Isaiah 40:2
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.
Original Language Analysis
דַּבְּר֞וּ
Speak
H1696
דַּבְּר֞וּ
Speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 19
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לֵ֤ב
ye comfortably
H3820
לֵ֤ב
ye comfortably
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
3 of 19
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
to Jerusalem
H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙
to Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
4 of 19
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וְקִרְא֣וּ
and cry
H7121
וְקִרְא֣וּ
and cry
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
5 of 19
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מָֽלְאָה֙
is accomplished
H4390
מָֽלְאָה֙
is accomplished
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
8 of 19
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
צְבָאָ֔הּ
unto her that her warfare
H6635
צְבָאָ֔הּ
unto her that her warfare
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
9 of 19
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נִרְצָ֖ה
is pardoned
H7521
נִרְצָ֖ה
is pardoned
Strong's:
H7521
Word #:
11 of 19
to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לָקְחָה֙
for she hath received
H3947
לָקְחָה֙
for she hath received
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
14 of 19
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
מִיַּ֣ד
hand
H3027
מִיַּ֣ד
hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
15 of 19
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD'S
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD'S
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Zechariah 9:12Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;Hosea 2:14Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.Isaiah 61:7For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.Revelation 18:6Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.Isaiah 44:22I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.Jeremiah 16:18And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.Isaiah 43:25I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.Habakkuk 2:3For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.Isaiah 35:4Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.Isaiah 12:1And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
Historical Context
Jerusalem's warfare refers to the 70-year Babylonian captivity as decreed in Jeremiah 25:11-12. The completion of this period would herald Cyrus's decree allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the temple.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding God's perfect justice deepen your appreciation for His mercy?
- What does it mean that your spiritual warfare is accomplished through Christ's finished work?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Hebrew 'malah' (fulfilled/completed) indicates that Jerusalem's punishment has fully satisfied divine justice. The doubling of sins receiving double punishment demonstrates the completeness of judgment, not excess—God's justice is perfect. This verse prophetically points to Christ bearing double our penalty: our sin's guilt and its punishment.