Shelishiyah is a term found in the Hebrew Bible, often translated as "third" or "third part." It is derived from the Hebrew root "shalosh," meaning "three." The term is used in various contexts, including time, rank, and division, and it appears in several passages throughout the Old Testament.

Biblical References:

1. Military Context:
In the context of military organization, "shelishiyah" can refer to a third division or rank within an army. For example, in 2 Samuel 23:18, Abishai, the brother of Joab, is described as being chief of the "three" (shelishiyah) mighty men, indicating a rank of distinction among David's warriors.

2. Time and Sequence:
The term is also used to denote the third in a sequence of time or events. In Genesis 1:13, the phrase "And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day" uses the concept of "third" to mark the progression of creation.

3. Musical Instruments:
In 1 Chronicles 15:21, the term is used in the context of musical instruments, where certain Levites are assigned to play with harps "according to the Sheminith to lead," which some scholars interpret as a reference to a musical term or a specific type of instrument or tuning.

4. Offerings and Measurements:
The term is also used in the context of offerings and measurements. In Ezekiel 45:14, the "third part" of a hin of oil is mentioned as part of the prescribed offerings, illustrating the use of "shelishiyah" in the context of precise measurements.

Theological Significance:

The use of "shelishiyah" in the Bible often signifies completeness or divine order, as the number three is frequently associated with the divine in biblical numerology. The third day of creation, for instance, is marked by the emergence of dry land and vegetation, symbolizing the establishment of life and order.

In the context of military and leadership, being part of the "shelishiyah" or third rank often denotes a position of honor and responsibility. This is evident in the accounts of David's mighty men, where those in the third rank are recognized for their valor and leadership.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, the concept of dividing groups or items into thirds was a common practice, reflecting a structured approach to organization and hierarchy. This is seen not only in military and religious contexts but also in everyday life, where measurements and divisions were often made in thirds.

Conclusion:

The term "shelishiyah" provides insight into the biblical understanding of order, hierarchy, and completeness. Its various uses across different contexts highlight the multifaceted nature of biblical language and the cultural practices of ancient Israel.5700b. Eglath -- a place near the S. border of Moab
... 5700a, 5700b. Eglath. 5701 . a place near the S. border of Moab.
Transliteration: Eglath Short Definition: Eglath-shelishiyah. Word ...
/hebrew/5700b.htm - 5k

7992. shelishi -- third (an ordinal number)
... number) NASB Word Usage Eglath-shelishiyah* (2), one third (6), third (92),
third part (1), third time (3), thirty (1), three (1). ...
/hebrew/7992.htm - 6k

Shelishiyah (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shelishiyah (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 15:5 My heart
cries out for Moab! Her nobles flee to Zoar, to Eglath ...
/s/shelishiyah.htm - 7k

Eglath-shelishiyah (2 Occurrences)
Eglath-shelishiyah. Eglathshelishiyah, Eglath-shelishiyah. Eg'lath-shelish'
iyah . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia EGLATH-SHELISHIYAH. ...
/e/eglath-shelishiyah.htm - 8k

Eg'lath-shelish'iyah (2 Occurrences)
Eg'lath-shelish'iyah. Eglath-shelishiyah, Eg'lath-shelish'iyah. Eglath-shelishi-
yah . ... Eglath-shelishiyah, Eg'lath-shelish'iyah. Eglath-shelishi-yah . ...
/e/eg'lath-shelish'iyah.htm - 7k

Eglathshelishiyah
... EGLATH-SHELISHIYAH. eg'-lath-shel-i-shi'-ya (`eghlath shelishiyah): Found in
Isaiah 15:5 Jeremiah 48:34 (Hebrew) in oracles against Moab. ...
/e/eglathshelishiyah.htm - 7k

Zo'ar (10 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 15:5 My heart is crying out for Moab; her people go in flight to Zoar, and
to Eglath-shelishiyah: for they go up with weeping by the slope of Luhith; on ...
/z/zo'ar.htm - 9k

Eglath (2 Occurrences)
... Her nobles flee to Zoar, to Eglath Shelishiyah; for they go up by the ascent of
Luhith with weeping; for in the way of Horonaim, they raise up a cry of ...
/e/eglath.htm - 7k

Horonaim (5 Occurrences)
... Her nobles flee to Zoar, to Eglath Shelishiyah; for they go up by the ascent of
Luhith with weeping; for in the way of Horonaim, they raise up a cry of ...
/h/horonaim.htm - 9k

Zoar (12 Occurrences)
... Her nobles flee to Zoar, to Eglath Shelishiyah; for they go up by the ascent of
Luhith with weeping; for in the way of Horonaim, they raise up a cry of ...
/z/zoar.htm - 14k

Shell (1 Occurrence)

/s/shell.htm - 9k

Nimrim (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 48:34 From the cry of Heshbon even to Elealeh, even to Jahaz have they
uttered their voice, from Zoar even to Horonaim, to Eglath Shelishiyah: for the ...
/n/nimrim.htm - 8k

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