"four hundred, Acts 5:36; 7:6; 13:20; Gal. 3:17*"
Definition and meaning
four hundred, Acts 5:36; 7:6; 13:20; Gal. 3:17*
In the original Greek the word is written: τετρακόσιοι
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of tetrakosioi (G5071) across the King James Bible.
For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
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Common questions
Strong's G5071 (tetrakosioi) is a Greek word that means: four hundred, Acts 5:36; 7:6; 13:20; Gal. 3:17* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word tetrakosioi (G5071) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5071 is tetrakosioi, a Greek word defined as: four hundred, Acts 5:36; 7:6; 13:20; Gal. 3:17*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
tetrakosioi is a Greek word found in the New Testament.