The Greek word tetartaîos, represented by G5066, pertains to the fourth day. It appears 1 time across 1 unique verse in the Bible. Its singular use marks a specific and critical point in time, emphasizing the duration of a condition to highlight the significance of the event it describes.
In the biblical narrative, G5066 is used to establish the dire circumstances surrounding the death of Lazarus. When Jesus G2424 commands the stone to be taken away from the tomb, Martha G3136, the sister G79 of the deceased, objects. She states that her brother has been dead four days John 11:39, underscoring the perceived finality of the situation and the onset of physical decay.
Several related words from this context clarify the gravity of the situation:
- G2348 thnḗskō (to die): This word describes the state of Lazarus, the one who was dead John 11:39. Martha uses the same root to express her belief that if Jesus had been present earlier, her brother would not have died John 11:21.
- G2235 ḗdē (by this time): Martha uses this adverb to stress that too much time has passed, saying "by this time he stinketh" John 11:39. It signifies a state that is already well-established.
- G3605 ózō (to scent (usually an ill "odor")): This word describes the direct physical consequence of being dead for four days. Martha's statement that Lazarus stinketh John 11:39 is a blunt confirmation of death and decay.
The theological weight of G5066 is concentrated in its single appearance, providing a crucial detail that magnifies the subsequent miracle.
- Establishing the Reality of Death: The mention of four days is not incidental. It serves to establish the irreversible reality of Lazarus's death from a human perspective, as confirmed by Martha's protest that he already stinks John 11:39.
- Demonstrating Divine Authority: By raising a man who had been dead for four days, Jesus G2424 demonstrates his absolute power as Lord G2962 over death and decay. The specific time frame eliminates any doubt about the miracle's authenticity.
- Setting the Stage for a Sign: The detail provided by G5066 ensures the miracle is understood not as a mere resuscitation, but as a profound sign of Jesus's identity and power over the most definitive human endpoint.
In summary, G5066 is a precise temporal marker with significant narrative and theological purpose. Though used only once, tetartaîos is essential to the account in John 11. It establishes the certainty and finality of Lazarus's death, thereby amplifying the power of Jesus Christ, who demonstrates that even a body that has been in a tomb for four days is subject to His command.
TRV