δεκατέσσαρες

Pronunciation Guide: deh-kah-TESS-ah-res

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1180: δεκατέσσαρες (dekatessares) is the Greek cardinal number fourteen, formed by combining “deka” (ten) and “tessares” (four). In biblical contexts, especially in Matthew’s Gospel, this number carries particular significance as a structural element highlighting the divine orchestration of Israel’s history and the coming of the Messiah. Its precision points to God’s sovereignty over time and genealogy.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Cardinal numeral
• Root Components: δέκα (deka, “ten”) + τέσσαρες (tessares, “four”)
• Language Origin: Ancient Greek
• Primary Usage: Used in historical narratives, genealogies, and chronological markers
• Numerical Value: 14

δεκατέσσαρες Morphology:

• δεκατέσσαρες (nominative plural) – fourteen (subject form)
• δεκατεσσάρων (genitive plural) – of fourteen
• δεκατέσσαρσι(ν) (dative plural) – for/with fourteen
• δεκατέσσαρας (accusative plural) – fourteen (object form)

Origin & History

The cardinal number δεκατέσσαρες has its roots in ancient Greek mathematical notation and counting systems. In classical Greek literature, numbers were often written out fully rather than using numeric symbols, especially in formal contexts. Herodotus and Thucydides employed such numerals in their historical accounts to mark periods of time, troop numbers, and distances.

In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures completed around the 2nd century BCE, δεκατέσσαρες appears in various contexts, particularly in genealogical records and festival calculations. In 1 Chronicles, it marks divisions of priestly service. The number fourteen gained additional significance in Jewish thought due to its connection with the numerical value of David’s name in Hebrew (דוד = 4+6+4 = 14), a fact that the Gospel of Matthew later emphasizes in structuring Yeshua’s genealogy.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Cardinal Number: The basic counting number fourteen without ordinal significance
• Symbolic Number: A number with potential theological or typological meaning, especially in Matthew’s genealogy
• Chronological Marker: Used to denote specific time periods or generational groups
• Mathematical Sum: The result of adding ten and four together

δεκατέσσαρες Translation Options:

• Fourteen – The direct numerical equivalent, appropriate in most contexts for straightforward counting
• Fourteen generations – When used in genealogical contexts like Matthew 1, where generations are being counted
• Fourteenth – When context implies an ordinal usage, though strictly speaking this would be δέκατος τέταρτος in proper Greek
• A group of fourteen – When referring collectively to fourteen units grouped together, as in Matthew’s structured genealogy

Biblical Usage

The most significant appearance of δεκατέσσαρες in the New Testament occurs in Matthew 1:17, where it structures the Messiah’s genealogy into three sets of fourteen generations. This tripartite division creates a powerful theological statement about the divinely orchestrated unfolding of redemptive history, culminating in Yeshua the Messiah. Matthew’s intentional arrangement demonstrates God’s sovereign hand in Israel’s history, moving from Abraham through David, through exile, and finally to the Messiah.

Beyond Matthew, δεκατέσσαρες appears in Acts and Paul’s letters as a chronological marker. In Galatians, Paul uses it to emphasize the timeline of his ministry and relationship with other apostles, highlighting the independence yet harmony of his gospel message with the Jerusalem leadership.

• “So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.” Matthew 1:17
• “Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.” Galatians 2:1
• “And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. This took place for fourteen days…” Acts 28:8-11 (describing Paul’s stay in Malta)
• “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven…” 2 Corinthians 12:2

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish numerology, the number fourteen held special significance because it represented the numerical value of David’s name (דוד). Hebrew letters doubled as numbers, and when the consonants of David’s name were calculated (ד=4, ו=6, ד=4), they summed to fourteen. This connection was not coincidental in Matthew’s Gospel, where the author deliberately structures Yeshua’s genealogy around three sets of fourteen generations to emphasize His Davidic lineage and rightful claim to the Messianic throne.

The fourteenth day of the first month (Nisan) was also the prescribed time for the Passover sacrifice according to Torah, marking one of Israel’s most important redemptive moments. This timing foreshadowed Yeshua’s ultimate sacrifice as the Passover Lamb, creating a profound connection between the number fourteen, the Davidic covenant, and redemptive fulfillment in the Messiah. The threefold pattern of fourteen in Matthew thus creates a powerful tapestry connecting Israel’s past (Abraham to David), its period of testing (David to Exile), and its messianic hope (Exile to Yeshua).

