Isaiah 61 2

Isaiah 61:2 kjv

To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

Isaiah 61:2 nkjv

To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn,

Isaiah 61:2 niv

to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

Isaiah 61:2 esv

to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;

Isaiah 61:2 nlt

He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the LORD's favor has come,
and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies.

Isaiah 61 verses

Isaiah 61 2 Meaning

Isaiah 61:2 unfolds the dual purpose of the Anointed One's mission: a declaration of divine favor for the oppressed and a pronouncement of divine justice for their oppressors. It presents a time of God's redemptive grace for those in need, juxtaposed with an assured future period of righteous retribution against unrighteousness and those who inflict suffering. The verse culminates in the ultimate goal of offering profound solace and comfort to all who grieve and mourn.

Isaiah 61 2 Context

Isaiah 61 stands as a powerful messianic prophecy, often called the "gospel of Isaiah." Following chapters detailing God's judgment and the return from exile, this chapter opens with the Anointed One (traditionally understood as the Messiah) declaring His mission. Verse 2 is integral to this declaration, defining two distinct yet interconnected periods: a time of grace and a time of justice. Historically, it resonated with the Israelites struggling with oppression and longing for liberation and restoration following their exile. It speaks to a divine intervention that brings spiritual and physical renewal to a broken people and a land.

Isaiah 61 2 Word analysis

• To proclaim (לְקְרֹא - lĕqâ·rō): This Hebrew infinitive signifies a formal, authoritative announcement, a public declaration. It implies not merely stating something, but heralding it with divine authority, ensuring it reaches all who need to hear. This proclamation carries the weight of a royal decree.

• the acceptable year (שְׁנַת רָצוֹן - shnat ratson):

  • Year (shanah): A defined period, suggesting a specific timeframe, not necessarily a literal calendar year but a season or era.
  • Acceptable (ratson): This Hebrew term implies favor, good pleasure, delight, goodwill, and divine acceptance. It speaks of a time when God is particularly disposed to show grace, to accept, and to be pleased with His people. It resonates with the concept of the Jubilee Year (Lev 25), a time of release from debt, freedom for slaves, and restoration of property, symbolizing a profound period of mercy.

• of the Lord (לַיהוָה - laYHWH): Clearly designates Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, as the author and source of this "acceptable year," emphasizing its divine origin and sovereign power.

• and the day (וְיוֹם - vĕyom): The conjunction "and" links this with the previous phrase, but "day" (yom) here often denotes a significant, appointed time of God's action, not necessarily a 24-hour period. It contrasts in character and outcome with the "year of the Lord's favor."

• of vengeance (נָקָם - naqam): This is not human revenge but divine justice, retribution, and recompense. It signifies God's righteous response to injustice, oppression, and rebellion against His will, where wrongdoers face consequences. It assures that ultimate justice will prevail under God's sovereignty.

• of our God (לֵאלֹהֵינוּ - lēloheinu): Reinforces the personal, covenantal relationship; this is the specific God of Israel, who acts on behalf of His people, upholding justice and executing His righteous judgment.

• to comfort (וּלְנַחֵם - ûl'nahem): This infinitive indicates a purpose. It means to console, bring relief, provide solace, and soothe sorrow. It's a profound, emotional support offered to those who grieve.

• all that mourn (כָּל־אֲבֵלִים - kol-avĕlîm): The universal quantifier "all" points to a broad scope. "Mourn" (avĕlîm) refers to those grieving deeply, suffering loss, sorrow, oppression, or distress. It signifies both internal lament and outward signs of grief due to brokenness in life or sin.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord: This phrase sets forth a period initiated by God Himself, where His good pleasure and favor are abundantly available. It's an era of divine opportunity for redemption, grace, and new beginnings. This "year" speaks to a specific season in God's redemptive plan where access to His grace is particularly pronounced.
  • and the day of vengeance of our God: This juxtaposes the grace with future judgment. While grace is extended, God's righteous nature also demands that sin and injustice not go unaddressed forever. This "day" emphasizes a distinct, definite moment (or period) for divine recompense. The "our God" reinforces the personal stake God has in righting wrongs committed against His people and His holiness.
  • to comfort all that mourn: This final clause defines the compassionate outcome of the Messiah's mission for those receptive. It promises profound consolation, healing, and restoration for those suffering, acknowledging their pain and addressing it with divine compassion. This is the positive consequence of God's justice and grace, leading to the well-being of the afflicted.

Isaiah 61 2 Bonus section

The deliberate stopping point of Jesus in Luke 4:19 before "and the day of vengeance of our God" is profoundly significant. It clarifies the "already-not-yet" aspect of God's kingdom. The acceptable year of the Lord was inaugurated by His first coming, offering grace and salvation, extending God's favor to a world lost in sin. The "day of vengeance," however, awaits His second coming when all things will be fully consummated, and divine justice will be unequivocally administered. This indicates two distinct phases in the Messiah's mission, separated by an inter-advent age. Believers are currently living in this prolonged "acceptable year" of grace, but the ultimate day of God's vengeance against all evil is certain and awaits its fulfillment. This distinction highlights God's patience and desire for all to come to repentance before the full wrath is poured out.

Isaiah 61 2 Commentary

Isaiah 61:2 reveals the twofold character of God's interaction with humanity: first, a profound period of grace and acceptance, "the acceptable year of the Lord," characterized by divine favor and opportunity for reconciliation. This "year" points to a season of salvation where God's hand is extended to release from bondage and debt, much like the Jubilee. This message was precisely what Jesus highlighted at the beginning of His ministry, identifying Himself as the Anointed One who fulfills this very prophecy (Lk 4:18-19), but notably stopping before the second part of the verse. His first coming ushered in this era of divine favor, proclaiming good news, healing, and freedom for those in spiritual and physical bondage.

However, the verse does not end there. It moves to "the day of vengeance of our God." This distinct "day" signifies a separate, appointed time of divine retribution against all injustice, sin, and those who oppose God and oppress His people. This is not arbitrary or malicious vengeance, but the righteous execution of divine justice. While Jesus omitted this phrase at His first advent to underscore the gracious nature of His initial mission, it anticipates His second coming, when He will return as Judge to bring full justice and settle all accounts, fulfilling this aspect of the prophecy (Rev 19:15).

Ultimately, both aspects of God's character—grace and justice—culminate in the goal: "to comfort all that mourn." Whether through the freedom offered by grace or the vindication achieved through justice, God's aim is the consolation and restoration of His afflicted people. This holistic vision emphasizes that God's plan is comprehensive, addressing both the sin that separates and the suffering that results from a broken world, all to bring deep and lasting comfort. This prophetic promise extends beyond mere emotional soothing to include spiritual and relational restoration.