The concept of "one-third" appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often symbolizing a significant portion that is set apart for judgment, destruction, or divine action. This fraction is frequently used in prophetic and apocalyptic literature, particularly in the books of the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament's Revelation.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the fraction one-third is notably used in the prophetic book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel 5:2 describes a symbolic act commanded by God, where the prophet is instructed to divide his hair into thirds: "A third you shall burn in the fire in the midst of the city when the days of the siege are completed; then you shall take a third and strike it with the sword all around the city; and a third you shall scatter to the wind, and I will unsheathe a sword behind them." . This act symbolizes the judgment and dispersion that would come upon Jerusalem due to its disobedience.

New Testament References

The Book of Revelation, rich in symbolic and apocalyptic imagery, frequently uses the fraction one-third to describe the extent of divine judgments during the end times. Revelation 8:7-12 details the sounding of the first four trumpets, where one-third of the earth, trees, sea, and celestial bodies are affected: "The first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass." (Revelation 8:7). This pattern continues with the subsequent trumpets, emphasizing the partial yet significant nature of these judgments.

In Revelation 9:15, the release of the four angels bound at the Euphrates River results in the death of one-third of mankind: "So the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind." . This further underscores the severity and specificity of divine judgment during the tribulation period.

Symbolic Interpretation

The use of one-third in these contexts often symbolizes a substantial, yet not total, portion of judgment or destruction. It serves as a warning and a call to repentance, illustrating the seriousness of God's judgments while also leaving room for mercy and redemption. The fraction indicates that while God's judgments are severe, they are measured and purposeful, allowing for the possibility of repentance and restoration for those who heed the warnings.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the recurring theme of one-third in biblical prophecy highlights God's sovereignty and justice. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience, as well as the hope for redemption through repentance. The fraction also reflects the balance between judgment and mercy, a central theme in the biblical narrative of God's dealings with humanity.7992. shelishi -- third (an ordinal number)
... number) NASB Word Usage Eglath-shelishiyah* (2), one third (6), third (92),
third part (1), third time (3), thirty (1), three (1). ...
/hebrew/7992.htm - 6k

The Publisher Has Pleasure in Submitting the Following Extracts ...
... We are not surprised that they are said to be "offered at about one-third of the
usual selling price." Independently altogether of the original matter ...
/.../young/youngs night thoughts/the publisher has pleasure in.htm

The Sins of the Elect and of the Penitent are of Many Kinds, but ...
... these stood apart. And others returned them two-thirds withered and
one-third green; and these stood apart. And others returned ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/similitude eighth the sins of.htm

Concerning "Perfect" and "One".
... does not participate in the one, but as every number participates in an unit, and
one dual and one decade is spoken of, and one half, and one third and tenth ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput xiii concerning perfect and.htm

Concerning "Perfect" and "One. "
... in the world without a share in the One; and, just as all number participates in
unity (and we speak of one couple, one dozen, one half, one third, or one tenth ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter xiii concerning perfect and.htm

The Woman and Dragon.
... woman. The first act of the dragon was by a sweep of its tail to draw down
one-third of the stars, and to cast them to the earth. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the woman and dragon.htm

Second Great Group of Parables.
... [Since the elder brother received a double portion, the younger brother's part would
be only one-third of the property"Deuteronomy 21:17.] And he divided ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xcii second great group of 4.htm

Orthodoxy Sunday.
... I have only given about one-third of the poem. The stanzas are these: Ode 1.
Tropar.1, 2; III.6; IV.1, 2, 3; V.1, 3, 4, 5; VI.1; IX.2, 3, 4, 5. 7,6,7,6. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neale/hymns of the eastern church/orthodoxy sunday.htm

The Spirituality of the Risen Body.
... delivered by rising a spiritual body. It is the slavery of sleep, which takes
up nearly one-third of our lives. We all know by experience ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter vi the spirituality of.htm

Note.
... was superior to the Church. In the time of our Lord at least one-third
of the Sanhedrim consisted of laymen. "When we turn to the ...
/.../ryle/the upper room being a few truths for the times/note 2.htm

The Letter of Majesty, 1603-1609.
... If the Brethren, therefore, were fairly represented, they must have constituted
at this time about one-quarter or one-third of the Protestants in Bohemia.50 ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiii the letter of.htm

One-third (3 Occurrences)
One-third. One-tenth, One-third. Oniares . Multi-Version Concordance
One-third (3 Occurrences). Numbers 15:6 "'Or for ...
/o/one-third.htm - 7k

Sounded (66 Occurrences)
...Onethird of the earth was burnt up, and onethird of the trees were burnt up,
and all green grass was burnt up. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS NIV). ...
/s/sounded.htm - 27k

Stars (64 Occurrences)
... Revelation 8:12 The fourth angel sounded, and onethird of the sun was struck, and
onethird of the moon, and onethird of the stars; so that onethird of them ...
/s/stars.htm - 29k

Darkened (28 Occurrences)
... Revelation 8:12 The fourth angel sounded, and onethird of the sun was struck, and
onethird of the moon, and onethird of the stars; so that onethird of them ...
/d/darkened.htm - 15k

Shine (62 Occurrences)
... Revelation 8:12 The fourth angel sounded, and onethird of the sun was struck, and
onethird of the moon, and onethird of the stars; so that onethird of them ...
/s/shine.htm - 27k

Struck (373 Occurrences)
... Revelation 8:12 The fourth angel sounded, and onethird of the sun was struck, and
onethird of the moon, and onethird of the stars; so that onethird of them ...
/s/struck.htm - 37k

Third (192 Occurrences)
...Onethird of the earth was burnt up, and onethird of the trees were burnt up, and
all green grass was burnt up. ...Onethird of the ships were destroyed. ...
/t/third.htm - 39k

Moon (70 Occurrences)
... Revelation 8:12 The fourth angel sounded, and onethird of the sun was struck, and
onethird of the moon, and onethird of the stars; so that onethird of them ...
/m/moon.htm - 36k

Wouldn't (67 Occurrences)
... Revelation 8:12 The fourth angel sounded, and onethird of the sun was struck, and
onethird of the moon, and onethird of the stars; so that onethird of them ...
/w/wouldn't.htm - 26k

Fourth (87 Occurrences)
... Revelation 8:12 The fourth angel sounded, and onethird of the sun was struck, and
onethird of the moon, and onethird of the stars; so that onethird of them ...
/f/fourth.htm - 43k

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