τεσσαρακονταετής (G5063) — Greek Lexicon

τεσσαρακονταετής

tessarakontaetḗs

G5063 attributive adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

of forty years old; describing someone or something that has existed for a period of forty years. The core sense is 'being forty years in age or duration'; also used attributively to refer to the length of time (forty years) that a person or thing has existed or functioned.

Semantic Range

being forty years old, being forty years in duration, of forty years, for forty years

Root / Etymology

Compound formed from τεσσαράκοντα ('forty') and ἔτος ('year'), joined by the linking vowel –η–; thus, literally 'forty-years-old.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

τεσσαρακονταετής is a non-comparative numeral adjective rare in classical Greek but found in Hellenistic and Koine sources, including the New Testament (Acts 4:22, 13:21). It strictly designates a duration of forty years, either as the age of a person or the span of time since an event. Its usage is straightforward and descriptive, lacking broader metaphorical or idiomatic senses. Unlike some age-related adjectives in Greek that can acquire figurative meaning (e.g., ἡβῶν for maturity), τεσσαρακονταετής denotes literal chronology. In Septuagint and New Testament contexts, it typically marks a significant chronological milestone or the fulfillment of a period (e.g., the age of an individual or the span of a reign). English translations usually render it as 'forty years old' or 'of forty years,' which accurately represent its meaning; there is little evidence for significant semantic change between the Septuagint and New Testament. No distinct theological or symbolic use emerges in the primary sources.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from τεσσαράκοντα and ἔτος; of forty years of age:--(+ full, of) forty years (old).

Root Family

τεσσαρακονταετής (tessarakontaetēs) — forty, year, age

Root τεσσαρακοντα-, ἐτ- forty, year, age

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G5063-01`	τεσσερακονταετῆ	tesserakontaete	`ADJ.A ACC M SG`	forty years	forty-year-old (masculine singular accusative)	forty years	1
`G5063-02`	τεσσερακονταετὴς	tesserakontaetes	`ADJ.A NOM M SG`	forty-year-old	forty-year-old (man)	forty-year-old (man)	1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G5063-02`	Acts 7:23	τεσσερακονταετὴς	tesserakontaetes	`ADJ.A NOM M SG`	forty-year-old	forty-year-old (man)	forty-year-old (man)
`G5063-01`	Acts 13:18	τεσσερακονταετῆ	tesserakontaete	`ADJ.A ACC M SG`	forty years	forty-year-old (masculine singular accusative)	forty years

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