Strong’s G5069: A neuter noun meaning “a squad of four soldiers,” from τετρα- (four). Used in Acts to describe Roman guard units assigned to Peter’s imprisonment, highlighting the intensity of his captivity and the miraculous nature of his deliverance.

U – Unveiling the Word

τετράδιον represents a Roman military unit of four soldiers assigned to guard duty. In Acts 12:4, it describes the fourfold guard watching Peter in prison, emphasizing the seemingly inescapable nature of his confinement. This term appears in a pivotal moment demonstrating God’s power to deliver His servants from impossible situations. The early church saw in this detail both the severity of persecution and the triumph of divine intervention. Today, it reminds believers that no human security system can thwart God’s purposes for His people.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τετράδιον, tetradion, tet-rad’-ee-on
• Phonetic Guide: tet (as in “tent”) + rad + ee + on
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• τετρα- (tetra-) – prefix meaning “four”
• -ιον (-ion) – diminutive suffix
• From τέσσαρες (tessares) – four

D – Defining Meanings

• Squad of four soldiers
• Quaternion
• Four-man watch unit

For compound words:

• τετρα- indicates the number four
• -ιον forms the diminutive unit designation

Translation Options:

• “squad of four” – emphasizes military unit
• “quaternion” – traditional translation
• “four-man guard” – modern equivalent

E – Exploring Similar Words

• τέσσαρες (tessares) – four See G5064
• φρουρά (phroura) – guard See G5432
• κουστωδία (koustodia) – guard See G2892

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Nominal Features:

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

Examples:

• Nominative: τετράδιον
• Genitive: τετραδίου
• Dative: τετραδίῳ
• Accusative: τετράδιον

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical sources illuminate τετράδιον’s significance. BDAG emphasizes its military technical meaning. Thayer’s notes its specific reference to Roman guard units. LSJ documents its use in military contexts. Vine’s connects it to Roman security procedures. Strong’s emphasizes its derivation from the number four. Moulton and Milligan cite examples from military papyri. The combined evidence suggests τετράδιον was a precise technical term for a specific Roman guard arrangement.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“When he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers [τετραδίοις] to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people.” Acts 12:4

Additional References:
This word appears only once in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τετράδιον powerfully illustrates both human attempts to restrict God’s work and the futility of such efforts. In describing Peter’s imprisonment, it emphasizes the seemingly impregnable nature of his confinement, making his deliverance even more miraculous. This word proclaims that no human security system, no matter how thorough, can prevent God from accomplishing His purposes. It encourages believers that the Messiah’s power transcends all earthly barriers.

D – Did You Know?

• Roman guard units worked in six-hour shifts
• Each τετράδιον had two soldiers chained to the prisoner and two watching
• The term appears in military documents across the Roman Empire

Strong’s G5069: A neuter noun meaning “a squad of four soldiers,” from τετρα- (four). Used in Acts to describe Roman guard units assigned to Peter’s imprisonment, highlighting the intensity of his captivity and the miraculous nature of his deliverance.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: soldiers, guards, imprisonment, Peter, deliverance, Roman-military, Acts, miracle, prison, security​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​