A doublet is a Hebraic form in which there is a set of two or more words (or constructions) which occur together and refer to essentially the same (synonymous or nearly synonymous) entity, action, or quality. The doublet is often called rhetorical parallelism in the literature on Hebrew poetry. Doublets are found both in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and retained in the Greek of the Jewish authors of the New Testament.

For translation purposes, if the language into which the meaning of a doublet is being transferred lacks the doublet in its inventory of grammatical forms, a doublet may be rendered as a single term plus a possible modifying concept such as intensity if that semantic element seems to be present in the original biblical doublet. Some languages which lack the doublet form may have some other form which is functionally equivalent to a doublet. This form should be used to translate doublets. Every translator must be especially aware of whether or not his own language does or does not have the doublet form within its grammatical inventory (English, for instance, does not, although it does have forms similar to doublets which can preserve the original meaning of a doublet). If the target language does not have the doublet form, and the original doublet is translated as two (or more) separate terms, it is possible that the original meaning will be distorted in translation, with users of the translation understanding the doublet terms to refer to separate, unrelated concepts. Field testing can determine whether or not the original meaning of doublets has been accurately communicated to users of the translation.

Please note that recognition of the presence of a doublet form and its rhetorical parallelism meaning does not indicate that there is no possible semantic difference at all between the terms of the doublet. Identification of a doublet only indicates recognition that a special rhetorical effect was being created in the biblical text by use of the parallel terms.

One of the main issues for English Bible versions is how should doublets be translated so that their original unified doublet meaning is accurate and clear to English readers. For instance, field testing on Psalm 119:105,

"Your word is a lamp for my feet,
and a light for my path." (NLT)

will likely show that unchurched, fluent speakers of English will interpret this verse to mean that there are two kinds of light, one a lamp, the other, a generic light. But this verse is a Hebraic doublet, actually referring to the fact that God's word (metaphorically) illuminates (only one light) our (metaphorical) walk (way of life, conduct). In this verse "lamp" and "light" refer to the same entity; they are co-referential; they have the same antecedent, "your word."

A desire for the highest degree of accuracy calls for careful thinking about how to translate verses such as Ps. 119:105 so that English readers will clearly understand the original doublet rhetorical meaning. Bruce R. Moore has authored the booklet "Doublets in the New Testament" (1993, SIL, Dallas, Texas). This booklet includes discussion of doublets and a listing of all the doublets which Moore found in the New Testament.

Following is a beginning list of candidates for doublets found in the Hebrew Bible (the equal "=" sign indicates the related terms of a doublet). English Bible versions can be evaluated as to whether or not they have adequately communicated the original rhetorical meaning of doublets. In the following list the abbreviation of an English version will be given in parentheses (at the end of a line) if that version clearly communicates that there is a single, unified meaning in the original doublet:

