Isaiah 40:2
What does Isaiah 40:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 40:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 40:2 means
God's message of comfort expands here to specify the reasons for relief: Jerusalem's time of "warfare" or hardship is over, and her iniquity has been pardoned. The phrase "double for all her sins" does not imply excessive punishment, but rather that her period of suffering and the judgment for her sins has been completed and fully paid, paving the way for complete restoration. This declaration assures the exiles of God's full forgiveness and the end of their disciplinary season.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Speak 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Speak 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Speak 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Say kind words to the heart of Jerusalem, crying out to her that her time of trouble is ended, that her punishment is complete; that she has been rewarded by the Lord's hand twice over for all her sins.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her, That her warfare hath been completed, That accepted hath been her punishment, That she hath received from the hand of Jehovah Double for all her sins.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Speak ye to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her: for her evil is come to an end, her iniquity is forgiven: she hath received of the hand of the Lord double for all her sins.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her time of suffering is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she hath received of Jehovah's hand double for all her sins.
Context
Building on the opening call for comfort, this verse provides the concrete reasons for that comfort—the cessation of affliction and the pardon of sin. It explains *why* comfort is now appropriate, setting the stage for the announcement of God's coming. This verse serves as a declaration of God's grace, leading directly into the preparations for His arrival.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 42:10
And Jehovah turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: and Jehovah gave Job twice as much as he had before.
- Isaiah 35:4
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; he will come and save you.
- Psalms 102:13
Thou wilt arise, and have mercy upon Zion; For it is time to have pity upon her, Yea, the set time is come.
- Revelation 11:15
And the seventh angel sounded; and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said, The kingdom of the world is becomethe kingdomof our Lord, and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever.
- Genesis 34:3
And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel.
- Psalms 32:1
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
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