Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "double" in the Bible often signifies a measure of abundance, recompense, or judgment. It appears in various contexts, ranging from blessings and rewards to punishment and restitution. The term is used both literally and metaphorically throughout the Scriptures.
Double PortionOne of the most notable uses of "double" is in the context of inheritance and blessing. The "double portion" is a term that refers to the inheritance given to the firstborn son, as seen in
Deuteronomy 21:17: "But he must acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for that son is the first sign of his strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him." This concept is further illustrated in the account of Elisha, who requested a "double portion" of Elijah's spirit (
2 Kings 2:9), symbolizing a desire for a greater measure of spiritual power and responsibility.
Double for TroubleThe theme of receiving "double" for one's troubles or sins is also prevalent. In
Isaiah 61:7, the prophet speaks of a future time of restoration for Israel: "Instead of your shame, you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace, you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours." This promise of a double blessing serves as a message of hope and redemption.
Conversely, the concept of "double" is used in the context of divine judgment.
Revelation 18:6 speaks of Babylon's punishment: "Give back to her as she has done; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion in her own cup." Here, "double" signifies the severity and completeness of God's judgment against sin and rebellion.
Double-MindednessIn the New Testament, "double" is used metaphorically to describe a state of divided loyalty or inconsistency.
James 1:8 warns against being "a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." This term highlights the importance of faith and single-minded devotion to God, contrasting with a wavering or indecisive heart.
Double HonorThe Apostle Paul uses the term "double" in the context of honor and respect within the church. In
1 Timothy 5:17, he writes, "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." This indicates a recognition of the significant responsibility and labor involved in church leadership, deserving of both respect and material support.
Double Edged SwordThe imagery of a "double-edged sword" is used in
Hebrews 4:12 to describe the Word of God: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This metaphor emphasizes the penetrating and discerning power of Scripture, capable of reaching the deepest parts of human existence.
In summary, the concept of "double" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from blessing and inheritance to judgment and discernment. It serves as a powerful symbol of God's justice, generosity, and the profound impact of His Word.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Twofold; multiplied by two; increased by its equivalent; made twice as large or as much, etc.
2. (a.) Being in pairs; presenting two of a kind, or two in a set together; coupled.
3. (a.) Divided into two; acting two parts, one openly and the other secretly; equivocal; deceitful; insincere.
4. (a.) Having the petals in a flower considerably increased beyond the natural number, usually as the result of cultivation and the expense of the stamens, or stamens and pistils. The white water lily and some other plants have their blossoms naturally double.
5. (adv.) Twice; doubly.
6. (v.) To increase by adding an equal number, quantity, length, value, or the like; multiply by two; to double a sum of money; to double a number, or length.
7. (v.) To make of two thicknesses or folds by turning or bending together in the middle; to fold one part upon another part of; as, to double the leaf of a book, and the like; to clinch, as the fist; -- often followed by up; as, to double up a sheet of paper or cloth.
8. (v.) To be the double of; to exceed by twofold; to contain or be worth twice as much as.
9. (v.) To pass around or by; to march or sail round, so as to reverse the direction of motion.
10. (v.) To unite, as ranks or files, so as to form one from each two.
11. (v. i.) To be increased to twice the sum, number, quantity, length, or value; to increase or grow to twice as much.
12. (v. i.) To return upon one's track; to turn and go back over the same ground, or in an opposite direction.
13. (v. i.) To play tricks; to use sleights; to play false.
14. (v. i.) To set up a word or words a second time by mistake; to make a doublet.
15. (n.) Twice as much; twice the number, sum, quantity, length, value, and the like.
16. (n.) Among compositors, a doublet (see Doublet, 2.); among pressmen, a sheet that is twice pulled, and blurred.
17. (n.) That which is doubled over or together; a doubling; a plait; a fold.
18. (n.) A turn or circuit in running to escape pursues; hence, a trick; a shift; an artifice.
19. (n.) Something precisely equal or counterpart to another; a counterpart. Hence, a wraith.
20. (n.) A player or singer who prepares to take the part of another player in his absence; a substitute.
21. (n.) Double beer; strong beer.
22. (n.) A feast in which the antiphon is doubled, hat is, said twice, before and after the Psalms, instead of only half being said, as in simple feasts.
23. (n.) A game between two pairs of players; as, a first prize for doubles.
