Original Word: תְּלָת
Part of Speech: Noun
Transliteration: tlath
Pronunciation: teh-LAHT or teh-lah-TAH
Phonetic Spelling: (tel-awth')
KJV: third, three
NASB: three, third
Word Origin: [corresponding to H7969 (שָׁלוֹשׁ שָׁלוֹשׁ שְׁלוֹשָׁה שְׁלוֹשָׁה - three)]

1. three or third

third, three

(Aramaic) masculine tlathah (Aramaic) {tel-aw-thaw'}; or tlatha (Aramaic) {tel-aw-thaw'}; corresponding to shalowsh; three or third -- third, three.

see HEBREW shalowsh

Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to shalosh
Definition
three
NASB Translation
third (1), three (10).

תְּלָת noun masculine, תְּלָתָה feminine, three (ᵑ7 Syriac; Biblical Hebrew שָׁלשָֽׁ, שִׁלשָׁה); — masculine תְּלָת before feminine plural noun Daniel 7:5; feminine noun omitted Daniel 7:8; Daniel 7:20; feminine תְּלָתָה before masculine plural noun Dan <BIBLE/CHAPTER_VERSE:Daniel 7:24; after, Daniel 3:24; Daniel 6:3; Daniel 6:11; Daniel 6:14, so אָ֯ Ezra 6:4; יוֺם תְּלָתָה Ezra 6:15 third day; suffix תְּלָתֵּהוֺן (K^{§ 65, Anm,1}) Daniel 3:23 the three of them.

Meaning and Scope

In the Aramaic portions of Ezra and Daniel, the term conveys the concept of “three” or “third.” More than a simple numeral, it repeatedly serves as a literary signal of completeness, confirmation, and divine orchestration within redemptive history.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Ezra 6:4
2. Ezra 6:15
3. Daniel 3:23
4. Daniel 3:24
5. Daniel 6:2
6. Daniel 6:10
7. Daniel 6:13
8. Daniel 7:5
9. Daniel 7:8
10. Daniel 7:20
11. Daniel 7:24

Thematic Significance of “Three”

• Completeness and Stability – A threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12), and a triple-layer foundation in Ezra 6:4 echoes this idea.
• Legal Confirmation – “By the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter shall be established” (Deuteronomy 19:15). The repeated appearance of “three” in Daniel underlines the certainty of God’s verdicts.
• Foreshadowing of Resurrection and Trinitarian Revelation – The third-day motif anticipates Christ’s resurrection, and the number’s persistence prepares readers for the full New Testament unveiling of Father, Son, and Spirit.

The Temple Foundation and Divine Order (Ezra 6:4; 6:15)

“Three layers of large stones and one of timbers” (Ezra 6:4) describe the divinely sanctioned blueprint for Zerubbabel’s temple. The triple stone courses emphasize permanence while the single timber layer hints at humanity’s cooperative role. Completion in Adar, the twelfth month, links the third course to a finished, sanctified structure, modeling orderly worship for future generations.

Deliverance from the Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3:23-24)

“Three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell, bound, into the blazing fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar rose up in astonishment… ‘Did we not cast three men bound into the fire? … I see four men’ ” (Daniel 3:23-25). The count of three sets the stage for the revelation of a fourth, pre-incarnate divine presence. The pattern underscores that human extremity becomes God’s opportunity to manifest Himself.

Administration, Prayer, and Integrity (Daniel 6:2, 10, 13)

Nebuchadnezzar’s empire had been marked by the triad of friends; Darius institutes “three administrators over the kingdom, one of whom was Daniel” (6:2). Daniel’s thrice-daily prayer rhythm (6:10, 13) testifies that consistent devotion outlasts political intrigue. The number reinforces Daniel’s completeness of commitment—morning, noon, and night.

Prophetic Imagery in Daniel’s Visions (Daniel 7:5, 8, 20, 24)

• Three ribs in the bear’s mouth (7:5) signify devoured kingdoms, a complete conquest.
• The little horn uproots “three of the first horns” (7:8, 20), marking the fullness of its initial rebellion.
• A final ten-king confederation emerges, yet “three kings” are subdued (7:24), displaying divine limits set on human empire.

Every triple element in the vision operates as a prophetic safeguard: evil powers rise, but their boundaries are foreknown and fixed by God.

Pastoral and Missional Implications

1. Worship Architecture – Churches and ministries should reflect God-given order; excellence in physical and liturgical foundations honors Him.
2. Courage under Persecution – Like the three Hebrews, believers can expect Christ’s presence amid trials.
3. Discipline of Prayer – A structured, thrice-daily pattern cultivates resilience and witness.
4. Eschatological Confidence – The prophetic “threes” in Daniel assure the Church that God governs the rise and fall of nations.

Conclusion

The recurring appearance of תְּלָת in Ezra and Daniel weaves a theological tapestry of completeness, confirmation, and covenant faithfulness. Whether in stones, men, prayers, or horns, the number three magnifies the sovereignty of God who perfects His purposes and secures His people.

וּתְלָ֗ת וּתְלָ֥ת וּתְלָתָ֥ה ותלת ותלתה תְּלָ֑ת תְּלָ֣תֵּה֔וֹן תְּלָתָ֔א תְּלָתָ֖ה תְּלָתָ֜א תְּלָתָ֨ה תְּלָתָה֙ תלת תלתא תלתה תלתהון tə·lā·ṯā tə·lā·ṯāh tə·lāṯ tə·lāt·tê·hō·wn teLat təlāṯ telaTa təlāṯā telaTah təlāṯāh teLatteHon təlāttêhōwn ū·ṯə·lā·ṯāh ū·ṯə·lāṯ uteLat ūṯəlāṯ utelaTah ūṯəlāṯāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts