τετραπλοῦς
four-fold
Definition
The adjective τετραπλοῦς means 'four-fold' or 'four times as much.' It denotes a quantity multiplied by four. In its sole New Testament occurrence in Luke 19:8, it describes the specific, extravagant restitution Zacchaeus promises to make for any fraud he has committed. While the core meaning is strictly numerical, its use in this narrative context carries a strong connotation of complete and overflowing compensation.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Luke 19:8. It appears in the direct speech of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, after his encounter with Jesus. He declares, 'If I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold (τετραπλοῦς).' The usage is in a context of voluntary, lavish restitution that goes far beyond the legal requirements of the Old Testament law (which typically demanded repayment plus a fifth, as in Leviticus 6:5).
Etymology
Derived from the Greek root τέτταρες (tettares), meaning 'four,' combined with the suffix -πλοῦς, which indicates 'fold' or 'times.' It is a straightforward compound adjective, similar in formation to διπλοῦς (double) and τριπλοῦς (triple).
Semantic Range
Though a simple numerical term, its use in Luke 19:8 is theologically significant. Zacchaeus's promise to repay 'fourfold' is a powerful, tangible sign of genuine repentance and transformation. It demonstrates a radical shift from greed to generosity, fulfilling the ethical fruit of John the Baptist's earlier call to tax collectors (Luke 3:13). The fourfold restitution, exceeding the Mosaic law, illustrates the superabundant grace and new life that results from a true encounter with Jesus Christ.
In the Greco-Roman and Jewish cultural setting, fourfold restitution was known as a severe penalty, sometimes imposed for theft. For instance, it is specified for certain cases of sheep stealing in Exodus 22:1 (LXX). By voluntarily applying this standard to himself for fraud, Zacchaeus publicly acknowledges his guilt at the highest level and demonstrates the sincerity of his conversion in a culturally understood, dramatic way.
διπλοῦς (diplous, G1362) — double or two-fold. τριπλοῦς (triplous, G5153) — triple or three-fold.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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