אַרְבַּעְתַּיִם
fourfold
Definition
The Hebrew word אַרְבַּעְתַּיִם (ʼarbaʻtayim) means 'fourfold' or 'four times as much.' It is a dual form, indicating a precise multiplication by four. In its sole biblical occurrence, it specifies the exact restitution required under the law for theft of a sheep, as articulated by King David in 2 Samuel 12:6. The term conveys a complete and proportional repayment, not merely a symbolic penalty.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Samuel 12:6. It appears in the context of Nathan the prophet's parable to King David, where David, acting as judge, declares that the rich man who stole a poor man's lamb must restore it fourfold. This usage directly references the legal principle of restitution found in Exodus 22:1, demonstrating its application in a judicial pronouncement.
Etymology
The word is the dual form of אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702), meaning 'four.' The dual form in Hebrew grammar typically indicates a pair or a twofold nature, but here it is used idiomatically to express a fourfold multiplication. It is related to the common Semitic root for the number four (r-b-ʻ).
Semantic Range
This term is theologically significant as it connects to the biblical concepts of justice, restitution, and the seriousness of sin. David's pronouncement of a fourfold penalty, based on the Law (Exodus 22:1), ironically condemns his own sin of adultery and murder, highlighting that God's law applies equally to all. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of 2 Samuel 12 by showing how Nathan's trap uses David's own knowledge of justice to convict him.
In ancient Israelite law, fourfold restitution for a stolen sheep (Exodus 22:1) was a standard penalty, reflecting the high value of livestock in an agrarian society. It served as both a deterrent and a means of restoring what was lost, plus compensation. This differs from modern legal systems where penalties are often fines or imprisonment.
אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — the cardinal number 'four,' not a multiplied amount. כִּפְלַיִם (kiphlayim, H3717) — double or twofold, a different multiplier.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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