Theological Significance

Matthew’s deliberate use of δεκατέσσαρες as an organizing principle for Messiah’s genealogy reveals the divine orchestration behind human history. By structuring the genealogy into three sets of fourteen, Matthew highlights both the Davidic covenant (through the numerical connection to David’s name) and the perfect timing of God’s redemptive plan. This mathematical precision showcases יהוה (Yahweh)’s sovereignty over generations and historical developments, demonstrating that the Messiah’s arrival was neither accidental nor arbitrary, but the culmination of God’s carefully designed plan.

The three sets of fourteen also form a complete picture of Israel’s spiritual journey: the first set (Abraham to David) represents the establishment of the covenant people and kingdom; the second set (David to Exile) represents Israel’s testing and failure; and the third set (Exile to Messiah) represents restoration and fulfillment. Through this structure, Matthew presents Yeshua not only as the heir of David but as the culmination of Israel’s entire history and the answer to humanity’s spiritual exile from God.

Furthermore, the emphasis on fourteen connects Yeshua to the Passover lamb (sacrificed on the fourteenth day), foreshadowing His sacrificial role in establishing a new covenant through His blood. The threefold repetition of fourteen (42 generations total) also suggests completeness and divine perfection in God’s redemptive timeline, with the Messiah appearing at precisely the appointed time.

Personal Application

Understanding the significance of δεκατέσσαρες in Scripture invites us to recognize the intentional patterns in our own lives. Just as God orchestrated fourteen generations three times to bring about His Messiah, He is working through the seemingly random events and genealogical connections of our lives toward His divine purposes. When life appears chaotic or directionless, remember that the God who counted fourteen generations is counting the days of your life with equal care and purpose.

This numerical pattern also reminds us of the reliability of God’s promises. The precision with which יהוה fulfilled His covenant to David—working through fourteen generations, three times over—demonstrates His faithfulness to complete what He begins. Just as the Davidic lineage continued through exile and difficulty before culminating in the Messiah, our own spiritual journey may pass through wilderness seasons that are nevertheless moving us toward God’s appointed fulfillment. The generations counted in Matthew remind us that God’s timing, while sometimes appearing slow to human perspective, is always perfect in its execution.

Related Words

• τεσσαρεσκαιδέκατος (tessareskaidekatos) – “fourteenth” (ordinal form of fourteen); used to designate specific sequential positions or days. This form appears in Acts 27:27 to describe the fourteenth night of a storm at sea. See G5065
• δεκαπέντε (dekapente) – “fifteen”; combines δέκα (ten) and πέντε (five). In Galatians 1:18, Paul stayed with Peter for fifteen days, creating an interesting numerical contrast with the fourteen years mentioned later in Galatians 2:1. See G1178
• δώδεκα (dōdeka) – “twelve”; represents completeness in Scripture, particularly regarding Israel’s twelve tribes and Yeshua’s twelve disciples, forming an important numerical counterpoint to fourteen. See G1427
• ἑπτά (hepta) – “seven”; represents divine perfection and completion in Scripture. When combined with the structural use of fourteen (2×7) in Matthew, it strengthens the theme of divine orchestration. See G2033
• τριάκοντα (triakonta) – “thirty”; used alongside fourteen in describing Yeshua’s age (about thirty) when beginning His ministry (Luke 3:23), creating a numeric frame for His life from genealogy to ministry. See G5144

Did You Know?

• Did you know that Matthew’s use of fourteen generations in his genealogy actually required some selective recording of ancestors? Matthew intentionally structured his genealogy to highlight the pattern of fourteen, omitting some generations mentioned in the Old Testament records. This wasn’t considered dishonest in ancient genealogical writing but was a common literary technique to emphasize theological truths through numerical patterns. The number was more important than exhaustive documentation, showing how Matthew prioritized revealing Yeshua’s fulfillment of Davidic prophecy over creating a complete family tree.
• Did you know that there are exactly fourteen instances in the Torah where יהוה (Yahweh) promises to bring Israel “into the land”? This pattern of fourteen, connected to God’s faithfulness in fulfilling covenant promises, creates a fascinating parallel to Matthew’s emphasis on fourteen generations leading to the Messiah, who would inaugurate a new covenant and bring believers into their spiritual inheritance.
• Did you know that in ancient Jewish wedding customs, the bride was traditionally prepared for fourteen days before the ceremony? This tradition parallels the fourteen generations Matthew outlines, suggesting Israel’s preparation as the bride for her Messianic groom. The threefold repetition of fourteen generations (totaling 42) also corresponds to the 42 stopping places of Israel in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land (Numbers 33), symbolizing the spiritual journey from bondage to covenant fulfillment.

Remember This

The pattern of δεκατέσσαρες in Scripture reminds us that our God is a God of order and purpose, who works through precisely designed patterns across generations to bring about His redemptive plan, revealing that not even a single generation in history’s unfolding is accidental in His sovereign orchestration of salvation.