Isaiah 40 2

Isaiah 40:2 kjv

Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins.

Isaiah 40:2 nkjv

"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."

Isaiah 40:2 niv

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.

Isaiah 40:2 esv

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.

Isaiah 40:2 nlt

"Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.
Tell her that her sad days are gone
and her sins are pardoned.
Yes, the LORD has punished her twice over
for all her sins."

Isaiah 40 verses

Isaiah 40 2 Meaning

This verse proclaims a profound message of divine comfort and restoration for Jerusalem, representing the people of Israel, after a severe period of judgment. It declares that the nation's arduous time of suffering and hardship, likened to a harsh military service, has fully come to an end. Furthermore, their deep-seated iniquity has been completely forgiven, a powerful declaration of God's acceptance and renewal of their covenant relationship. The phrase "received... double for all her sins" is not about excessive punishment, but signifies that their prior suffering was sufficient, now yielding to an overflowing measure of divine favor and restoration that far exceeds past sorrow and shame.

Isaiah 40 2 Context

Isaiah chapter 40 marks a pivotal shift in the book, transitioning from prophecies of judgment and warnings to messages of hope, comfort, and restoration. Known as the "Book of Consolation" (Chapters 40-66), this section prophetically addresses a future exiled Judah, primarily following the destruction of Jerusalem and their Babylonian captivity. It aims to prepare and reassure the original audience for God's promised intervention that would lead to their return. The chapter portrays God as both the sovereign Creator and a tender Redeemer. Verse 2 specifically follows the opening divine command to "Comfort, comfort my people," signaling the definite conclusion of their arduous period of chastisement and the imminent arrival of God's abundant grace and restoration. Historically, it anticipates the end of the 70-year Babylonian exile prophesied by Jeremiah (Jer 29:10), providing crucial reassurance and affirming God's unfailing covenant faithfulness amidst national despair.

Isaiah 40 2 Word analysis

• Speak comfortably: (Heb. daberu al-lev - דַּבְּרוּ עַל־לֵב). Literally "speak to the heart." This implies tender, intimate, compassionate communication, aimed at profound emotional and spiritual solace, not mere superficial words.

• to Jerusalem: Represents the entire people of Israel/Judah. It is the spiritual and political heart of God's covenant nation, here signifying the collective body facing judgment and now receiving the promise of restoration.

• and cry unto her: (Heb. qir'u 'eleha - קִרְאוּ אֵלֶיהָ). Suggests a public, emphatic, and urgent proclamation, underscoring the vital importance and wide reach of this message of comfort, balancing the tenderness with authority.

• that her warfare: (Heb. tseva'ah - צְבָאָהּ). Lit. "her service," "her host," or "her appointed time." Used for military service, arduous labor, or a designated period of hardship. Here, it metaphorically denotes Israel's divinely appointed period of suffering, discipline, and exile, akin to a soldier's hard campaign. (Refer to Job 7:1)

• is accomplished: (Heb. male'ah - מָלְאָה). Meaning "fulfilled," "completed," "full." This term emphatically declares that the full term or precise measure of their suffering has been definitively met, reaching its ordained end by God's sovereign decree.

• that her iniquity: (Heb. 'avonah - עֲוֹנָהּ). Refers to moral perversity, sin, guilt, and importantly, the punishment due to it. It encompasses both the act of rebellion against God and its severe consequences.

• is pardoned: (Heb. nirtsah - נִרְצָה). Meaning "accepted," "favored," "received with pleasure," or "atoned for." In the cultic sense, it refers to a sacrifice accepted by God. Here, it signals complete forgiveness, indicating that their guilt is no longer held against them, leading to renewed divine favor.

• for she hath received: Establishes a divine judgment and an outcome, confirming that a "payment" or reckoning has indeed been made according to God's decree.

