What Does Revelation 18:6 Mean in the King James?
Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The cup she filled for others becomes the measure poured back on her, doubled.
THE MEANING
The text presents judgment as return: what she gives comes back to her, doubled according to her works. The cup she mixes becomes the vessel of her own recompense, keeping the measure tied to what she has done. The verse names that repayment without softening its severity.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that a power can pour harm into others’ lives and remain untouched by the measure it sets.
THE ROOT
ἀπόδοτε
apódote
GROWS FROM
δίδωμι
didōmi
Give; the compound ἀποδίδωμι means to give back, render, or repay.
“Reward / rewarded” in this verse is apódote. Both forms translated “reward” come from ἀποδίδωμι, “give back” or “repay.” The verb makes return explicit: what she gives is returned, and the verse measures that return against her deeds.
ALSO GROWS
didōmi: Give, grant, bestow
δίδωμι
This is the base verb inside both forms of “reward,” carrying the sense of giving.
apodidōmi: Give back, repay, render
ἀποδίδωμι
This is the verb used twice in the verse; its “back” sense reveals the return built into the sentence.
paradidōmi: Hand over, deliver
παραδίδωμι
It shares the same δίδωμι base, showing how the verb’s branches describe giving in different directions.
διπλώσατε
diplōsate
GROWS FROM
διπλόω
diploō
Make double; make twofold.
Greek repeats the idea in two forms: first the command to double, then the doubled measure itself. The repeated wording makes the doubled return part of the verse’s structure, not a passing emphasis.
ALSO GROWS
diploō: Double, make twofold
διπλόω
The command form διπλώσατε makes doubling an explicit action in the verse.
diplous: Double, twofold
διπλοῦς
The closing διπλοῦν names the resulting measure and echoes the command.
THE PATTERN
What is done or dispensed returns in a measure shaped by the act itself.
His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.THE THREAD
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.The verb behind “reward” is ἀποδίδωμι (apodidōmi), “give back” or “repay”; 1 Thessalonians uses the same verb for “render.” The shared root places this verse’s judgment beside the interruption of personal retaliation: the language of return also names the refusal to pass evil onward.
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