Lexical Summary telath: third Original Word: תְּלַת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance third (Aramaic) from tlath; a tertiary rank -- third. see HEBREW tlath NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from telath Definition a third part NASB Translation third (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [תְלַּתּ] noun [masculine] a third part (so ᵑ7 תֻלְּתָֿ, תַּלְתָּא, Syriac  , Nabataean תלת SAC121, Arabic  ,  , Assyrian šulultu (= šuluštu) MeissnSuppl. 95, compare DlWB; see also M88* DrDaniel 5:7); — emphatic תַּלְתָּא adverb as one of three Daniel 5:16,29 (Bev the third day, every three days, see So in M88 *). Topical Lexicon Biblical Usage תְּלַת appears twice, both in Daniel, designating the “third” rank in the kingdom promised to Daniel (Daniel 5:16, 29). The occurrences sit within an Aramaic narrative unit (Daniel 2–7) that stresses God’s sovereignty over Gentile empires. Historical Background: Belshazzar’s Offer of Third Place Belshazzar ruled Babylon as co-regent while his father Nabonidus remained in Tema. As second in command, he could not promise the highest or even the second position; therefore, he offered the “third highest” office. Archaeological finds—especially the Nabonidus Chronicle—confirm this political arrangement and harmonize with Daniel’s account, lending external support to the biblical record. The Significance of Three in Scripture 1. Divine completeness and testimony: “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Within Daniel 5 the “third” rank mirrors this biblical pattern of triadic completeness. The pagan king, though oblivious to deeper symbolism, unwittingly frames God’s servant within a number that often marks divine authentication. Prophetic Echoes The handwriting on the wall announced the imminent fall of Babylon. Daniel’s elevation to third place just hours before the empire’s collapse highlights the transient nature of human power compared to God’s enduring kingdom. The unrivaled sovereignty displayed here anticipates the stone “cut without hands” that will shatter every human empire and fill the whole earth (Daniel 2:34–35, 44). Ministry and Pastoral Reflections • Faithfulness in exile: Daniel’s unwavering obedience positions him for influence even in a hostile culture. Summary תְּלַת, though occurring only twice, anchors a crucial moment in redemptive history. The “third” rank offered to Daniel validates Scripture’s historical reliability, underscores the symbolic richness of the number three, and calls the people of God to steadfast loyalty amid shifting kingdoms. Forms and Transliterations וְתַלְתָּ֥א ותלתא תַּלְתָּ֖א תלתא tal·tā talTa taltā vetalTa wə·ṯal·tā wəṯaltāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 5:16 HEB: עַֽל־ צַוְּארָ֔ךְ וְתַלְתָּ֥א בְמַלְכוּתָ֖א תִּשְׁלַֽט׃ NAS: and you will have authority as the third [ruler] in the kingdom. KJV: thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler INT: about your neck as the third the kingdom will have Daniel 5:29 2 Occurrences |
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