Job 4:7 perished = cut off (TEV, CEV)
Job 5:6 the earth = the ground (CEV)
Job 5:10 gives rain = sends waters
Ps. 2:4 he who sits in the heavens = the LORD (TEV, CEV)
Ps. 3:1 my foes = (those who) rise up against me (NET)
Ps. 6:1 anger = wrath
Ps. 8:4 man = son of man
Ps. 10:1 stand far off = hide
Ps. 10:8 lies in wait = from ambush (TEV, CEV, NLT)
Ps. 12:1 are no more = vanished (CEV)
Ps. 12:2 lies = speak with deception
Ps. 15:2 walk is blameless = does what is righteous
Ps. 17:5 my steps have held to your paths = my feet have not slipped (CEV)
Ps. 17:6 give ear to me = hear my prayer (CEV)
Ps. 17:9 assail = surround (CEV)
Ps. 17:15 your face = your likeness
Ps. 18:28 keep my lamp burning = turns my darkness into light
Ps. 19:4 voice = words; into all the earth = to the ends of the world (TEV, CEV)
Ps. 19:13 blameless = innocent of great transgression (NIV)
Ps. 22:6 scorned = despised; men = the people (TEV, CEV, NCV, NLT, NET)
Ps. 22:8 rescue = deliver
Ps. 22:10 from birth = from my mother's womb
Ps. 22:27 all the ends of the earth = all the families of the nations
Ps. 22:28 dominion = rules (CEV)
Ps. 22:30 posterity = future generations (CEV, NCV)
Ps. 24:1 the earth = the world
Ps. 24:2 the seas = the waters
Ps. 24:7 gates = ancient doors (CEV)
Ps. 25:4 show = teach; ways = paths (TEV)
Ps. 32:1 transgression = sin; forgiven = covered (CEV)
Ps. 51:2 wash = cleanse; iniquity = sin (CEV, NCV)
Ps. 89:18 king = shield; the LORD = the Holy One of Israel (TEV, CEV, NCV, NLT)
Ps. 89:21 my hand = my arm (both are metaphors for strength, power) (CEV, NLT)
Ps. 89:23 his foes = his adversaries (CEV)
Ps. 89:29 his line = his throne
Ps. 89:32 sin = iniquity (CEV)
Ps. 92:6 dullard = stupid; cannot know = cannot understand (CEV)
Ps. 92:7 wicked = evildoers; sprout like grass = flourish (CEV)
Ps. 92:11 my enemies = my evil assailants (CEV)
Ps. 93:1 firmly established = cannot be moved (NIV, REB, GW, NLT)
Ps. 93:4 great waters = the sea (CEV)
Ps. 97:11 the righteous = the upright in heart
Ps. 117:1 praise = extol; all you nations = all you peoples
Ps. 119:105 lamp=light (CEV)
Ps. 139:7 your spirit = your presence
Ps. 139:23 my heart = my thoughts (CEV)
Pro. 2:22 the wicked = the treacherous (CEV)
Pro. 3:5 your heart = your own understanding
Pro. 3:11 discipline = rebuke (TEV, CEV)
Pro. 3:12 loves = delights in
Pro. 3:13 wisdom = understanding
Pro. 3:17 her ways = her paths (TEV, CEV, NCV)
Pro. 4:2 sound learning = my teaching (TEV, CEV)
Pro. 4:8 exalt = honor (CEV)
Pro. 4:14 the wicked = evil men (CEV)
Pro. 4:15 avoid = turn from
Pro. 4:20 what I say = my words (CEV, NLT)
Pro. 4:22 life = health
Pro. 4:24 mouth = lips (both are metonymy for speaking) (RSV, NRSV, TEV, CEV, NCV, NLT)
Pro. 4:25 let your eyes look directly forward = (let) your gaze be straight before you (CEV)
Pro. 5:1 pay attention to = listen well to; my wisdom = my words of insight (CEV)
Pro. 5:3 lips = speech (CEV, NCV)
Pro. 5:5 death = the grave (CEV)
Pro. 5:12 hated = despised; discipline = correction (CEV)
Pro. 5:13 teachers = instructors (TEV, CEV)
Pro. 5:15 cistern = well (near synonymy) (TEV, CEV, NCV, NLT)
Pro. 5:16 springs = streams of water (TEV, CEV, NCV, NLT)
Pro. 5:19 doe = deer (TEV, CEV, NCV; probably also RSV, NRSV, REB, NIV, NLT, NET)
Pro. 5:21 ways = paths (TEV, CEV; perhaps also NLT)
Pro. 5:22 evil deeds = sin; ensnare him = hold him fast (TEV, CEV, NLT)
Pro. 6:4 sleep = slumber (NLT)
Pro. 6:8 stores its provision = gathers its food (TEV, CEV, NLT)
Pro. 6:11 poverty = scarcity (TEV, CEV)
Pro. 6:23 lamp = light (TEV, CEV, NLT)
Pro. 6:24 immoral woman = wayward wife (CEV)
Pro. 7:1 my words = my commands (CEV)
Pro. 7:5 adulteress = wayward wife (CEV)
Pro. 7:9 in the twilight = in the evening = at the time of night and darkness (TEV, CEV, NCV)