• of the LORD's hand: Emphasizes that this entire process of judgment, suffering, and subsequent recompense (blessing) is divinely ordained and administered directly by God Himself, highlighting His ultimate justice and sovereign mercy.

• double: (Heb. kiflayim - כִּפְלַיִם). This significant term does not imply receiving twice the punishment deserved, which would be unjust. Instead, interpretations lean towards two main ideas: (1) The suffering already endured was fully adequate and complete, akin to a debt being fully paid. (2) The coming blessings and comfort from God will be superabundant, a gracious and generous compensation that far exceeds the past suffering and shame. This latter meaning of abundant recompense or restoration is widely accepted (e.g., Isa 61:7; Zech 9:12; Job 42:10). It underscores God's overflowing generosity.

• for all her sins: Explicitly connects the past period of suffering to their transgressions, grounding the divine judgment in justice. Simultaneously, it confirms that the 'double' provision sufficiently covered all their past misdeeds, allowing for a fresh start.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • Speak comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her: This pair of commands highlights a profound paradox: intimate tenderness ("speak to the heart") blended with public urgency and authority ("cry out"). It conveys God's dual message—deeply personal and universally proclaimed—offering gentle reassurance alongside a bold, undeniable declaration of change.
  • that her warfare is accomplished: This phrase proclaims a definitive end to Israel's period of punitive hardship. Their time of difficult service or appointed trial has run its full, God-ordained course. This declares a fixed endpoint to their season of discipline and suffering.
  • that her iniquity is pardoned: This signifies a sovereign divine act of forgiveness, turning away God's wrath and restoring the covenant relationship. It points to a profound legal and spiritual cleansing, with their guilt fully accepted as atoned for, making them acceptable before God again.
  • for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins: This central phrase clarifies the basis for comfort and pardon. It declares that the past suffering was a full and sufficient payment, a complete reckoning for their transgressions. Crucially, the "double" signifies not excessive punishment but rather God's overflowing grace and the superabundant blessing of restoration that He will lavish upon His people, far exceeding their previous distress, demonstrating the fullness of His generous compassion after justice has been served.

Isaiah 40 2 Bonus section

• The Proclaiming Voice: The command to "Comfort, comfort my people" (40:1) and "Speak comfortably... and cry unto her" is likely addressed to the prophet Isaiah himself, or perhaps to prophetic or angelic messengers. This indicates the divine imperative and profound importance of this message to the people.
• The Immutability of God's Word: The declaration that Israel's warfare "is accomplished" and iniquity "is pardoned" speaks to the certainty of God's promises and decrees. Once pronounced, especially in this context, they are unchangeable.
• Ultimate Fulfillment in Christ: While the immediate fulfillment related to the return from Babylonian exile, the themes of ultimate comfort, pardon of sin, and superabundant grace find their perfect and final fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. His atoning sacrifice truly brings an end to the "warfare" against sin for those who believe, securing complete pardon and an inheritance that is immeasurably "double" what we could ever lose or deserve.
• Covenant Fidelity: This verse powerfully illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant, even in judgment. The discipline served its purpose, but His ultimate plan for His people is restoration rooted in mercy.

Isaiah 40 2 Commentary

Isaiah 40:2 serves as the foundational declaration for the "Book of Consolation," emphatically turning the tide from judgment to divine grace. It asserts that Israel's painful "warfare"—her prolonged period of punishment and exile—has run its precisely appointed course and is now definitively concluded by God. More profoundly, their "iniquity" has been completely "pardoned," indicating not merely a cessation of punishment but a deep, spiritual restoration of their relationship with God through complete forgiveness. The perplexing phrase "double for all her sins" is best understood not as God unjustly doubling their punishment, but as an assurance that the suffering already endured fully satisfied the demands of divine justice. Furthermore, it points to God's promised future, an abundant outpouring of comfort, grace, and blessings—a "double portion"—that will immeasurably outweigh all their past sorrows and shame, demonstrating His lavish, redemptive generosity.