Bible Strands
2 Samuel 12:6
Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Nathan speaks to David immediately after David pronounces that a man who steals a lamb deserves to die. The exchange occurs during Nathan’s prophetic confrontation, just before Nathan identifies David as the thief.
The words — The Hebrew יְשַׁלֵּם (ye.sha.Lem) means “he will restore” or “pay,” combined with אַרְבַּעְתַּיִם ('ar.ba'.Ta.yim), literally “fourfold.” The text explicitly commands a fourfold repayment for the stolen ewe-lamb.
The thread — The fourfold penalty mirrors the restitution law in Exodus 22:1, which mandates four sheep for a stolen sheep. Proportional repayment themes recur in Proverbs 6:31 and Luke 19:8.
Why it lands — The verse states that theft requires measurable restitution, not just condemnation. It asks the reader to accept that actions produce direct, quantifiable consequences that must be settled.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.
Cross-references
- Exodus 22:1 “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.
- Proverbs 6:31 Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.
- Luke 19:8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”
- James 2:13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.