Spiritual Growth: τριάκοντα (Strong’s G5144: triakonta) Reveals Kingdom Multiplication

Strong’s G5144: A cardinal number meaning “thirty,” triakonta appears in significant contexts throughout Scripture, from harvest yields to prophetic timelines. Its usage often symbolizes spiritual growth, divine preparation, and multiplication in God’s kingdom purposes.

U- Unveiling the Word

The Greek word τριάκοντα (triakonta) carries both literal and symbolic significance in Scripture. As the number thirty, it appears in contexts of spiritual productivity (the parable of the sower), divine preparation (Joseph and Jesus both began their public service at thirty), and prophetic fulfillment (Judas’s thirty pieces of silver). The early church fathers often interpreted τριάκοντα as representing stages of spiritual maturity and fruitfulness. Today, this number continues to remind believers of God’s pattern of preparation, growth, and multiplication in His kingdom work.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τριάκοντα, triakonta, tree-ah-KON-tah
• Detailed pronunciation: τρι (tree) + ά (ah) + κον (kon) + τα (tah)
• Part of Speech: Numeral Adjective

Etymology:

• Root: τρεῖς (treis) meaning “three”
• Suffix: -κοντα (-konta) indicating “tens”
• Combined meaning: “three tens”

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meaning: “thirty”
• Three sets of ten
• Measure of completeness
• Symbol of maturity

For compound words: The word combines treis (three) with the decimal suffix -konta to form “thirty”

Translation Options:

1. “thirty” – Basic cardinal number
2. “thirtyfold” – In multiplication contexts
3. “three tens” – Literal component meaning

E – Exploring Similar Words

τρεῖς (treis) [TRACE] – three – See G5140
τριακόσιοι (triakosioi) [tree-ah-KO-see-oy] – three hundred – See G5145
τριπλόος (triploos) [tree-PLO-os] – triple – See G5149

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

• Indeclinable numeral
• No case changes
• No gender changes
• No number changes

As an indeclinable numeral, τριάκοντα remains unchanged regardless of its grammatical function in the sentence.

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The major lexicons provide rich insight into τριάκοντα’s significance. BDAG emphasizes its use in both literal counting and symbolic contexts. Thayer’s lexicon notes its importance in Biblical chronology and symbolism. LSJ documents its use in classical Greek mathematics and commerce. Vine’s expands on its theological significance, particularly in contexts of spiritual growth and maturity. Strong’s confirms its basic meaning while LEH adds valuable context from Septuagint usage. Moulton and Milligan’s papyrological evidence shows its common use in commercial and administrative documents.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty [τριάκοντα] times what was sown.” Matthew 13:8

Additional References:
Matthew 26:15, Mark 4:8, Luke 3:23, John 6:19

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The number τριάκοντα carries profound significance in God’s kingdom patterns. From the thirty-fold yield in the parable of the sower to Jesus beginning His ministry at thirty, this number speaks of spiritual maturity and fruitfulness. Though it also appears in contexts of betrayal (Judas’s thirty pieces of silver), even there it fulfills prophecy and advances God’s redemptive plan. Through τριάκοντα, we see God’s perfect timing in preparation and His promise of multiplication in kingdom service.

D – Did You Know?

1. Both Joseph and Jesus began their public service at thirty years old
2. Thirty pieces of silver was the price of a slave in ancient times
3. The number appears significantly in both Temple measurements and priestly service ages

Strong’s G5144: A cardinal number meaning “thirty,” triakonta appears in significant contexts throughout Scripture, from harvest yields to prophetic timelines. Its usage often symbolizes spiritual growth, divine preparation, and multiplication in God’s kingdom purposes.

Part of speech: Numeral Adjective

Tags: thirty, numbers, multiplication, growth, maturity, preparation, biblical Greek, New Testament Greek, Koine Greek, numerology, symbolism, prophecy​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​