Lexical Summary arbatayim: Fourfold Original Word: אַרְבַּעְתַּים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fourfold Dual of arba'; fourfold -- fourfold. see HEBREW arba' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom arba Definition fourfold NASB Translation fourfold (1). Topical Lexicon Primary Scriptural Setting2 Samuel 12:6 records David’s verdict in response to Nathan’s parable: “Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb fourfold” (Berean Standard Bible). The word rendered “fourfold” expresses a requirement for restitution at a rate of four to one, setting the only Old Testament appearance of this precise Hebrew form. Mosaic Background of Fourfold Restitution Although the form appears only in 2 Samuel, the principle it conveys is rooted in Torah jurisprudence. Exodus 22:1 mandates that a thief who steals and disposes of a sheep must “repay four sheep for a sheep.” David’s sentence therefore reflects established covenant law rather than an arbitrary reaction. In Israel’s theocratic society, restitution—not mere retribution—served to uphold both justice and community integrity. Prophetic Self-Indictment of David Nathan’s parable was designed to expose David’s sin regarding Bathsheba and Uriah. By requiring fourfold payment, David unknowingly pronounced a standard that God would measure back to him. The narrative that follows records the death of four of David’s sons—Bathsheba’s infant (2 Samuel 12:18), Amnon (2 Samuel 13:29), Absalom (2 Samuel 18:14-15), and Adonijah (1 Kings 2:24-25)—a sobering demonstration that divine discipline may mirror the very judgments we voice against others (compare Matthew 7:2). Restitution as a Window into the Divine Character 1. Justice: The four-to-one ratio underscores that sin extracts a cost higher than the initial offense, guarding victims’ rights and deterring future wrongdoing. Echoes in Later Scripture Luke 19:8 shows Zacchaeus adopting the same fourfold measure: “If I have cheated anyone of anything, I will repay four times the amount.” His ready compliance signals true repentance, linking the ancient principle to New Covenant transformation. Historical and Rabbinic Reflections Second Temple writings and later rabbinic traditions frequently cite fourfold repayment as a model of complete restitution. Early Christian commentators—including Chrysostom and Augustine—likewise viewed David’s experience as a moral paradigm: hidden sin invites divine exposure, but confession opens the path to forgiveness (Psalm 32:5). Contemporary Ministry Applications • Preaching: The solitary occurrence provides a concise narrative for illustrating sin’s consequences and God’s restorative aims. Theological Significance Ultimately, fourfold restitution prefigures the greater payment Christ made on the cross. While sinners could never repay the full debt of their transgressions, the gospel reveals a Savior who “gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6), satisfying divine justice and extending grace. The rarity of the term thus magnifies its message: God demands thorough justice yet provides an even more abundant redemption. Forms and Transliterations אַרְבַּעְתָּ֑יִם ארבעתים ’ar·ba‘·tā·yim ’arba‘tāyim arbaTayimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 12:6 HEB: הַכִּבְשָׂ֖ה יְשַׁלֵּ֣ם אַרְבַּעְתָּ֑יִם עֵ֗קֶב אֲשֶׁ֤ר NAS: for the lamb fourfold, because KJV: the lamb fourfold, because INT: the lamb make fourfold because and because 1 Occurrence |
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