What started my interest about the word “double” was I was reading in the book of Isaiah, during my night devotion and read that in Isaiah 40:2, GOD gave Israel a “double” punishment for their sin….. I thought, “WOW…… and you just think you got a whipping…….”
Isaiah 40:2 (AKJV) 2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
Another one of the references to double punishment is found in Jeremiah…..
Jeremiah 16:18 (KJV) 18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.
Here are a few things about the word “double” in the bible…
The first-born received a double portion of inheritance (if he was the offspring of the hated second wife) (Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible)……
Deuteronomy 21:15-17 (KJV) 15 If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated: 16 Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn: 17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
Elisha received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit at his request….. (Here is a quote that I thought was fitting from Matthew Henry’s Commentary…. “It is a holy ambition to covet earnestly the best gifts, and those which will render us most serviceable to God and our brethren.”)
II Kings 2:9-14 (KJV) 9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. 11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. 13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
This was so powerful, that when Elisha died, and was put in his burial place, that when another person was placed in that place on top of him, the other person came alive……
II Kings 13:21 (AKJV) 21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
Also, Elisha preformed twice the miracles of Elijah, and below are a few more differences between the two prophets:
Elijah was a prophet of the wilderness;
Elisha was a prince of the court.
Elijah had no settled home;
Elisha enjoyed the peace of a home.
Elijah was known by his long hair and shaggy mantle;
Elisha by his staff and bald head.
Elijah was mainly prophetical;
Elisha’s work was mainly miraculous.
Elijah’s ministry was one of stern denunciation;
Elisha’s task was that of teaching and winning.
Elijah was a rebuker of kings;
Elisha was a friend and admirer.
Elijah was a messenger of vengeance;
Elisha was a messenger of mercy.
Elijah represented exclusiveness;
Elisha stood for comprehension.
Elijah was fierce, fiery, energetic;
Elisha was gentle, sympathetic, simple.
Elijah was a solitary figure;
Elisha was more social.
Elijah had an extraordinary disappearance from earth;
Elisha’s death was ordinary.
(Quoted from All the Men of the Bible)
Here is a reference regarding the lack of double heart in the tribe of Zebulun…
1 Chronicles 12:33 (KJV) 33 Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart. (in other words perfect hearted, in one accord, no separate interest but for the common good…..)
GOD’s Wisdom is double…..
Job 11:6 (KJV) 6 and that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! (So unsearchable, that we can’t comprehend the secrets of HIS wisdom)
Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. (HE know more of our evil, than we do…..)
If a person was caught as a thief of livestock, he was to restore the stolen property double (two replacements for each one stolen) (Per the Encyclopedia of the Bible/Crimes and Punishments/Robbery and Larceny) …..
Exodus 22:4 (KJV) 4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.
If you were found to have stolen your neighbor’s stuff or money, you were to pay back double…..
Exodus 22:7 (KJV) 7 If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep, and it be stolen out of the man’s house; if the thief be found, let him pay double.
and my last one…..
A double hired servant……
…..rendered services thru obedience, and usually the term of service was 3 years. and was like one of the family, whereas a slave was considered property….. The Israelites were not to send the servant away “empty handed” after his term was up… But they were to remember where GOD brought them from….. out of bondage in Egypt, when they were enslaved, and how GOD didn’t allow them to leave “empty handed”.
Deuteronomy 15:18 (KJV) 18 It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.
Scriptural Thoughts........ 