תְּלַת
𐤕𐤋𐤕
tᵉlath
H8531 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Ordinal number indicating sequence: 'third'. Used to denote the position in a series, especially in listing items, persons, or time periods (e.g., third year, third day, third in rank). While the primary lexical meaning in Biblical Aramaic is 'third', it may also function attributively (e.g., a third part, the third group). Secondary senses such as 'a third portion' or 'thirdly' occur by extension, but always retain the sense of being in the third position within an ordered series.
Semantic Range
third in order, third year, third part, third person in a sequence, third group
Root / Etymology
Aramaic form, derived from the root תלת which denotes the numeral three. This word is the ordinal form (i.e., 'third') corresponding to the cardinal numeral תְּלָת (three). The root itself reflects the notion of the number three and its derivatives indicate ordinal or fractional extensions. Hebrew equivalent: שְׁלִישִׁי (shelishi).
Historical & Contextual Notes
תְּלַת occurs in Biblical Aramaic passages (notably Daniel and Ezra) in contexts where ordering or enumeration occurs (e.g., Daniel 3:23). Its usage is parallel to Hebrew ordinal number forms but reflects the characteristic structure of Aramaic. The sense is always strictly ordinal in nature, marking place or division as 'third'. There is no evidence in the Hebrew Bible for this term being used metaphorically or idiomatically. Unlike the Hebrew שְׁלִישִׁי, which can sometimes function almost as a technical or positional term, תְּלַת in Aramaic texts consistently refers to sequence or portion. English translations typically render this word as 'third', which accurately reflects its meaning and range in biblical texts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) from תְּלָת; a tertiary rank; third.
Bantu Hebrew
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תלת (t-l-t) — three, to be three, to denote the number three
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8531-01 |
תַּלְתָּ֖א | taleta | AAobsa |
third | third | 1 |
H8531-02 |
וְ/תַלְתָּ֥א | vetaleta | AC/Aobsa |
and third | and third | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8531-02 |
Daniel 5:16 | וְ/תַלְתָּ֥א | vetaleta | AC/Aobsa |
and third | and third |
H8531-01 |
Daniel 5:29 | תַּלְתָּ֖א | taleta | AAobsa |
third | third |