Isaiah 66 13

Isaiah 66:13 kjv

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

Isaiah 66:13 nkjv

As one whom his mother comforts, So I will comfort you; And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem."

Isaiah 66:13 niv

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem."

Isaiah 66:13 esv

As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

Isaiah 66:13 nlt

I will comfort you there in Jerusalem
as a mother comforts her child."

Isaiah 66 verses

Isaiah 66 13 Meaning

This verse offers immense comfort and reassurance, painting a picture of divine care and nurturing. It states that the LORD will comfort Zion, the beloved city, just as a mother comforts her child. This divine consolation extends to all who mourn, signifying a personal and profound empathy from God towards His people in their distress.

Isaiah 66 13 Context

This verse concludes the final chapter of Isaiah, which is rich with themes of judgment and restoration. The immediate context focuses on God’s impending judgment upon the nations and His rebellious people. However, this judgment is framed by the ultimate promise of a renewed Jerusalem and a redeemed remnant who will experience lasting peace and divine favor. The verse specifically addresses Jerusalem, personified as Zion, which has endured hardship and sorrow. This comfort is not merely external but deeply relational, mirroring the most intimate human connection.

Isaiah 66 13 Word analysis

• כָּאִמָּה (k'immah) - "as his mother"
  • A preposition "כְּ" (kə) meaning "as" or "like" prefixed to "אֵם" (em), meaning "mother." This comparison is significant as a mother's nurture is characterized by deep affection, attentiveness, and care.
• כֵּן (ken) - "so"
  • An adverb indicating manner or result, linking the divine action to the simile of the mother’s comfort.
• אנחם (anoḥam) - "I will comfort you"
  • The verb is from the root "נָחַם" (naḥam), which signifies "to comfort," "to console," or "to have compassion." The prefix "א" (a-) indicates the first-person singular future tense.
• יַֽנִּיגְתֶּם (yaniġtetem) - "your sorrow"
  • From the root "יָגַע" (yāḡa), meaning "to be weary," "to toil," or "to grieve." The possessive suffix "-תֶּם" (-tem) denotes "your" (plural). This refers to the hardship and distress experienced.
• ושָׁם (wəšām) - "and there"
  • The conjunction "וְ" (wə) meaning "and" combined with "שָּׁם" (šām) meaning "there." This indicates the location where this divine comfort will be experienced, implicitly in Zion.
• יִתְנַחַם (yitnaḥam) - "shall be comforted"
  • The Hithpael (reflexive/passive) stem of "נָחַם" (naḥam). It conveys a passive sense of receiving comfort.

words-group by words-group analysis

• "As one whom his mother comforts": This opening phrase establishes a powerful analogy. A mother's comfort is primal, innate, and unconditional. It speaks of soothing, nurturing, and bringing peace to a distressed child.
• "so I will comfort you": The LORD unequivocally equates His own comforting action with the depth and nature of a mother’s comfort. This highlights the intimacy and certainty of God’s care.
• "and in Jerusalem shall you be comforted": The locus of this comfort is specified as Jerusalem. This points to a restoration of the city and its inhabitants, moving from a place of sorrow to a place of divine solace.
• "in its stones": This figurative language emphasizes that the comfort extends to the very fabric of the city, suggesting a complete renewal and blessing that permeates the physical and spiritual existence of Jerusalem and its people. The foundation and structure are infused with God’s presence and peace.

Isaiah 66 13 Bonus section

The imagery of a mother comforting her child is prevalent throughout Scripture, underscoring God's maternal tenderness. While "mother" is a human analogy, it does not imply God is female. Rather, it draws upon the most profound known source of love and care to describe divine affection. This specific verse, as the final comforting promise in Isaiah, anticipates the complete and eternal comfort promised in the New Jerusalem, where all tears will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4). The comfort described is both immediate and eschatological, applying to believers throughout their earthly sojourn and finding its ultimate fulfillment in the presence of God. This passage reassures those who feel the pangs of loss and suffering that divine compassion is actively at work, providing the very essence of solace.

Isaiah 66 13 Commentary

Isaiah 66:13 is a beautiful declaration of God’s tender mercies toward His people, particularly Zion. The analogy of a mother’s comfort underscores the deeply personal and nurturing aspect of God’s relationship with His redeemed. After passages of judgment and the anticipation of new heavens and a new earth, this verse focuses on the practical application of God’s salvific work – the emotional and spiritual restoration of His people. This isn't a generic, detached comfort but an intimate, all-encompassing solace that is inherent to the divine character. It reassures those who mourn their sins, their suffering, or the current state of desolation that God personally intervenes to heal and console. The comfort is so profound it extends to the very stones of Jerusalem, signifying the complete and utter renewal of God’s presence and favor upon His restored city and people.