What does δεύτερος · τρίτος · φυλακή mean in the Bible?
δεύτερος · τρίτος · φυλακή is a Greek phrase meaning "second or third watch of the night".
Greek · G1208, G5154, G5438
δευτέρᾳ ... τρίτῃ φυλακῇ
(Ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb) · third · prison/watch: prison
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
δεύτερος G1208 (ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb)
Pronunciation deúteros
Second in sequence or occurrence; can denote rank, time, or position within a series.
Open lexicon entry →
τρίτος G5154 third
Pronunciation trítos
Marks chronological sequence or division; in Revelation, often quantifies catastrophic judgment affecting one-third of creation.
Open lexicon entry →
φυλακή G5438 prison/watch: prison
Pronunciation phylakḗ
Prison, sentries, or a night watch—context determines which meaning, not the word itself
Open lexicon entry →
What does δευτέρᾳ ... τρίτῃ φυλακῇ (deutera ... tritē phylakē) mean in the Bible?
δεύτερος · τρίτος · φυλακή is a Greek phrase meaning "second or third watch of the night".
Full entry for δευτέρᾳ ... τρίτῃ φυλακῇ (G1208, G5154, G5438) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for G1208, G5154, G5438?
G1208, G5154, G5438 is connected to 44 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Greek phrase. second or third watch of the night
Source Gloss
second or third watch of the night
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 10 case and number patterns. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Form patterns 10 Aligned forms 44 Case pattern Nominative (16) Number pattern Singular (38)
Nominative · Singular · Masculine Matt 22:26 · Mark 12:21 · Luke 19:18 · Luke 20:30 · 1 Cor 15:47 · Rev 8:8 · Rev 14:8 · Rev 16:3 · Rev 20:6 · Rev 20:14 · Rev 21:8 · Rev 21:19 12×
Nominative · Singular · Feminine Matt 22:39 · Mark 12:31 · Rev 11:14 3×
Nominative · Singular · Neuter Rev 4:7 1×
Genitive · Singular · Neuter Matt 26:42 · Mark 14:72 · John 9:24 · Acts 10:15 · Acts 11:9 · Rev 6:3 6×
Genitive · Singular · Masculine Heb 9:28 · Rev 2:11 2×
Genitive · Singular · Feminine Heb 8:7 1×
Dative · Singular · Masculine Matt 21:30 · Acts 13:33 2×
Dative · Singular · Feminine Luke 12:38 1×
Dative · Singular · Neuter Acts 7:13 1×
Accusative · Singular · Neuter John 3:4 · John 4:54 · John 21:16 · 1 Cor 12:28 · 2 Cor 13:2 · Heb 9:3 · Heb 10:9 · Jude 1:5 · Rev 19:3 9×
Word Origins
δευτέρᾳ ... τρίτῃ φυλακῇ is built from this root:
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain