τρίστεγον

trístegon

G5152 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A third-story space, upper chamber, or platform, specifically the third level above ground in a multi-storied building. The term denotes the area or room situated above two other levels, often referring to an uppermost chamber or loft in domestic, meeting, or storage contexts. By extension, may refer to an upper platform or gallery if such architectural forms are present.

Semantic Range

third-level room, third story, third-floor chamber, uppermost chamber, third roofed area

Root / Etymology

Compound of τρεῖς ('three') and στέγη ('roof, covering, shelter'); τρισ- ('three-') + στέγη ('roof').

Historical & Contextual Notes

τρίστεγον appears in Koine Greek architecture and description, but is a rare term found principally in Acts 20:9 (New Testament), where Luke describes a room (ἐν τῷ τριστέγῳ, 'in the third-story room') where an assembly was held. In wider Greek, multi-story buildings were less common, but by the Hellenistic and Roman periods urban buildings could have several stories. The term emphasizes the vertical arrangement of rooms in a structure. LXX and extra-biblical Greek rarely attest this word. Traditional English translations as 'third loft' or 'third story' capture the physical sense, but may obscure architectural nuances depending on regional styles. Distinct from simply 'upper room' (ὑπερῷον), τρίστεγον specifies the level (third) rather than function. There is no strong evidence for metaphorical or religious uses.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

neuter of a compound of τρεῖς and στέγη as noun; a third roof (story):--third loft.

Root Family

τρίστεγον (tristegon) — three, roof, covering, third-level chamber

Root τρι- + στεγ- three, roof, covering

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5152-01 τριστέγου tristegou N GEN N SG third story of the third-story chamber third-story chamber 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5152-01 Acts 20:9 τριστέγου tristegou N GEN N SG third story of the third-story chamber third-story chamber