The term "four-fold" is used in the Bible to denote a multiplication or increase by four times. This concept is often associated with restitution, justice, and the fulfillment of divine law. The most notable biblical reference to "four-fold" is found in the account of Zacchaeus, a tax collector who encountered Jesus Christ.

Zacchaeus and Restitution:

In the Gospel of Luke, Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, is moved to repentance after his encounter with Jesus. In Luke 19:8 , Zacchaeus declares, "Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold." This statement reflects the Old Testament principle of restitution, where a wrongdoer is required to compensate the victim multiple times over for the loss or harm caused.

Old Testament Law:

The concept of four-fold restitution is rooted in the Mosaic Law. In Exodus 22:1 , the law states, "If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep." This law underscores the importance of justice and the need to make amends for wrongdoing. The four-fold restitution for sheep indicates a significant penalty intended to deter theft and ensure fairness.

Symbolism and Significance:

The use of "four-fold" in the Bible carries symbolic weight, representing completeness and thoroughness in the act of restitution. It signifies a full and generous compensation that goes beyond mere repayment, reflecting a heart transformed by repentance and a desire to restore relationships and integrity.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the four-fold restitution made by Zacchaeus illustrates the transformative power of encountering Christ. It demonstrates the fruit of genuine repentance, where an individual not only seeks forgiveness but also takes concrete steps to rectify past wrongs. This act of restitution is a testament to the change of heart that accompanies true faith and conversion.

Application in Christian Life:

The principle of four-fold restitution serves as a moral and ethical guideline for Christians, emphasizing the importance of making amends and seeking reconciliation. It challenges believers to go beyond mere acknowledgment of wrongdoing and to actively pursue restoration and justice in their relationships with others.5073. tetraplous -- fourfold
... rap-lo'-os) Short Definition: four-fold Definition: four-fold, four times as much.
Word Origin from tessares and perhaps ploos Definition fourfold NASB Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5073.htm - 6k706. arbatayim -- fourfold
... 705, 706. arbatayim. 707 . fourfold. Transliteration: arbatayim Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-bah-tah'-yim) Short Definition: fourfold. ... fourfold. ...
/hebrew/706.htm - 6k

The Four-Fold Gospel
The Four-Fold Gospel. <. The Four-Fold Gospel JW McGarvey. Table of
Contents. Title Page. Introduction. Preserving the Text. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/

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

The Four-Fold Gospel
The Four-Fold Gospel. <. ... Title Page. THE FOUR-FOLD GOSPEL OR. A Harmony
of the Gospels. Resulting in a complete chronological ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/title page.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

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

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

Zaccheus (4 Occurrences)
... said to the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if
I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him four-fold...
/z/zaccheus.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-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

Fourfooted (3 Occurrences)

/f/fourfooted.htm - 7k

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

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