### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term כֶּפֶל (kephel, `{{H3718}}`) is derived from the verbal root כָּפַל (kaphal, `{{H3717}}`), which means "to double" or "to fold." As a noun, kephel signifies the state or result of being doubled. Its primary semantic range encompasses "double," "duplicate," or "twofold." This implies an intensification or increase by a factor of two, but more broadly, it can denote a full or complete measure of something, often in the context of recompense, whether punitive or restorative. It refers not merely to a numerical quantity but to a qualitative aspect of fullness or intensity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word כֶּפֶל (kephel, `{{H3718}}`) appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, but each occurrence carries significant weight:
* **[[Job 11:6]]**: "And that He would show you the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to what is. Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves." Here, Zophar, in his discourse with Job, speaks of God's wisdom as כֶּפֶל (kephel), meaning it is "double" or "manifold" beyond human comprehension. It emphasizes the profound, unfathomable, and intricate nature of divine wisdom, suggesting it is far richer and more complex than any human perception.
* **[[Job 41:13]]** (Hebrew 41:5): "Who can strip off his outer garment? Who can approach him with his double bridle?" In this poetic description of Leviathan, כֶּפֶל (kephel) is used in the phrase כֶּפֶל רֶסֶן (kephel resen), which is often translated as "double bridle" or "double-layered scales/armor." This highlights the immense strength, formidable protection, and invulnerability of the creature, serving as an illustration of God's creative power. The "double" here refers to a literal or metaphorical layering that enhances impenetrability.
* **[[Isaiah 40:2]]**: "Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins." This is perhaps the most theologically potent use of כֶּפֶל. The phrase "double for all her sins" signifies that Jerusalem has undergone a full and sufficient measure of judgment or suffering for her transgressions. It does not necessarily mean twice the deserved punishment, but rather a complete and exhaustive recompense that has fully satisfied divine justice, thereby paving the way for pardon and restoration. It marks the completion of a period of divine discipline.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the verbal root from which כֶּפֶל is derived: כָּפַל (kaphal, `{{H3717}}`), "to double" or "to fold." Other related concepts include:
* **Multiplication and Increase:** The idea of abundance, fullness, or intensified measure.
* **Measure and Proportion:** The concept of a specific quantity or degree, often implying a just or complete allocation.
* **Recompense and Justice:** The notion of receiving what is due, whether in terms of punishment for sin or restoration after suffering.
* **Other terms for "two" or "second":** While כֶּפֶל specifically means "double," other Hebrew words like שְׁנַיִם (shenayim, `{{H8147}}`) refer to the number two, and מִשְׁנֶה (mishneh, `{{H4932}}`) can mean "second," "double portion," or "duplicate," often in a legal or administrative context (e.g., a double portion for the firstborn, a duplicate scroll). Kephel emphasizes the *state* or *result* of being doubled, often with a qualitative implication.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of כֶּפֶל (kephel, `{{H3718}}`) is profound, particularly in its limited but impactful usage:
* **Divine Justice and Mercy:** The use in [[Isaiah 40:2]] is pivotal. "Double for all her sins" underscores the thoroughness of God's judgment upon His people. This "double" signifies a complete and sufficient payment of the penalty for sin, satisfying the demands of divine justice. Crucially, this complete payment is the very prerequisite for the subsequent declaration of pardon and comfort. It highlights God's unwavering commitment to justice, yet simultaneously reveals His ultimate purpose of restoration and grace for His people. The "double" is not arbitrary over-punishment, but a full measure that allows for a new covenantal relationship.
* **Unfathomable Divine Attributes:** In [[Job 11:6]] and [[Job 41:13]], kephel serves to magnify the divine. It speaks to the immeasurable depth and complexity of God's wisdom, which far surpasses human understanding. Similarly, the description of Leviathan's "double" protection illustrates the overwhelming power and might inherent in God's creation, reflecting His own transcendent power and sovereignty.
* **Completeness and Sufficiency:** Across its uses, kephel conveys a sense of completeness and sufficiency. Whether it is the full measure of judgment, the exhaustive depth of divine wisdom, or the absolute impenetrability of a creature designed by God, the term suggests that nothing is lacking in the divine economy and that God's actions and attributes are always perfectly sufficient for His purposes.
### Summary
The Hebrew word כֶּפֶל (kephel, `{{H3718}}`), derived from the verb כָּפַל (kaphal, `{{H3717}}`) meaning "to double" or "to fold," denotes the state or result of being "double" or a "duplicate." While numerically implying a factor of two, its biblical usage extends to signify a full, complete, and often intensified measure. In [[Job 11:6]], it describes the unfathomable depth of God's wisdom, and in [[Job 41:13]], the formidable, double-layered protection of Leviathan, emblematic of divine power. Most significantly, in [[Isaiah 40:2]], "double for all her sins" indicates that Jerusalem has received a full and sufficient measure of judgment, which remarkably serves as the precursor to divine comfort and pardon. Thus, kephel speaks to the exhaustive nature of divine recompense—whether punitive or restorative—and underscores the completeness and sufficiency inherent in God's dealings with humanity, reflecting both His unwavering justice and His boundless mercy.
TRV