Lexical Summary dekapente: Fifteen Original Word: δεκαπέντε Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fifteen. From deka and pente; ten and five, i.e. Fifteen -- fifteen. see GREEK deka see GREEK pente Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1178: δεκαπέντεδεκαπέντε, for the earlier πεντεκαίδεκα, fifteen: John 11:18; Acts 27:28; Galatians 1:18; (Genesis 7:20 Ald., Complutensian; Exodus 27:15; 1 Macc. 10:40; Polybius 3, 56, 3 var.; Diodorus 2, 13; Plutarch, Dion 38, 1; others; cf. δεκαδύο). Topical Lexicon Numerical Identity and Biblical ContextThe term δεκαπέντε (“fifteen”) designates a whole number frequently used in both Testaments, marking times, measurements, or durations in God’s redemptive storyline. In the Greek New Testament it appears three times, each instance quietly reinforcing God’s sovereignty over geography, providence, and apostolic history. Old Testament Foundations Although the Greek word itself is New-Testament, the number fifteen carries Old-Testament resonance. Two chief festivals begin on the fifteenth day of their respective months: the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6) and the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:34). Both commemorate divine deliverance and covenant fellowship—Israel’s exodus from Egypt and the Lord’s provision in the wilderness. Additionally, Hezekiah’s reprieve of “fifteen years” (2 Kings 20:6) underscores divine extension of life and mercy. These earlier associations frame the New-Testament uses as subtle reminders of God’s faithful ordering of time and events. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. John 11:18—Bethany’s Location “Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia away.” The Evangelist pinpoints Bethany’s proximity to Jerusalem, highlighting the immediacy of witnesses who would attest to Lazarus’s resurrection. The “fifteen stadia” (roughly two miles) becomes a metric of verifiable testimony, strengthening the historical credibility of the miracle that foreshadows Christ’s own resurrection. 2. Acts 27:28—Soundings in the Storm “They took soundings and found the water was twenty fathoms deep, and going a little farther they found it was fifteen fathoms.” Luke, the meticulous historian, includes the sailors’ depth readings as the ship nears land. The intermediate figure of fifteen fathoms records God’s preservative hand over Paul’s voyage to Rome, fulfilling Christ’s earlier promise that the Apostle must testify before Caesar (Acts 23:11). 3. Galatians 1:18—Paul’s Fortnight with Peter “Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and I stayed with him fifteen days.” Paul’s mention of “fifteen days” evidences transparency and accountability in his apostolic call. The brevity of the visit affirms both his independence from, and harmony with, the Jerusalem leadership, safeguarding the gospel’s purity across cultural boundaries. Theological Overtones of Fifteen 1. Covenant Fulfillment The festivals on the fifteenth day celebrate completed redemption. John’s “fifteen stadia” setting for Lazarus’s resurrection and Luke’s “fifteen fathoms” amid deliverance from shipwreck resonate with the same motif: God brings His people safely through death-shadowed valleys. 2. Divine Precision Scripture’s specific numbers underscore God’s detailed governance. The Spirit inspired each writer to memorialize “fifteen,” preserving the integrity of historical record and demonstrating that nothing is incidental in the divine narrative. 3. Testimony and Witness Fifteen stadia allow easy foot-travel for many Jews to witness Lazarus alive. Fifteen days allow Peter and Paul sufficient interaction for mutual recognition without compromising Paul’s distinct mission. Fifteen fathoms alert sailors to landfall, prompting essential action that spares the crew. In every case the number frames a credible, observable witness to God’s works. Applications for Ministry and Discipleship • Encourage believers to trust God’s meticulous care in seemingly minor details; He numbers even stadia, fathoms, and days. Church-Historical Echoes Early Christian writers viewed the fifteen psalms of ascents (Psalms 120–134) as symbolic of the believer’s pilgrimage toward God’s presence, linking them with the fifteen steps of the Jerusalem temple. This layering of symbolism perpetuated the biblical theme: fifteen marks progress from bondage to worship, from peril to praise. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 1178, δεκαπέντε, though numerically modest, threads through Scripture as a quiet testimony to the Lord’s deliberate orchestration of salvation history. Whether measuring a short walk, a life-saving depth, or an apostolic visit, “fifteen” reminds the church that every span of space and time lies in the gracious hands of the covenant-keeping God. Forms and Transliterations δεκαπεντε δεκαπέντε δεκαπήχεσι δεκαπλασίονας dekapente dekapénteLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 11:18 AdjGRK: ἀπὸ σταδίων δεκαπέντε NAS: Jerusalem, about two miles off; KJV: about fifteen furlongs INT: off furlongs fifteen Acts 27:28 Adj Galatians 1:18 Adj |
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