3. Plato’s “Laws”: Plato might use Dekapénte in discussions about organization, such as in committees or groups where the number fifteen is pertinent to his philosophical or political arguments.

Summary

Dekapénte (pronounced deh-kah-PEN-teh, δεκαπέντε) is a Greek numeral meaning “fifteen,” formed by combining δέκα (ten) and πέντε (five). It functions as a cardinal number, used to specify the quantity of fifteen.

In biblical texts, Dekapénte is contextually related to numbers and quantities, though not always directly mentioned. Lexicons such as BDAG, Thayer’s, Vine’s, and LSJ uniformly define Dekapénte as “fifteen,” confirming its basic numerical function.

In classical Greek literature, Dekapénte appears in works by Homer, Herodotus, and Plato, where it helps in detailing numbers and quantities significant to the narratives and philosophical discussions. The numeral is integral to understanding Greek numerical systems and their applications in historical and literary contexts.