Resurrection Power: τεταρταῖος (Strong’s G5066: tetartaios) Defies Mortal Limits

Strong’s G5066: An adjective meaning “of four days’ duration” or “four days dead.” Used uniquely in John’s Gospel regarding Lazarus, emphasizing the reality of death and the magnitude of Jesus’ miraculous power in raising him.

U – Unveiling the Word

τεταρταῖος appears uniquely in John 11:39 to describe Lazarus as being four days dead, a significant detail emphasizing the finality of death in Jewish understanding. According to Jewish tradition, the soul lingered near the body for three days, making the fourth day the point of no return. This word thus underscores the magnitude of Jesus’ miracle, demonstrating His power over even irreversible death. The early church saw in this term proof of Christ’s absolute authority over death. Today, it continues to testify that no situation is beyond the Messiah’s resurrecting power.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: τεταρταῖος, tetartaios, tet-ar-tah’-yos
• Phonetic Guide: tet (as in “tent”) + ar + tah + yos
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• From τέταρτος (tetartos) – fourth
• -αῖος (-aios) – adjectival suffix indicating time
• Derived from root meaning “four”

D – Defining Meanings

• Of four days’ duration
• Four days dead
• On the fourth day

Translation Options:

• “four days dead” – emphasizes duration of death
• “being four days” – indicates elapsed time
• “on the fourth day” – marks temporal position

E – Exploring Similar Words

• τέταρτος (tetartos) – fourth See G5067
• τέσσαρες (tessares) – four See G5064
• δευτεραῖος (deuteraios) – on the second day [See related concept]

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: τεταρταῖος
• Feminine nominative: τεταρταία
• Neuter nominative: τεταρταῖον

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexical sources illuminate τεταρταῖος’s significance. BDAG emphasizes its use in describing elapsed time. Thayer’s notes its specific application to Lazarus’s death. LSJ documents its use in medical texts regarding disease progression. Vine’s connects it to Jewish beliefs about death. Strong’s links it to the number four’s completeness. Moulton and Milligan cite examples from papyri dating events. The combined evidence suggests τεταρταῖος carried special significance in marking a definitive point of no return in death.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“Jesus said, ‘Remove the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to Him, ‘Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days [τεταρταῖος].'” John 11:39

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

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

τεταρταῖος powerfully testifies to the Messiah’s absolute authority over death. Its use in describing Lazarus’s condition emphasizes that this was no mere resuscitation but a true conquest of death beyond human hope. This word proclaims that no situation is beyond Jesus’ power to restore and renew. It encourages believers that the One who called Lazarus forth after four days is the same Lord who promises resurrection life to all who trust in Him.

D – Did You Know?

• Jewish tradition held the fourth day marked irreversible decay
• Medical writers used this term to mark critical days in illness
• It appears in ancient burial documents marking time of entombment

Strong’s G5066: An adjective meaning “of four days’ duration” or “four days dead.” Used uniquely in John’s Gospel regarding Lazarus, emphasizing the reality of death and the magnitude of Jesus’ miraculous power in raising him.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: four-days, Lazarus, resurrection, death, miracle, John, Jesus, time-marking, Jewish-tradition, restoration​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​