δέκατος
dékatos
G1182 substantive adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Ordinal number indicating 'tenth' in sequence, referring to the position following ninth. Used to denote the tenth item in a series, often with reference to time (such as the tenth day, month, or year), portions (such as a tenth part or fraction), or order (a member ranked tenth).
Semantic Range
tenth in sequence, tenth part, tenth occurrence (date/month/year), one tenth (fraction), titled as tenth in rank or order
Root / Etymology
From the cardinal number δέκα ('ten'), with the ordinal suffix -τος, forming the meaning 'tenth in order'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, δέκατος is the standard ordinal form for 'tenth,' attested from early Greek literature, inscriptions, and papyri. In the Septuagint and New Testament, it frequently appears in dating events (e.g., the tenth day of a month) or in the context of 'tithes' or 'tenths,' where it can refer to a portion or share that is a tenth of the whole (as in Levitical tithe laws). The term does not itself specify the context (time, object, fraction) but is defined by surrounding terms. English translations consistently render it as 'tenth,' but the underlying reference—order, date, or percentage—depends on context. There is no significant semantic shift between classical, LXX, and NT usage.
Translation Consistency
δέκατος is an ordinal meaning ‘tenth’ (position or fraction). The typical and natural English rendering across contexts is the adjective/substantive “tenth,” which matches all P2 occurrences and covers sequence, portion, and rank.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
ordinal from δέκα; tenth:--tenth.
Root Family
δέκατος (dekatos) — ten, tenth, tenth in sequence
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1182-03 |
δεκάτην | dekaten | ADJ.S ACC F SG |
a tenth | tenth | a tenth | 2 |
G1182-01 |
δεκάτας | dekatas | ADJ.S ACC F PL |
tithes | tenth portions | tenth portions | 2 |
G1182-05 |
δέκατος | dekatos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
tenth | tenth | tenth | 1 |
G1182-04 |
δέκατον | dekaton | ADJ.S NOM N SG |
tenth | the tenth | tenth | 1 |
G1182-02 |
δεκάτη | dekate | ADJ.S NOM F SG |
tenth | tenth (feminine singular) | tenth | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1182-02 |
John 1:39 | δεκάτη | dekate | ADJ.S NOM F SG |
tenth | tenth (feminine singular) | tenth |
G1182-03 |
Hebrews 7:2 | δεκάτην | dekaten | ADJ.S ACC F SG |
a tenth | tenth | a tenth |
G1182-03 |
Hebrews 7:4 | δεκάτην | dekaten | ADJ.S ACC F SG |
a tenth | tenth | a tenth |
G1182-01 |
Hebrews 7:8 | δεκάτας | dekatas | ADJ.S ACC F PL |
tithes | tenth portions | tenth portions |
G1182-01 |
Hebrews 7:9 | δεκάτας | dekatas | ADJ.S ACC F PL |
tithes | tenth portions | tenth portions |
G1182-04 |
Revelation 11:13 | δέκατον | dekaton | ADJ.S NOM N SG |
tenth | the tenth | tenth |
G1182-05 |
Revelation 21:20 | δέκατος | dekatos | ADJ.S NOM M SG |
tenth | tenth | tenth |