ΔΕΚΑΤΕΙΑ (dekateia) — Lexarithmos 346 · Etymology, Meanings

Definition

According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, «δεκατεία» (ἡ) primarily means "the collection of the tenth part" or "the right to collect a tenth," as well as "the tenth part" itself. The word derives from the adjective «δέκατος» (tenth) and denotes a practice deeply rooted in antiquity, both in the Greek world and the Near East.

In Classical Greece, the tithe was not always a systematic tax in the modern sense, but often appeared as a religious offering (ἀπαρχή) to gods or temples, especially after military victories or abundant harvests. For example, the Athenians dedicated a tenth of their spoils to Delphi. However, there were also instances where it functioned as a state levy, such as the tithe imposed by Athens on its allies during the period of the Athenian Hegemony.

The concept of the tithe gained particular significance in the Old Testament (through the Septuagint translation), where it was established as a divine commandment for the maintenance of the Levites and the temple. In the New Testament, although not enforced as law, it is mentioned as a historical practice and an example of generosity, with Jesus criticizing the hypocritical observance of tithing without the essence of justice and love (Matthew 23:23).

Etymology

dekatia ← dekatos ← deka (Ancient Greek root belonging to the oldest stratum of the language)

The word «δεκατεία» derives from the cardinal adjective «δέκατος» ("the tenth") and is formed by adding the suffix -τεία, which often denotes an act, office, or state related to the root (e.g., στρατεία, πολιτεία). The root «δεκα-» is ancient in the Greek language, expressing the concept of the number ten, which formed the basis of the decimal system of numeration and measurement from prehistoric times.

The family of words derived from the root «δεκα-» is rich and includes fundamental numerical terms and their derivatives. From «δέκα» itself comes the ordinal «δέκατος», the noun «δεκάς» (a group of ten), and verbs such as «δεκάζω» (to take or give the tenth) and «δεκατεύω» (to exact or pay a tithe). Additionally, compound words like «δεκαετία» (a period of ten years) and «δεκαπλοῦς» (tenfold) demonstrate the wide application of the root.

Main Meanings

The Tenth Part — One-tenth of anything, whether as a tax or an offering. (E.g., «τὸ δέκατον τῶν καρπῶν»).
Collection of the Tenth — The act of collecting the tenth part, often as a tax or contribution. (E.g., «ἡ δεκατεία τῶν λαφύρων»).
Right to Collect a Tenth — The privilege or authority to demand the tenth part. (E.g., «ἔχειν δεκατείαν»).
Religious Offering — The tenth part offered to gods or sacred places, as a sign of gratitude or piety. (E.g., «δεκατεία τῷ Ἀπόλλωνι»).
Fiscal Contribution — A form of tax imposed by the state, usually on agricultural products. (E.g., «ἡ δεκατεία τῶν σίτων»).
In the Old Testament — The mandatory offering of a tenth of produce and animals to God, for the sustenance of the Levites and the Temple. (Genesis 28:22, Leviticus 27:30-32).
In the New Testament — Reference to the practice of tithing, often in a critical context regarding its hypocritical observance. (Matthew 23:23, Hebrews 7:2).

Word Family

deka- (root of the number ten)

The root "deka-" forms the basis for an extensive family of words in the Greek language, all revolving around the concept of the number ten. As a fundamental number in the decimal system, ten is used not only for simple counting but also for division, grouping, and specifying quantities or periods. From this root, nouns develop that denote groups, adjectives that specify order or multiples, and verbs that describe actions related to the tenth part, such as tithing. Each member of the family retains the core "decimal" concept, adapting it to different grammatical and conceptual contexts.

δέκα οἱ/αἱ/τά · numeral · lex. 30

The basic cardinal number "ten," the original root from which all other words in the family derive. It forms the basis of the decimal system of numeration and measurement in ancient Greece.