24. (n.) An old term for a variation, as in Bach's Suites.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DOUBLEdub'-'-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 (Genesis 43:12, 15). If a thief be caught with a living animal he was to restore double (Exodus 22:4); if property be stolen out of the house of one to whom it is entrusted he was to restore double (Exodus 22:7, 9). The firstborn was to receive a double portion of the inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17). Likewise also by a beautiful symbol Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit to fall upon him (2 Kings 2:9). Degrees of punishment or sufferings were also expressed by the idea of a doubling (Isaiah 61:7Jeremiah 16:18;Jeremiah 17:18Zechariah 9:12).
The use of the second Hebrew form inJob 11:6 andJob 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" (James 1:8;James 4:8).
Walter G. Clippinger
Greek
1351. dilogos -- given to repetition,double-tongued... given to repetition,
double-tongued. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration:
dilogos Phonetic Spelling: (dil'-og-os) Short Definition:
double-tongued
...1363. diploo -- todouble
... todouble. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diploo Phonetic Spelling:
(dip-lo'-o) Short Definition: Idouble Definition: Idouble, render backdouble....
1362. diplous -- twofold,double
... twofold,double. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: diplous Phonetic Spelling:
(dip-looce') Short Definition:double, two-fold Definition:double, two...
1323. didrachmon -- adouble drachma
... adouble drachma. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: didrachmon Phonetic
Spelling: (did'-rakh-mon) Short Definition: adouble-drachma, two drachmae...
1366. distomos --double-mouthed, two-edged
...double-mouthed, two-edged. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: distomos Phonetic
Spelling: (dis'-tom-os) Short Definition: two-edged Definition: (lit...
1374. dipsuchos -- of two minds, wavering
... of two minds, wavering. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: dipsuchos Phonetic
Spelling: (dip'-soo-khos) Short Definition:double-minded, wavering...
4794. sugkupto -- to bend forwards, bow down
... to bend forwards, bow down. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sugkupto Phonetic
Spelling: (soong-koop'-to) Short Definition: I am bentdouble Definition: I...
1365. distazo -- twenty thousand
... 1365 (from 1364 , "two,double" and 4714 , "stance, standing") -- properly, going
two ways, shifting between positions; choosing "adouble-stance" and hence...
573. haplous -- simple, single
... Cognate: 573 () -- properly, , -- literally, "without folds" (J. Thayer), referring
to a (), ie without a (secret) "double agenda" which prevents an over...
3364. ou me -- anymore, at all, neither, never
... 3364 (from 3756 , " a fact" and 3361 , " a possibility") -- a which conveys, " .
literally, ", !". In , adouble negative has a meaning....
Strong's Hebrew
3717. kaphal -- todouble,double over... 3716b, 3717. kaphal. 3718 . to
double,
double over. Transliteration: kaphal
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-fal') Short Definition:
double. Word Origin a prim.
...4932. mishneh -- adouble, copy, second
... 4931, 4932. mishneh. 4933 . adouble, copy, second. Transliteration: mishneh
Phonetic Spelling: (mish-neh') Short Definition: second....
3718. kephel -- thedouble
... 3717, 3718. kephel. 3719 . thedouble. Transliteration: kephel Phonetic
Spelling: (keh'-fel) Short Definition:double. Word Origin...
8382. taam -- to bedouble
... 8381, 8382. taam. 8383 . to bedouble. Transliteration: taam Phonetic Spelling:
(taw-am') Short Definition: twins. Word Origin denominative...
7436. Ramathayim Tsophim -- "double height of watchers," a city in...
... "double... Word Origin from ramah and tsaphah Definition "double height of watchers,"
a city in Ephraim NASB Word Usage Ramathaim-zophim (1). Ramathaimzophim....
6255. Ashteroth Qarnayim -- "Ashtaroth of thedouble horns," a...
Ashteroth Qarnayim. 6254, 6255. Ashteroth Qarnayim. 6256 . "Ashtaroth of the
double horns," a place East of the Jordan. Transliteration: Ashteroth Qarnayim...
1453. Gederothayim -- "double wall," a place in Judah
... Gederothayim. 1454 . "double wall," a place in Judah. Transliteration: Gederothayim
Phonetic Spelling: (ghed-ay-ro-thah'-yim) Short Definition: Gederothaim....
4850. Merathayim -- perhaps "double rebellion," another name for...
... perhaps "double rebellion," another name for Bab.... Word Origin perhaps from marah
Definition perhaps "double rebellion," another name for Bab....
