Greek word · G1363
διπλόω
diploō
to double
Diplous means "double, twofold." In ordinary Greek it can also describe something made of two layers, like a folded cloak, or a matching pair. Diploō means "to double" or "to fold over." The verb appears only here in the New Testament.
Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·
What it means
From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).
In depth
From the study of Revelation 18:6
- Range of meaning
Diplous means "double, twofold." In ordinary Greek it can also describe something made of two layers, like a folded cloak, or a matching pair. Diploō means "to double" or "to fold over." The verb appears only here in the New Testament.
- Against the English
Most English versions say "double" or "twice as much," and that is the plain sense of the Greek. What English cannot show is the Old Testament background. There, the Hebrew words translated "double" (mishneh, kiflayim) can mean a matching copy or full equivalent as well as twice the amount.
- Used elsewhere in the period
Exodus 22:4, 7, 9 sets double restitution as the legal penalty for theft. LXX Jer 16:18 reads "I will repay double their iniquities." LXX Isa 40:2 says Jerusalem "received from the Lord's hand double (διπλᾶ) for her sins." In Jer 17:18 the prophet prays, "destroy them with double destruction." In Deut 17:18 mishneh means "a copy" of the law, which shows the word's "duplicate" sense.
Where it appears
Revelation · 1
-
Revelation 18:6 διπλώσατε do pay back double
Give back to her as she has done to others; pay her back double for what she has done; mix her a double portion in her own cup.
Here: "Double!" This verb is rare in Greek and appears only here in the New Testament. It sharpens the repayment, either to twice as much or to a full matching copy (see debates).
Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.