Dictionaries :: Double

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Double:

dub'-'-l (shanah, "to repeat," as in counting; kaphal, "to fold over," or "double," as a cloth): A word used quite frequently in the Old Testament. Jacob ordered his sons to take double money in their hands, i.e. twice the necessary amount (Ge 43:12,15). If a thief be caught with a living animal he was to restore double (Ex 22:4); if property be stolen out of the house of one to whom it is entrusted he was to restore double (Ex 22:7,9). The firstborn was to receive a double portion of the inheritance (De 21:17). Likewise also by a beautiful symbol Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit to fall upon him (2Ki 2:9). Degrees of punishment or sufferings were also expressed by the idea of a doubling (Isa 61:7; Jer 16:18; 17:18; Zec 9:12).

The use of the second Hebrew form in Job 11:6 and Job 41:13 seems quite confusing in its translation. the King James Version translates it simply "double," but the Revised Version (British and American) gives it its expanded and derived meaning, "manifold in understanding," and "who shall come within his jaws," respectively, "manifold" in the first instance meaning multiplied, and "jaws" doubtless meaning the double row of teeth. The classic phrases in the New Testament are those used by James to represent instability and a wavering disposition, dipsuchos, literally, "doubleminded" (Jas 1:8; 4:8).

Written by Walter G. Clippinger

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Double:

denotes "twofold, double," 1Ti 5:17; Rev 18:6 (twice). The comparative degree diploteron (neuter) is used adverbially in Mat 23:15, "twofold more."

Double:

signifies "to double, to repay or render twofold," Rev 18:6.