Holy Coming: τέταρτος (Strong’s G5067: tetartos) Marks Divine Visitation

Strong’s G5067: An ordinal number meaning “fourth,” used significantly in both sequential counting and apocalyptic imagery. In the Gospels, marks the fourth watch when Jesus walks on water; in Revelation, appears in descriptions of divine judgment and heavenly order.

U – Unveiling the Word

τέταρτος carries both chronological and symbolic significance in the New Testament. It first appears in Matthew 14:25 marking the fourth watch when Jesus walks on water, a time of darkness before dawn when divine help seemed most distant. In Revelation, it appears in patterns of four, representing completeness in creation and judgment. The early church recognized both its temporal precision and its symbolic weight in apocalyptic literature. Today, it continues to remind us of God’s precise timing in intervention and His complete authority over creation.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τέταρτος, tetartos, tet’-ar-tos
• Phonetic Guide: tet (as in “tent”) + ar + tos (as in “toss”)
• Part of Speech: Adjective (Ordinal Number)

Etymology:

• From Proto-Indo-European *kʷetwṛtós
• Related to τέσσαρες (tessares) – four
• Standard ordinal form of “four”

D – Defining Meanings

• Fourth
• Fourth in sequence
• Fourth part

Translation Options:

• “fourth” – standard ordinal translation
• “the fourth” – when used substantively
• “a fourth part” – when indicating portion

E – Exploring Similar Words

• τέσσαρες (tessares) – four See G5064
• τεταρταῖος (tetartaios) – fourth day See G5066
• τέταρτον (tetarton) – fourth part [See related usage]

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Adjectival Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine, Neuter
• Declension: First/Second declension

Examples:

• Masculine nominative: τέταρτος
• Feminine nominative: τετάρτη
• Neuter nominative: τέταρτον

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical sources illuminate τέταρτος’s significance. BDAG emphasizes its use in both temporal and apocalyptic contexts. Thayer’s notes its role in systematic ordering. LSJ documents its use in classical Greek for precise sequencing. Vine’s highlights its significance in Revelation’s structure. Strong’s connects it to completion patterns. Moulton and Milligan cite examples from administrative and religious texts. The combined evidence suggests τέταρτος carried both ordinal precision and symbolic meaning in biblical contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“And in the fourth [τετάρτῃ] watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.” Matthew 14:25

Additional References:
Mark 6:48, Revelation 4:7, Revelation 6:7, Revelation 8:12, Revelation 16:8

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

Author: Work	Text
Herodotus: Histories	“He succeeded as the fourth [τέταρτος] king of the dynasty.”
Plato: Republic	“The fourth [τέταρτος] principle governs justice in the state.”
Xenophon: Anabasis	“On the fourth [τέταρτος] day, they reached the river.”

N – Noteworthy Summary

τέταρτος powerfully expresses both God’s perfect timing and His complete authority. From Jesus’ appearance in the fourth watch to the fourth sequences in Revelation, this word reveals divine order and intervention. It reminds us that the Messiah comes at the perfect moment, even when hope seems most distant, and that His authority extends over all creation. The good news includes both His timely intervention in our darkness and His sovereign control over all things.

D – Did You Know?

• The fourth watch (3-6 AM) was considered the darkest before dawn
• In Revelation, fourth sequences often relate to creation and judgment
• Ancient writers used fourth position to indicate completion of a sequence

Strong’s G5067: An ordinal number meaning “fourth,” used significantly in both sequential counting and apocalyptic imagery. In the Gospels, marks the fourth watch when Jesus walks on water; in Revelation, appears in descriptions of divine judgment and heavenly order.

Part of speech: Adjective (Ordinal Number)

Tags: fourth, ordinal-numbers, sequence, Revelation, watch-night, apocalyptic, completion, divine-timing, creation, judgment​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​