### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word δεκατέσσαρες (`{{G1180}}`, *dekatéssares*) is a compound cardinal number formed from δέκα (`{{G1176}}`, *deka*), meaning "ten," and τέσσαρες (`{{G5064}}`, *tessares*), meaning "four." Its fundamental and sole meaning is the numerical value "fourteen." There is no inherent symbolic or metaphorical meaning embedded within the word itself; its semantic range is strictly limited to this quantitative designation. Any deeper significance attributed to "fourteen" in biblical texts arises from the specific context in which the number is employed, rather than from the lexical properties of *dekatéssares*.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word δεκατέσσαρες (`{{G1180}}`) appears exclusively in the New Testament, primarily in three distinct contexts, each highlighting its function as a precise chronological or organizational marker.
1. **Matthew 1:17:** "So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations."
* **Context:** This is the most significant occurrence, found within Matthew's genealogy of Jesus Christ. The number "fourteen" is used three times to divide the entire lineage from Abraham to Jesus into three symmetrical periods.
* **Analysis:** Matthew's deliberate structuring of the genealogy into three sets of fourteen generations is highly intentional. This numerical pattern serves as a mnemonic device and likely carries theological weight, emphasizing God's providential ordering of history. Some scholars note that the numerical value of David's name (DVD in Hebrew, דוד) sums to 14 (4+6+4), suggesting a subtle connection to the Davidic lineage and the Messiah's identity as the Son of David. The repetition underscores the climactic arrival of Christ as the culmination of God's redemptive plan throughout history.
2. **Acts 27:27:** "When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land."
* **Context:** This verse describes a specific point in Paul's perilous sea voyage to Rome, immediately preceding his shipwreck on Malta.
* **Analysis:** Here, "fourteenth" functions as a precise chronological detail, indicating the duration of the severe storm that imperiled the ship. Luke, as a meticulous historian, uses this specific number to convey the length and intensity of the ordeal, reinforcing the veracity and detail of his narrative account.
3. **Galatians 2:1:** "Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me."
* **Context:** Paul recounts his personal timeline and ministry journey, specifically referring to a period following his conversion and initial visits to Jerusalem.
* **Analysis:** Paul uses "fourteen years" to establish a significant interval between his previous visit to Jerusalem (mentioned in [[Galatians 1:18]]) and the subsequent one, which likely refers to the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15). This chronological marker is crucial for Paul's argument concerning the independent, divinely revealed nature of his gospel and apostleship, demonstrating that his message was not derived from the Jerusalem apostles but was confirmed by them after a substantial period of independent ministry.
### Related Words & Concepts
As a compound number, δεκατέσσαρες (`{{G1180}}`) is directly related to its constituent parts: δέκα (`{{G1176}}`, "ten") and τέσσαρες (`{{G5064}}`, "four"). More broadly, it belongs to the category of cardinal numbers in the Greek New Testament.
Concepts related to its usage include:
* **Genealogy and Lineage:** Especially prominent in Matthew's Gospel, where the number structures the historical succession leading to Christ.
* **Chronology and Time Measurement:** Its use in Acts and Galatians highlights the specific duration of events or periods, underscoring the historical precision of the biblical narratives.
* **Divine Ordering/Providence:** In Matthew's genealogy, the structured use of "fourteen" suggests a divine hand guiding history towards a predetermined goal.
* **Biblical Numerology/Symbolism:** While *dekatéssares* itself is not inherently symbolic, its repeated use in Matthew invites consideration of the broader biblical practice of attributing significance to numbers (e.g., 7 for completeness, 12 for tribes/apostles). The number 14, being 2 x 7, or connected to David's name, can be seen as representing a double measure of divine completeness or a particular emphasis on the Davidic covenant.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of δεκατέσσαρες (`{{G1180}}`) is not found in the word itself, but rather in the profound implications of its contextual usage, particularly in Matthew's Gospel.
1. **Divine Design and Providence:** Matthew's tripartite division of generations into "fourteen" underscores the belief that God is sovereign over history. The meticulous structuring of the genealogy demonstrates that Jesus's arrival was not accidental but the result of a divinely orchestrated plan spanning centuries. This precision highlights God's faithfulness in bringing His promises to fruition.
2. **Messianic Fulfillment:** By concluding the third set of fourteen generations with "the Christ," Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant and, crucially, the Davidic covenant. The numerical symmetry points to Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, the heir to David's throne, whose coming marks the culmination of God's redemptive work.
3. **Historical Reliability:** In Acts and Galatians, the use of "fourteen" as a precise chronological marker contributes to the overall historical reliability of the New Testament accounts. Luke's and Paul's attention to such details grounds the theological narratives in verifiable historical time, reinforcing the factual basis of the events and the trustworthiness of the inspired Word.
### Summary
The Greek word δεκατέσσαρες (`{{G1180}}`, *dekatéssares*) simply means "fourteen." While its core meaning is purely numerical, its strategic deployment in the New Testament carries significant theological weight. Most notably, in [[Matthew 1:17]], its repeated use to structure Jesus's genealogy into three groups of "fourteen" generations highlights God's meticulous providential ordering of salvation history, culminating in the climactic advent of the Messiah. This deliberate pattern underscores the divine design behind Christ's coming and His identity as the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. In [[Acts 27:27]] and [[Galatians 2:1]], "fourteen" functions as a precise chronological indicator, lending historical accuracy and verisimilitude to the narratives of Paul's ministry and journey, thereby reinforcing the trustworthiness of the biblical record. Thus, while lexically straightforward, the contextual use of δεκατέσσαρες powerfully communicates divine intentionality and the historical reality of God's redemptive work.
TRV