8147. shenayim -- two (a cardinal number)
... 52* (2), 52,700* (1), 62* (1), 62,700* (2), 642* (2), 652* (2), 72* (1), 72,000*
(1), 822* (1), 832* (1), both (62), both* (7), couple (2),double (7), each...
5588. seeph -- divided, halfhearted
... 5587, 5588. seeph. 5589 . divided, halfhearted. Transliteration: seeph
Phonetic Spelling: (say-afe') Short Definition:double-minded....
Library
ADouble Wrestling Match.
... The Great Outside Hindrance Adouble Wrestling Match.... There is adouble scene
being enacted. A scene you can see, and a scene you cannot see....
There is aDouble Rule for Understanding the Scriptural Modes of...
... Book II. Chapter 1."There is aDouble Rule for Understanding the Scriptural
Modes of Speech Concerning the Son of God. These Modes...
Description of theDouble Porticos on Either Side, and of the...
... Book III. Chapter XXXVII."Description of theDouble Porticos on Either
Side, and of the Three Eastern Gates. Besides this were...
Kadesh. Rekam, and thatDouble. Inquiry is Made, Whether the...
... A Chorographical Century. Chapters 1-10 Chapter 7 Kadesh. Rekam, and thatdouble.
Inquiry is made, Whether the doubling it in the Maps is well done....
Of theDouble Sense in which Holy Scripture May be Taken.
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter IV. Of thedouble sense in which
Holy Scripture may be taken. Wherefore on those passages...
That from Henceforth, noDouble Monastery Shall be Erected; and...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XX. That from henceforth, nodouble monastery
shall be erected; and concerning thedouble monasteries already in existence....
Double Dealing of the Sanhedrim.
... CHAPTER VI. THE TRIAL AND CONDEMNATION. Section 284.Double Dealing of the
Sanhedrim. It is obvious, at first sight, that the procedure...
TheDouble Altar, Widows and virgins; Gold the Symbol of virginity...
... Discourse V."Thallousa. Chapter VIII."TheDouble Altar, Widows and Virgins;
Gold the Symbol of Virginity. Now the Jews prophesied...
Of theDouble Heaven, --The visible, and the Heaven of Heavens.
... Book XII. Chapter II."Of theDouble Heaven,"The Visible, and the Heaven
of Heavens. 2. The weakness of my tongue confesseth...
Autumn.Double.
... 267 Autumn. 8s & 7s.Double. Desiring Sanctification. (701) Love divine,
all love excelling, Joy of heaven, to earth come down; Fix...
Thesaurus
Double (49 Occurrences)... pistils. The white water lily and some other plants have their blossoms naturally
double. 5. (adv.) Twice; doubly. 6. (v.) To increase
...Double-minded (4 Occurrences)
Double-minded. Doubleminded,Double-minded. Doubles . Multi-Version
ConcordanceDouble-minded (4 Occurrences). James...
Double-boarded (1 Occurrence)
Double-boarded.Double,Double-boarded. Doubled . Multi-Version
ConcordanceDouble-boarded (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 27...
Double-edged (6 Occurrences)
Double-edged. Doubled,Double-edged. Doubleminded . Multi-Version
ConcordanceDouble-edged (6 Occurrences). Hebrews...
Double-tongued (1 Occurrence)
Double-tongued. Doubletongued,Double-tongued. Doubling . Noah Webster's
Dictionary... Multi-Version ConcordanceDouble-tongued (1 Occurrence)....
Accommodation (1 Occurrence)
...DOUBLE REFERENCE IN SCRIPTURE 1. Allegory in Scripture 2. Hidden Truths of
Scripture 3. Prophecy and its Fulfillment 4. Conclusion IV....
Machpelah (6 Occurrences)
... Portion;double cave, the cave which Abraham bought, together with the field in
which it stood, from Ephron the Hittite, for a family burying-place (Genesis 23...
Bridle (12 Occurrences)
... manner); Job 41:13, said of "leviathan" (the Revised Version (British and American)
"the hippopotamus"), "Who can come to him hisdouble bridle?" the American...
Fold (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (vt) To lap or lay in plaits or folds; to lay one
part over another part of; todouble; as, to fold cloth; to fold a letter....
Four-square (7 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Exodus 28:16 Foursquare it shall be anddouble; a span shall be the
length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof. (See JPS)....
Resources
What does it mean to have a double tongue? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to receive a double portion? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the principle of double effect? | GotQuestions.orgDouble: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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