The term "multiplieth" is an archaic form of the verb "multiply," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often signifying increase, growth, or abundance. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's blessings, commands, and the natural order He established.

Divine Blessing and Command

The idea of multiplication is first introduced in the creation narrative. In Genesis 1:28 , God blesses humanity, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it." This command underscores the divine intention for human beings to procreate and expand across the earth, reflecting God's creative power and desire for life to flourish.

Similarly, after the flood, God reiterates this command to Noah and his sons in Genesis 9:1 : "And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.'" This repetition emphasizes the continuity of God's plan for humanity despite the judgment of the flood.

Covenantal Promises

The theme of multiplication is also central to God's covenantal promises, particularly with the patriarchs. In Genesis 17:2 , God promises Abraham, "I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly." This promise of multiplication is not merely about numerical increase but also about the establishment of a great nation through which God's purposes would be fulfilled.

Isaac and Jacob, Abraham's descendants, receive similar promises. In Genesis 26:4 , God tells Isaac, "I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed." This multiplication is both a sign of divine favor and a means through which God's redemptive plan unfolds.

Prosperity and Judgment

Multiplication is often associated with prosperity and divine favor. In Deuteronomy 7:13 , God promises Israel, "He will love you and bless you and multiply you. He will bless the fruit of your womb and the produce of your land." Here, multiplication is a sign of God's blessing upon the obedient and faithful.

Conversely, the absence of multiplication or the reduction of numbers can signify judgment or disfavor. In Deuteronomy 28, the curses for disobedience include a lack of increase, highlighting the connection between faithfulness to God and the blessing of multiplication.

Spiritual and Symbolic Multiplication

Beyond physical and numerical growth, the concept of multiplication extends to spiritual and symbolic realms. In the New Testament, Jesus' parables often use the idea of multiplication to illustrate the Kingdom of God. For instance, in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:23), the seed that falls on good soil "produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold." This multiplication signifies the fruitful response to God's word and the exponential growth of His Kingdom.

Conclusion

The concept of "multiplieth" in the Bible encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, reflecting God's creative power, covenantal promises, and the principles of blessing and judgment. It serves as a reminder of God's desire for His creation to flourish and His Kingdom to expand through faithful obedience and divine favor.

On the Words of the Gospel, John vi. 9, Where the Miracle of the ...
... He multiplied the five loaves in the hands of them that brake them, who multiplieth
the seeds that grow in the earth, so as that a few grains are sown, and ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxx on the words.htm

On Filthy Speaking.
... object of disgust. "For he that multiplieth speech abominates his own soul."
[1434]. Footnotes: [1421] Matthew 15:18. [1422] [May ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vi on filthy speaking.htm

Whether Christ Worked Miracles Fittingly on Irrational Creatures?
... effected by way of creation, but by an addition of extraneous matter transformed
into loaves; hence Augustine says on Jn.6:1-14: "Whence He multiplieth a few ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ worked miracles fittingly 2.htm

Little Sins
... sins. The smaller the guilt, the more frequent it becomes. The elephant
hath but a small progeny and multiplieth slowly. But the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/little sins.htm

Acts xviii. 18
... "And how can we?" say you. "A sweet mouth multiplieth its friends, and a gracious
tongue." Let us get a well-spoken mouth, and pure manners. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xl acts xviii 18.htm

Motives to the Oversight of the Flock
... But to be the priest of these priests, and the ruler of these kings - this is such
an honor as multiplieth your obligations to diligence and fidelity in so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 3 motives to.htm

CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
... They are thus announced as early as in the Pentateuch; compare, eg, Deuteronomy
7:13: "And He loveth thee, and blesseth thee, and multiplieth thee, and ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap ii 25-apr 2-23.htm

The Annunciation of Jesus the Messiah, and the Birth of his ...
... dead, and causes salvation to shoot forth; the Holy One; Who graciously giveth
knowledge; Who taketh pleasure in repentance; Who multiplieth forgiveness; Who ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iv the annunciation of.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
The Pharisee And Publican. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

Multiplieth (13 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Multiplieth (13 Occurrences). ... (YLT). Job 9:17 For he breaketh
me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause. ...
/m/multiplieth.htm - 10k

Breaketh (49 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV WBS). Exodus 1:12 and as they afflict it, so it multiplieth, and so
it breaketh forth, and they are vexed because of the sons of Israel; (YLT). ...
/b/breaketh.htm - 21k

Multiply (98 Occurrences)
... possess it. (See JPS DBY RSV). Job 9:17 For he breaketh me with a tempest,
And multiplieth my wounds without cause. (See JPS NIV). Job ...
/m/multiply.htm - 37k

Vomiteth (4 Occurrences)
... it; (YLT). Job 34:37 For he doth add to his sin, Transgression among us he
vomiteth, And multiplieth his sayings to God. (YLT). Jonah ...
/v/vomiteth.htm - 7k

Vanity (100 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT). Job 35:16 Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vanity;
He multiplieth words without knowledge. (See JPS ASV DBY YLT). ...
/v/vanity.htm - 39k

Vexed (37 Occurrences)
... Exodus 1:12 and as they afflict it, so it multiplieth, and so it breaketh forth,
and they are vexed because of the sons of Israel; (YLT). ...
/v/vexed.htm - 16k

Oppressions (5 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Proverbs 28:16 A leader lacking understanding
multiplieth oppressions, Whoso is hating dishonest gain prolongeth days. ...
/o/oppressions.htm - 8k

Tempest (30 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). Job 9:17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth
my wounds without cause. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/t/tempest.htm - 17k

Returneth (27 Occurrences)
... doth the wicked his way, And the man of iniquity his thoughts, And he returneth
to Jehovah, and He pitieth him, And unto our God for He multiplieth to pardon. ...
/r/returneth.htm - 14k

Enjoying (9 Occurrences)
... Hosea 12:1 Ephraim is enjoying wind, And is pursuing an east wind, All the day lying
and spoiling he multiplieth, And a covenant with Asshur they make, And oil ...
/e/enjoying.htm - 9k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus