The term "fourfold" appears in the Bible to denote a multiplication or restitution by four times. This concept is often associated with justice, recompense, and the fulfillment of the law. The most notable biblical reference to "fourfold" is found in the account of Zacchaeus, a tax collector, in the New Testament.

Zacchaeus and Restitution:

In the Gospel of Luke, Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, encounters Jesus and experiences a profound transformation. In response to Jesus' acceptance and grace, Zacchaeus declares his intention to make restitution for any wrongs he has committed. He states, "Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold" (Luke 19:8). This declaration reflects Zacchaeus' commitment to justice and his desire to go beyond the requirements of the Mosaic Law, which typically required restitution of the principal amount plus an additional fifth (Leviticus 6:5).

Old Testament Law and Fourfold Restitution:

The concept of fourfold restitution is rooted in the Old Testament law. In Exodus 22:1, the law prescribes that if a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. This law underscores the principle of making amends for wrongdoing by providing restitution that exceeds the original loss, thereby serving as a deterrent to theft and a means of restoring justice.

Symbolism and Significance:

The use of "fourfold" in these contexts symbolizes completeness and thoroughness in making amends. It reflects a heart transformed by repentance and a commitment to righteousness. The act of repaying fourfold goes beyond mere compliance with the law; it demonstrates a genuine change of heart and a desire to restore relationships and integrity.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the concept of fourfold restitution highlights the importance of repentance and the transformative power of encountering Christ. Zacchaeus' willingness to repay fourfold illustrates the fruit of repentance and the impact of divine grace on an individual's life. It serves as a model for believers to seek reconciliation and to go above and beyond in making things right with others.

In summary, the term "fourfold" in the Bible is associated with justice, restitution, and the transformative power of repentance. It underscores the biblical principles of making amends and restoring relationships, reflecting a heart changed by the grace of God.1. (a. & adv.) Four times; quadruple; as, a fourfold division.

2. (n.) Four times as many or as much.

3. (v. t.) To make four times as much or as many, as an assessment,; to quadruple.

FOURFOLD

for-fold:

Occurs but twice in English Versions: 2 Samuel 12:6, "He shall restore the lamb fourfold"; and Luke 19:8 the King James Version, "If I have wrongfully exacted ought. I restore fourfold." From this statement of Zaccheus we are to understand that fourfold the amount of that which was stolen was the restoration the law required of a thief. This was the extreme penalty the law imposed. In some cases double the amount was to be restored (Exodus 22:4, 7); in others, a fifth of its value was added to the thing restored (Leviticus 6:5); still again, an amount equal to that taken was to be restored (1 Samuel 12:3).

5073. tetraplous -- fourfold
... fourfold. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: tetraplous Phonetic Spelling:
(tet-rap-lo'-os) Short Definition: four-fold Definition: four-fold, four ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5073.htm - 6k706. arbatayim -- fourfold
... 705, 706. arbatayim. 707 . fourfold. Transliteration: arbatayim Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-bah-tah'-yim) Short Definition: fourfold. ...
/hebrew/706.htm - 6k

The Fourfold Message.
... I John's Story The Fourfold Message. It is fascinating to find one book in this
old Book of God given up wholly to telling of this, John's Gospel. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the fourfold message.htm

The Fourfold Treasure
... The Fourfold Treasure. A Sermon (No.991). Delivered on Thursday Evening, April 27th,
1871, by. CH SPURGEON,. At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the fourfold treasure.htm

A Fourfold Cord
... A FOURFOLD CORD. 'And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.' "Acts 2:42. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a fourfold cord.htm

The Fourfold Symbols of the Spirit
... THE FOURFOLD SYMBOLS OF THE SPIRIT. 'A rushing mighty wind.' ... Cloven
tongues like as of fire.' ... I will pour out of My Spirit ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the fourfold symbols of the.htm

The Fourfold Gospel. John's the First Fruits of the Four. ...
... Book I. 6. The Fourfold Gospel. John's the First Fruits of the Four. Qualifications
Necessary for Interpreting It. Now the Gospels are four. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/6 the fourfold gospel johns.htm

Of the Fourfold Nature of Prayer.
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter IX. Of the fourfold nature
of prayer. And therefore, when we have laid this down with ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter ix of the fourfold.htm

Of the Fourfold Method of Discrimination.
... Cassian's Conferences. I. First Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XXII.
Of the fourfold method of discrimination. This power of ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxii of the fourfold.htm

The Fourfold Division of the Mosaic Law.
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies: Book I Chapter XXVIII."The Fourfold Division
of the Mosaic Law. The Mosaic philosophy is accordingly ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxviii the fourfold division of.htm

Of the Two Classes of Faults and their Fourfold Manner of Acting ...
... Chapter III. Of the two classes of faults and their fourfold manner of
acting on us. ... But their manner of acting on us is fourfold. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter iii of the two.htm

The Scope of the Apocalypse is Indicated by Its Place in the ...
... 1. We turn first to the sixth chapter of the Revelation, where a fourfold
view is presented of the Son of Perdition. Just as at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the scope of the apocalypse.htm

Fourfold (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a. & adv.) Four times; quadruple; as, a fourfold
division. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FOURFOLD. ...
/f/fourfold.htm - 8k

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)
... How completely the new birth was accomplished in Zaccheus is testified by his vow
to give half of his goods to the poor, and to make fourfold restitution where ...
/z/zacchaeus.htm - 10k

Zacchae'us (3 Occurrences)
... unto the Lord, 'Lo, the half of my goods, sir, I give to the poor, and if of any
one anything I did take by false accusation, I give back fourfold.' (See RSV). ...
/z/zacchae'us.htm - 7k

Watch (203 Occurrences)
... hours after. The fourfold division was according to the Roman system, each
of which was a fourth part of the night. See TIME. "Watch ...
/w/watch.htm - 40k

Fold (23 Occurrences)
... chiefly in composition, to denote multiplication or increase in a geometrical ratio,
the doubling, tripling, etc., of anything; as, fourfold, four times ...
/f/fold.htm - 17k

Four-fold (2 Occurrences)
Four-fold. Fourfold, Four-fold. Fourfooted . Multi-Version Concordance
Four-fold (2 Occurrences). ... (WBS). Fourfold, Four-fold. Fourfooted . Reference
/f/four-fold.htm - 7k

Four-fifths (1 Occurrence)
Four-fifths. Four-drachma, Four-fifths. Fourfold . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Four-drachma, Four-fifths. Fourfold . Reference Bible.
/f/four-fifths.htm - 6k

Eucharist
... The New Testament sources of our knowledge of the institution of the Eucharist are
fourfold, a brief account thereof being found in each of the Synoptic ...
/e/eucharist.htm - 38k

Ewe-lamb (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 12:6 and the ewe-lamb he doth repay fourfold, because that he hath
done this thing, and because that he had no pity.' (YLT). ...
/e/ewe-lamb.htm - 7k

Cheated (5 Occurrences)
... unto the Lord, 'Lo, the half of my goods, sir, I give to the poor, and if of any
one anything I did take by false accusation, I give back fourfold.' (See NIV). ...
/c/cheated.htm - 7k

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