Lexical Summary tetradion: squad of four soldiers Original Word: τετράδιον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance quaternion, squad of four soldiersNeuter of a presumed derivative of tetras (a tetrad; from tessares); a quaternion or squad (picket) of four Roman soldiers -- quaternion. see GREEK tessares NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tessares Definition a group of four, a quaternion (a guard of four soldiers) NASB Translation squads (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5069: τετράδιοντετράδιον, τετραδιου, τό (τετράς, the number four), a quarternion (τό ἐκ τεσσάρων συνεστος, Suidas): τῶν στρατιωτῶν, a guard consisting of four soldiers (for among the Romans this was the usual number of the guard to which the custody of captives and prisons was intrusted; two soldiers were confined with the prisoner and two kept guard outside), Acts 12:4, where the four quaternions mentioned were on guard one at a time during each of the four watches. (Philo in Flacc. § 13 i. e. Mang. edition vol. ii, p. 533, 25.) Topical Lexicon Introduction Strong’s Greek 5069 (τετραδίοις) appears once in the New Testament, Acts 12:4, where Luke describes the unusually strict military detail assigned to watch the apostle Peter. Although the word itself simply identifies a detachment of four soldiers, its solitary use in Scripture occurs at a turning point in early-church history, illustrating both governmental opposition and divine deliverance. Historical Background: Roman Military Custody Roman practice commonly placed prisoners under continuous surveillance, rotating guards to prevent escape or rescue. A standard night was divided into four watches, and a “squad of four” ensured that at least two soldiers were awake and alert during each watch while the other two rested. By stationing four such squads in succession, authorities maintained an unbroken chain of supervision for a full twenty-four-hour period. Chains were often fastened to a soldier on either side of the prisoner, with the remaining two positioned at the doorway. This arrangement highlights Herod Agrippa’s determination to keep Peter secure until the intended public trial following Passover. Biblical Context in Acts 12 After executing James the brother of John, Herod saw that the act “pleased the Jews” (Acts 12:3). Seeking further approval, he had Peter seized. Luke records: “After seizing him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each, intending to bring him to the people after the Passover” (Acts 12:4). 1. Heightened Security: The quadruple rotation implies extreme caution. Peter had already escaped once from prison (Acts 5:19); therefore, Herod escalated protective measures to forestall any repetition. Theological Significance 1. Sovereignty over Human Structures: Governments may array their finest security, yet God overturns their plans at will. The four-man squad, emblematic of Rome’s disciplined might, proved powerless against divine decree. Related Biblical Themes • Angelic Deliverance: Daniel 6:22; Acts 5:19. Ministry Applications 1. Persistent Prayer: The church “was earnestly praying to God for him” (Acts 12:5). Congregational intercession remains vital when leaders face hostility. Conclusion The single New Testament occurrence of τετραδίοις encapsulates a vivid clash between earthly authority and heavenly power. Four squads of soldiers could not prevent God’s purpose, underscoring the certainty that “the word of God continued to spread and multiply” (Acts 12:24). Forms and Transliterations τετραδιοις τετραδίοις τετράδραχμον τετρακισμύριοι τετριμένος τρήσει tetradiois tetradíoisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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