The term John uses appears frequently throughout the Old and New Testament and simply means to “give back,” “restore,” “return” something to someone (Luke 4:20). Of significance to the present text is the command of Paul in Romans 12:17 to “repay [same word] no one evil for evil,” that is, no tit for tat. Yet in this text “my people” must “return,” “pay back” double what Babylon did, not in retaliation for what she did to them but as tools in God’s hands to make her experience how she offended God (Revelation 18:5).
6 Pay her back as she herself has paid back others, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed.