Isaiah 40:1
What does Isaiah 40:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 40:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 40:1 means
This verse opens with a divine command for tenderness and assurance. God emphatically instructs someone, likely the prophets, to repeatedly bring comfort to His people, Israel. After a period of judgment and exile, these words signal a dramatic shift towards restoration and divine favor. The double emphasis on "comfort ye, comfort ye" underscores the depth of God's compassion and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, assuring them that a new, hopeful chapter is about to begin.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Give comfort, give comfort, to my people, says your God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Comfort ye, comfort ye, My people, saith your God.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Be comforted, be comforted, my people, saith your God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith yourGod.
Context
This verse initiates a significant shift in the book of Isaiah, moving from prophecies of judgment to messages of hope and consolation. It sets the tone for the entire second half of the book, establishing God's benevolent intention toward His people after a period of hardship. Coming after chapters of warning, it introduces a radical change in God's address.
v.1This passage
v.2Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem; and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she hath received of Jehovah’s hand double for all her sins.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 51:3
For Jehovah hath comforted Zion; he hath comforted all her waste places, and hath made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Jehovah; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
- Isaiah 62:11
Behold, Jehovah hath proclaimed unto the end of the earth, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:18
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
- Isaiah 41:10
fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
- 2 Corinthians 1:4
who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
- Isaiah 65:13
Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be put to shame;
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