Pro. 7:25 turn aside = stray; ways = paths
Pro. 7:26 the victims = her slain (CEV)
Pro. 7:27 the grave = the chambers of death (REB, CEV)
Pro. 8:1 wisdom = understanding; call out = raise her voice (CEV)
Pro. 8:5 simple = foolish; gain prudence = gain understanding (CEV)
Pro. 8:9 right = faultless; the discerning = those who have knowledge (CEV)
Pro. 8:21 bestowing wealth = making their treasuries full (CEV)
Pro. 8:23 from eternity = from the beginning = before the world began (triplet) (CEV, NLT)
Pro. 8:29 the sea = the waters (TEV, CEV, NCV, NLT, NET)
Pro. 9:9 be wiser = add to his learning
Pro. 9:11 your days will be many = years will added to your life (TEV, CEV)
Pro. 16:26 appetite = hunger (CEV)
Pro. 18:15 discerning = wise (TEV, CEV, NLT)
Pro. 18:19 fortified city = barred gates of a citadel (CEV)
Pro. 18:20 the fruit of his mouth = the harvest from his lips (TEV, CEV)
Pro. 19:5,9 a false witness = he who pours out lies (TEV)
Pro. 19:15 laziness = shiftless (TEV, CEV, NLT)
Pro. 20:23 differing weights = dishonest scales (near synonymy)
Pro. 20:25 dedicate something rashly = his vows (TEV, CEV, NCV, GW, NLT, NET)
Pro. 20:30 blows and wounds = beatings (TEV, CEV, GW, NLT)
Pro. 21:14 anger = great wrath (TEV, CEV)
Pro. 21:18 wicked = unfaithful; righteous = upright (TEV, CEV)
Pro. 22:24; 29:22 hot-tempered man = one easily angered (TEV, CEV, NLT)
Pro. 22:26 strikes hands in pledge = puts up security for debts (TEV, CEV)
Pro. 23:12 instruction = words of knowledge (TEV, CEV)
Pro. 23:13 discipline = punish with the rod (NET)
Pro. 23:18; 24:14 future hope for you = your hope will not be cut off (TEV, CEV)
Pro. 23:21 become poor = clothes them in rags
Pro. 23:25 be glad = rejoice (CEV)
Pro. 23:32 snake = viper (TEV, CEV, NCV)
Pro. 24:3 wisdom = understanding
Pro. 24:5 wise man = man of knowledge; has great power = increases strength (GW?)
Pro. 24:11 death = slaughter (TEV, CEV, NLT)
Pro. 24:15 dwelling place = house (TEV, CEV)
Pro. 24:19 evil men = the wicked (TEV, CEV)
Pro. 24:20 has no future hope = lamp ... will be snuffed out (TEV, CEV)
Pro. 30:14 swords = knives (near synonymy) (TEV, CEV, NLT)
Is. 8:14 stone = rock; stumble = fall (TEV, CEV)
Is. 11:10 the peoples = the nations (TEV, CEV)
Is. 40:29 the faint = the powerless (TEV, CEV)
Is. 52:15 that which had not been told them = that which they had not heard; see = contemplate (TEV, CEV)
Is. 53:4: borne = carried; griefs = sorrows; stricken = smitten (TEV, CEV)
Hos. 10:8 mountains = hills; cover us = fall on us

Conclusions

English versions rank their doublet translation number of "hits" as follows, along with their percentage (121 divided by the number of hits for that version). The relative ranking among the versions is similar to previous rankings discovered from analysis of other translation issues (e.g. OT idioms, genitives in the gospels, datives in the gospels) in English Bible versions (see the Studies webpage for results of other studies).

CEV, 84, 69%
TEV, 45, 37%
NLT, 24, 19.8%
NCV, 13, 11%
NET, 6, 5%
GW, 4, 3.3%
NIV, 3, 2.4%
REB, 3, 2.4%
RSV, 2, 1.6%
NRSV, 2, 1.6%
KJV, 0, 0%
NKJV, 0, 0%

It should be emphasized that these are simply rough, relative percentages. They are based on the number of *candidate* examples of doublets. Not everyone will agree that each candidate doublet in my list is a true doublet. And my list is, of course, far from complete. It is relatively complete for the book of Proverbs, but far from complete yet for Psalms which has many doublets. Also, I have only included in this list one class of doublets. There are other kinds of doublets which need to be included in a complete list such as positive-negative doublets [e.g. Pro. 3:33 "The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous." (NIV)], repetitive doublets, and generic-specific doublets.