Lexical Summary kephel: Double, fold Original Word: כֶּפֶל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance double From kaphal; a duplicate -- double. see HEBREW kaphal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kaphal Definition the double NASB Translation double (2), two sides (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs כֶּ֫פֶל noun [masculine] the double: — ׳כ construct: ׳בְּכ רִסְנוֺ Job 41:5 within the double of his jaw (i.e. his double jaws) who can come ? elsewhere dual כִּפְלַיִם (compare Arabic  ), לְתוּשִׁיָּה Job 11:6 double in sound wisdom (beyond what Job imagines), of retribution Isaiah 40:2. Topical Lexicon Overview כֶּפֶל conveys the notion of “double” or “fold,” a figure that communicates intensification, thoroughness, and layered complexity in divine dealings with humanity. Semantic Nuances • Recompense: measured, just, sometimes overflowing. Scriptural Occurrences 1. Job 11:6 “For true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.” Zophar asserts that God’s wisdom possesses a “double” aspect—far richer than Job can grasp—while also affirming that God’s discipline is tempered with mercy. 2. Job 41:13 “Who can strip off his outer coat? Who can penetrate his double layer of armor?” Leviathan’s “double layer” of scales illustrates impenetrable strength, underscoring human inability to master creation apart from the Creator’s sovereignty. 3. Isaiah 40:2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her warfare has ended; her iniquity has been pardoned. For she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.” The “double” here reflects full payment: exile satisfied covenant justice, clearing the way for gracious pardon and renewal. Theological Implications Justice and Mercy: כֶּפֶל holds together both severity and compassion. In Job 11 the sinner deserves far more; in Isaiah 40 Jerusalem’s debt is fully met yet followed by comfort. Divine Mystery: God’s wisdom is multi-layered, exceeding human comprehension. The “two sides” remind believers that apparent contradictions often resolve within God’s perfect counsel (Romans 11:33). Sovereignty in Creation: Leviathan’s double armor magnifies God’s unmatched authority over all forces that intimidate humanity (Job 41:1–11). Historical and Cultural Background Ancient Near Eastern law often required double restitution for theft (Exodus 22:4). כֶּפֶל thus evokes legal exactness: loss is replaced, justice is visible, society is stabilized. Isaiah’s audience, shaped by such norms, would sense that the exile had performed a calculable, covenant-satisfying role. Christological and Eschatological Insights At Calvary the Lord laid upon His Servant the full measure—indeed a “double” burden—of human sin (Isaiah 53:6). In Revelation 18:6 the same idiom reappears as Babylon receives “double” judgment, proving that God’s redemptive and punitive scales remain perfectly balanced across both Testaments. Practical Ministry Applications Repentance and Consolation: When calling people to repent, reveal both sides—sin’s full weight and grace’s full provision—avoiding one-sided legalism or sentimentalism. Spiritual Resilience: Leviathan’s image encourages believers to rely on divine armor (Ephesians 6:10-17), since human ingenuity cannot breach the enemy’s “double layer.” Pastoral Care: Like Isaiah, speak tenderly to those under discipline; explain that God’s dealings, though thorough, aim at restoration, not annihilation. Reflections for Faith and Practice כֶּפֶל teaches that God never acts partially: His judgments are complete, His mercy abundant, and His wisdom multifaceted. Embracing both sides fosters humility before mystery, confidence in justice, and hope in redemption. Forms and Transliterations בְּכֶ֥פֶל בכפל כִּפְלַ֖יִם כִפְלַ֪יִם כפלים bə·ḵe·p̄el beChefel bəḵep̄el chifLayim kifLayim kip̄·la·yim ḵip̄·la·yim kip̄layim ḵip̄layimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 11:6 HEB: חָכְמָה֮ כִּֽי־ כִפְלַ֪יִם לְֽת֫וּשִׁיָּ֥ה וְדַ֡ע NAS: For sound wisdom has two sides. Know KJV: of wisdom, that [they are] double to that which is! INT: of wisdom for has two sound Know Job 41:13 Isaiah 40:2 3 Occurrences |
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