δέκατος adjective · lex. 600

The ordinal numeral adjective meaning "the tenth." It is used to denote order or a part, as in "tenth part," which forms the basis for the tithe. Frequently mentioned in texts concerning successions or shares.

δεκάς ἡ · noun · lex. 230

A group of ten people or things, a decade. In ancient Athens, the "decades" referred to the ten tribes or the ten generals. The word emphasizes the concept of grouping based on the number ten.

δεκάτη ἡ · noun · lex. 338

The tenth part, the tithe. Often used as a synonym for «δεκατεία», especially when referring to the share itself that is paid. In the Old Testament, the «δεκάτη» is the established offering.

δεκάζω verb · lex. 837

Meaning "to take the tenth part" or "to give the tenth part." It describes the action of collecting or paying the tithe. Found in ancient legal and economic texts.

δεκατεύω verb · lex. 1535

Meaning "to exact a tithe" or "to pay a tithe." It is a more active verb than «δεκάζω», implying the imposition or fulfillment of the tithe obligation. Also used in the New Testament (e.g., Heb. 7:5).

δεκαετία ἡ · noun · lex. 346

A period of ten years, a decade. This word shows how the root "deka-" is used to define temporal periods, maintaining the concept of the number ten as a unit of measurement. It is isopsephic with «δεκατεία».

δεκαπλοῦς adjective · lex. 860

Meaning "tenfold," "ten times greater." It highlights the multiplicative power of the root "deka-" and is used to denote a quantity that is ten times larger than the original.

Philosophical Journey

The concept of the tithe has a long and complex history, traversing various ancient societies and cultures:

PREHISTORIC ERA

Early Forms of Offering

Archaeological evidence suggests the existence of early forms of offerings or tributes in prehistoric societies, often linked to agriculture and religion.

8th-6th C. BCE

Archaic Greece

Emergence of religious tithes as dedications to gods and sanctuaries, particularly after victories or abundant harvests. Herodotus mentions tithes from war spoils.

5th-4th C. BCE

Classical Greece

The tithe functioned as both a religious offering (e.g., to Delphi) and a political levy, such as the tithe imposed by Athens on its allies (Delian League, Athenian Hegemony).

3rd-1st C. BCE

Hellenistic Period

In Hellenistic kingdoms, the tithe (or similar levies) became a more systematic form of taxation, especially in Ptolemaic Egypt and Seleucid Syria.

3rd-1st C. BCE

Septuagint Translation

The Greek word «δεκατεία» is used to render the Hebrew concept of "ma'aser" in the Old Testament, establishing it as a central religious and economic institution.

1st C. CE

New Testament

References to tithing as an established practice in Jewish society, with Jesus criticizing its formal observance without inner justice (Matthew 23:23).

In Ancient Texts

The tithe, as an institution, appears in various ancient texts, both historical and religious:

«καὶ πᾶν δεκάτην γῆς ἀπὸ τοῦ σπέρματος τῆς γῆς καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ καρποῦ τῶν ξύλων τῷ κυρίῳ ἐστίν, ἅγιον κυρίῳ.»

And every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord's; it is holy to the Lord.

Old Testament, Leviticus 27:30

«οὐαὶ ὑμῖν, γραμματεῖς καὶ Φαρισαῖοι, ὑποκριταί, ὅτι ἀποδεκατοῦτε τὸ ἡδύοσμον καὶ τὸ ἄνηθον καὶ τὸ κύμινον, καὶ ἀφήκατε τὰ βαρύτερα τοῦ νόμου, τὴν κρίσιν καὶ τὸν ἔλεον καὶ τὴν πίστιν· ταῦτα ἔδει ποιῆσαι κἀκεῖνα μὴ ἀφιέναι.»

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

New Testament, Matthew 23:23

«καὶ ὅσοι ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν Λευῒ τὴν ἱερατείαν λαμβάνοντες ἐντολὴν ἔχουσιν ἀποδεκατοῦν τὸν λαὸν κατὰ τὸν νόμον, τοῦτ’ ἔστιν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτῶν, καίπερ ἐξεληλυθότας ἐκ τῆς ὀσφύος Ἀβραάμ.»

