In the context of the Bible, the concept of "doubles" can be explored through various themes and narratives that illustrate the idea of duplication, duality, or repetition. This entry examines the significance of doubles in Scripture, highlighting key passages and their theological implications.

1. Double Portions:

The notion of a "double portion" is significant in biblical texts, often symbolizing a special blessing or inheritance. In the Old Testament, the firstborn son traditionally received a double portion of the inheritance, as seen in Deuteronomy 21:17: "But he must acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double portion of all he has, for that son is the first sign of his strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him."

The double portion is also a theme in the account of Elisha and Elijah. Elisha requests a double portion of Elijah's spirit, signifying his desire for a greater measure of prophetic power and responsibility (2 Kings 2:9): "When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.' And Elisha said, 'Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.'"

2. Double Blessings and Curses:

The Bible also speaks of double blessings and curses, reflecting the principle of divine justice and recompense. In Isaiah 61:7, the promise of double blessing is given to those who have suffered shame: "Instead of your shame, you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace, you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours."

Conversely, Revelation 18:6 speaks of a double recompense for Babylon's sins: "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."

3. Double-Mindedness:

The concept of being double-minded is addressed in the New Testament, particularly in the Epistle of James. A double-minded person is described as unstable and lacking in faith. James 1:8 states, "He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." This highlights the importance of single-minded devotion and faithfulness to God.

4. Double Witness:

The principle of requiring two or more witnesses to establish a matter is a recurring theme in biblical law and justice. Deuteronomy 19:15 emphasizes this: "A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."

This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus speaks of the validity of testimony in John 8:17: "In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid."

5. Double Edged Sword:

The imagery of a double-edged sword is used metaphorically in Scripture to describe the penetrating power of God's Word. Hebrews 4:12 declares, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

This metaphor underscores the ability of God's Word to discern and judge the innermost thoughts and intentions of individuals.

6. Double Honor:

In the context of church leadership, the Apostle Paul speaks of double honor for elders who lead well, particularly those who labor in preaching and teaching. 1 Timothy 5:17 states, "Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching."

This passage highlights the value and respect due to those who serve faithfully in spiritual leadership roles.

Through these various themes, the concept of doubles in the Bible reveals deeper insights into God's justice, blessings, and the call for integrity and faithfulness among His people.

Love Increased by Suffering
... 'Tis there he stamps the yielding mind,. And doubles all its fires. Flames of
encircling love invest,. ... No pride can enter there. A Saviour doubles all my joys,. ...
/.../love increased by suffering.htm

A Description of Mystical Theology, which is no Other Thing than ...
... and best trained hounds are often at fault; they lose the strain and scent by the
variety of sleights which the stag uses, who makes doubles, puts them on a ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i a description of.htm

High Mass, Requiems, Benediction
... c) For Solemn Feasts. Fifth Mode. Deo gratias. d) For Doubles (No.1). First Mode.
Deo gratias. e) (De Angelis) Doubles. Fifth Mode XV. s. Deo gratias. ...
/.../the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 259 high mass requiems.htm

The Song of a City, and the Pearl of Peace
... peace. "Thou wilt keep him in peace, peace," saith the Hebrew. God does
nothing by halves, but everything by doubles. His salvation ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the song of a city.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... divine parentage, and was merely pious hyperbole: they entertained no illusions
with regard to any descent from a god or even from one of his doubles, but they ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

Loyal to the Core
... the controversy once for all, and to make David know that he does not mean to leave
him, he takes a solemn oath before Jehovah his God, and he doubles it by ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/loyal to the core.htm

A Solemn Deprival
... It doubles; it changes its tack; it goes from right to left but the hell-dogs are
too swift of foot, and too strong of wind to lose their prey, and till Jesus ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/a solemn deprival.htm

Of Revenge.
... all, when, being provoked by a neighbour's malice, it constitutes itself superior
[9113] in following out revenge, and by paying wickedness doubles that which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/of patience/chapter x of revenge.htm

Parasitism.
... of its race. The tiny body first doubles in upon itself, and from the two
front limbs elongated filaments protrude. Its four hind ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/parasitism.htm

Reflections on his Fiftieth Birthday. What a Wonderful Being is ...
... morning star of eternity. The century-living crow doubles this period
of man's probation, with life as it began. She builds her ...
/.../chapter xix reflections on his.htm

Doubles (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Doubles (1 Occurrence). Revelation 18:6 Render
to her as also she did render to you, and double to her ...
/d/doubles.htm - 6k

Double-minded (4 Occurrences)
Double-minded. Doubleminded, Double-minded. Doubles . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEB DBY NAS RSV NIV). Doubleminded, Double-minded. Doubles . Reference ...
/d/double-minded.htm - 7k

Doubletongued (1 Occurrence)

/d/doubletongued.htm - 6k

Double (49 Occurrences)
... 23. (n.) A game between two pairs of players; as, a first prize for doubles.
24. (n.) An old term for a variation, as in Bach's Suites. Int. ...
/d/double.htm - 26k

Doubling (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Double. 2. (n.) The act of one
that doubles; a making double; reduplication; also, that which is doubled. ...
/d/doubling.htm - 7k

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