Lexical Summary tristegon: Third story, third floor Original Word: τριστέγον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance third story Neuter of a compound of treis and stege as noun; a third roof (story) -- third loft. see GREEK treis see GREEK stege NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom tristegos (of three stories); from treis and stegé Definition the third story NASB Translation third floor (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5152: τρίστεγοςτρίστεγος, τρίστεγον (τρεῖς and στέγη), hating three roofs or stories: Dionysius Halicarnassus 3, 68; (Josephus, b. j. 5, 5, 5); τό τρίστεγον, the third story, Acts 20:9 (Genesis 6:16 Symm.); ἡ τριστεγη, Artemidorus Daldianus, oneir. 4, 46. Topical Lexicon Definition and Background Strong’s Greek 5152 names the “third story” or “uppermost room” of a building. In the ancient Mediterranean world, homes and insula-style tenements often had three tiers: the ground level for animals or commercial use, a middle level for family living, and a third level for storage, guest lodging, or gatherings. This highest chamber enjoyed the cooling breeze, but its small windows and narrow staircases made it potentially hazardous, especially at night when lamps consumed limited oxygen. Biblical Context Acts 20:9 records the single New Testament instance. During Paul’s farewell visit to Troas, believers met “in the upstairs room” (verse 8) on the first day of the week. “A young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, was overcome by deep sleep, and fell down from the third account and was picked up dead” (Acts 20:9). Paul immediately descended, embraced him, and God restored his life (20:10–12). Architectural Setting in the First Century • Urban homes in Asia Minor commonly rose three accounts to maximize cramped real estate. Theological and Pastoral Implications 1. Divine power authenticates apostolic ministry. Paul’s raising of Eutychus parallels Elijah (1 Kings 17:19–23) and Elisha (2 Kings 4:32–36), highlighting continuity in God’s redemptive acts. Practical Applications for Ministry • Meeting Space: Modern house-church movements can draw from Acts 20 the legitimacy of informal, upper-room-style gatherings. Related Scriptures and Themes Mark 14:15; Acts 1:13 – upper rooms as meeting places 2 Kings 4:32–36 – resurrection in an upper chamber Romans 13:11; Ephesians 5:14 – waking from sleep 1 Corinthians 14:26, 40 – orderly yet Spirit-filled gatherings Forms and Transliterations τριστεγου τριστέγου tristegou tristégouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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