Bible Word Study
אַרְבַּעְתַּיִם
ʼarbaʻtayim · fourfold
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
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]