And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham.

New Testament, Hebrews 7:5

Lexarithmic Analysis

The lexarithmos of the word ΔΕΚΑΤΕΙΑ is 346, from the sum of its letter values:

Δ = 4

Delta

Ε = 5

Epsilon

Κ = 20

Kappa

Α = 1

Alpha

Τ = 300

Tau

Ε = 5

Epsilon

Ι = 10

Iota

Α = 1

Alpha

= 346

Total

4 + 5 + 20 + 1 + 300 + 5 + 10 + 1 = 346

346 decomposes into 300 (hundreds) + 40 (tens) + 6 (units).

The 18 Methods

Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΔΕΚΑΤΕΙΑ:

Method	Result	Meaning
Isopsephy	346	Base lexarithmos
Decade Numerology	4	3+4+6 = 13 → 1+3 = 4 — Tetrad, the number of stability, order, and foundation, reflecting the systematic nature of the tithe.
Letter Count	8	8 letters — Octad, the number of completeness, abundance, and regeneration, associated with the completion of a cycle (e.g., harvest) and offering.
Cumulative	6/40/300	Units 6 · Tens 40 · Hundreds 300
Odd/Even	Even	Feminine force
Left/Right Hand	Right	Divine (≥100)
Quotient	—	Comparative method
Notarikon	D-E-K-A-T-E-I-A	Just Edict, Key Ancient Tax, Essential In All (interpretive).
Grammatical Groups	4V · 4C	4 vowels (E, A, E, I, A) and 4 consonants (D, K, T) — a balanced structure reflecting order and division.
Palindromes	No
Onomancy	—	Comparative
Sphere of Democritus	—	Divination with lunar day
Zodiacal Isopsephy	Sun ☉ / Aquarius ♒	346 mod 7 = 3 · 346 mod 12 = 10

Isopsephic Words (346)

Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon with the same lexarithmos (346) but a different root, offering an interesting numerical connection:

ἀγορανομία

«ἀγορανομία» (market regulation) is associated with order and regulation, just as the tithe involved systematic collection. Both concepts pertain to management and organization within the city-state.

διάλλαξις

«διάλλαξις» (exchange, reconciliation) implies a process of mutual transfer or conflict resolution. The tithe, as a transfer of goods, can be seen as a form of exchange (e.g., goods for divine favor or state protection).

δοξασία

«δοξασία» (opinion, conjecture) concerns the intellectual sphere of judgment. Its numerical connection to the tithe may suggest the need for sound judgment in the imposition or payment of taxes and offerings.

ἑνιαῖος

«ἑνιαῖος» (unitary, single) brings the concept of unity. The tithe, though a division, often contributed to the unity of a community, either through common religious practices or by supporting a central institution.

περιπλέκεια

«περιπλέκεια» (entanglement, complexity) denotes a complicated situation. The tithe, though simple in its origin, often led to complex legal and economic issues in its application.

ἐμπῖσαι

«ἐμπῖσαι» (to fall upon, to attack) can symbolize the imposition or the inevitable nature of the tithe as an obligation, whether religious or secular, that "falls upon" the citizen or believer.

The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 53 words with lexarithmos 346. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.

Sources & Bibliography

Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon, 9th ed. with revised supplement. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996.
Bauer, W., Arndt, W. F., Gingrich, F. W., Danker, F. W. — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
Herodotus — Histories, Book 1, 165.
Thucydides — History of the Peloponnesian War, Book 3, 19.
Xenophon — Ways and Means, Chapter 4, 15.
Septuagint — Leviticus 27:30-32, Genesis 28:22.
New Testament — Matthew 23:23, Hebrews 7:2-9.
Finley, M. I. — The Ancient Economy. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1999.