Quaternion

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

(τετράδιον, from τετράς, ‘the number four’; Vulg._ quaternio, whence the English word)

St. Peter, arrested by King Herod Agrippa, was handed over to four quaternions of soldiers (Acts 12:4), probably at the fortress Antonia. A quaternion was a guard consisting of four men, two of whom would be chained to the prisoner in the cell, while the other two kept watch outside (cf. Philo, in Flaccum, 13; Polyb. VI. xxxiii. 7). The second two were apparently the ‘first ward’ (φυλακή), which had to be passed before the iron gate was reached (Acts 12:10). Four quaternions were required, as the night was divided in Roman fashion into four watches of three hours each.

James Strahan.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Τετράδιον (Strong'S #5069 — Noun Neuter — tetradion — tet-rad'-ee-on )

"a group of four" (tetra---, "four"), occurs in Acts 12:4 . A "quaternion" was a set of four men occupied in the work of a guard, two soldiers being chained to the prisoner and two keeping watch; alternatively one of the four watched while the other three slept. The night was divided into four watches of three hours each; there would be one "quaternion" for each watch by day and by night. Cp. the "guard" in Matthew 27:65; 28:11 .

Webster's Dictionary

(1):

(v. t.) To divide into quaternions, files, or companies.

(2):

(n.) The quotient of two vectors, or of two directed right lines in space, considered as depending on four geometrical elements, and as expressible by an algebraic symbol of quadrinomial form.

(3):

(n.) The number four.

(4):

(n.) A word of four syllables; a quadrisyllable.

(5):

(n.) A set of four parts, things, or person; four things taken collectively; a group of four words, phrases, circumstances, facts, or the like.

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Quaternion. A body of four. Acts 12:4-10. Four soldiers were appointed to keep guard during each of the four watches of the night. There were therefore sixteen in all. Of each quaternion probably two were in the prison, Peter being chained to them, and the other two were sentinels before the gate—the first and second guard.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Quaternion. A military term, signifying a guard of four soldiers, two of whom were attached to the person of a prisoner, while the other two kept watch, outside the door of his cell. Acts 12:4.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

"A guard of four soldiers", two attached to the prisoner, two outside his cell door. Four quaternions took by turns the guard over Peter for the four night watches (Acts 12:4).

Morrish Bible Dictionary

A party of 'four soldiers.' Four such parties were told off to guard Peter when in prison, that they might relieve each other every three hours in the night. Acts 12:4 .

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

QUATERNION . A guard of four soldiers ( Acts 12:4 ).

Holman Bible Dictionary

Acts 12:4John 19:23

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Acts 12:4

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kwa - tûr´ni - un ( τετράδιον , tetrádion ): The name given to a company of four soldiers of Herod's army ( Acts 12:4 ). To four such companies Peter had been handed over, who would take their turn of acting as guard over the prisoner, each of the four watches of the night according to Roman reckoning, which Herod Agrippa I would follow. In the castle of Antonia Peter was thus closely secured, in order that Herod, who had already killed James, the brother of John, with the sword (Acts 12:2 ), might, after the solemnities of the Passover, make sure of his death likewise. On the night before his intended execution he was sleeping in his cell between two soldiers, "bound with two chains," his left hand chained to one and his right to the other. The other two soldiers of the quaternion mounted guard before the door, and are spoken of as "the first and the second guard" (Acts 12:10 ) whom Peter and his angel guide had to pass on the way to liberty. The Greek word thus rendered is not found in the Septuagint or anywhere else in the New Testament.

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Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(τετράδιον, a body of fl.bur). "A quaternion of soldiers" (Acts 12:4) was a detachment of four men, which was the usual number of a Roman night-watch (Veget. De Re de Milit. iii, 8; Philo, 2 In Flacc. p. 98; Polyb. 6:33, 37). (See Soldier). Peter, therefore, was guarded by four soldiers, two within the prison, probably attached to his person, and two outside the doors; and, as the watch was usually changed every three hours, it was necessary that the "four quaternions" mentioned in the text should be appointed for the purpose. (See Prison). Or one set of sentinels may have been posted at the door of the cell (which was probably thought to be so secure as not to require a guard within), and another at the outer or street gate (Walch, De Vinclis Petri, in his Dissert. ad loc.). (See Peter).

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Quarternion

Quarter´nion. A 'quaternion of soldiers' was a detachment of four men, which was the usual number of a Roman night-watch. Peter, therefore, was guarded by four soldiers, two within the prison, and two outside the doors; and as the watch was usually changed every three hours, it was necessary that the 'four quaternions' mentioned in the text should be appointed for the purpose.