ordinal from שָׁלוֹשׁ; third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell); third (part, rank, time), three (years old).
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **shᵉlîyshîy**, represented by `{{H7992}}`, is an ordinal number meaning **third**. It appears 108 times across 94 unique verses in the Bible. Its primary function is to denote the third position in a sequence, whether referring to a day, year, rank, or a fractional part. It is used in contexts ranging from genealogies and measurements to significant moments of divine action.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H7992}}` is used in several key temporal contexts. It marks the "third day" as a time of critical events, such as God's descent upon Mount Sinai [[Exodus 19:16]] and the promise of healing to King Hezekiah [[2 Kings 20:5]]. The "third year" is also significant, marking the year of tithing [[Deuteronomy 26:12]] and the time when the word of the LORD came to Elijah to end a drought [[1 Kings 18:1]]. Beyond time, the term denotes a "third part," often in prophecies of judgment where a third part of the people would fall by the sword or be scattered [[Ezekiel 5:12]], while another third would be left and refined [[Zechariah 13:8-9]]. It is also used to establish rank and order, as with Absalom being David's third son [[1 Chronicles 3:2]] and Israel's future position as the third with Egypt and Assyria [[Isaiah 19:24]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide context for sequence and time:
* `{{H8145}}` **shênîy** (second): This ordinal number often appears in sequence with `shᵉlîyshîy` to establish order. For instance, in a prophetic sign, there is a second year of eating what grows of itself, followed by a third year of sowing and reaping [[Isaiah 37:30]].
* `{{H7243}}` **rᵉbîyʻîy** (fourth): As the number following third, it continues sequences in creation and lineage. The third river is named, followed by the fourth [[Genesis 2:14]].
* `{{H7637}}` **shᵉbîyʻîy** (seventh): This number is frequently paired with `shᵉlîyshîy` in purification laws, where purification occurs on the third day and is completed on the seventh day [[Numbers 19:19]].
* `{{H3117}}` **yôwm** (day): This is the most common noun modified by `shᵉlîyshîy`, establishing the "third day" as a recurring and significant timeframe in scripture [[Genesis 22:4]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H7992}}` is most evident in its temporal applications, marking patterns of divine activity.
* **Divine Intervention:** The "third day" frequently marks the culmination of a period of trial or waiting, followed by a decisive divine act. This pattern is seen in God's promise to descend on Sinai [[Exodus 19:11]], the healing of Hezekiah [[2 Kings 20:5]], and the prophetic promise of national revival [[Hosea 6:2]].
* **Ritual Purification:** The third day serves as a critical point in ceremonial cleansing. In laws concerning purification from death, a person is sprinkled on the third day and again on the seventh, highlighting a process that must be completed according to a divinely appointed schedule ([[Numbers 19:12]], [[Numbers 31:19]]).
* **Judgment and Remnant:** The division into a "third part" is used symbolically in prophecy to illustrate both the scope of God's judgment and His preservation of a remnant. Two parts of the land will be cut off, but the third part will be brought through the fire and refined [[Zechariah 13:8-9]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H7992}}` is far more than a simple numerical designator. It functions as a structural marker in genealogies, laws, and prophetic visions, bringing order and sequence to the narrative. It consistently marks a time of significant divine action, particularly on the "third day," establishing a biblical pattern of trial followed by resolution or deliverance [[Hosea 6:2]]. Through its use in describing fractional parts, it also becomes a powerful symbol of both divine judgment and the refining of a faithful remnant [[Zechariah 13:9]]. Thus, **shᵉlîyshîy** illustrates how numbers in scripture can carry significant theological weight, defining patterns of time, order, and God's interaction with humanity.
TRV