Isaiah 61:2
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Original Language Analysis
לִקְרֹ֤א
To proclaim
H7121
לִקְרֹ֤א
To proclaim
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 10
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְי֥וֹם
and the day
H3117
וְי֥וֹם
and the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 10
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
לֵאלֹהֵ֑ינוּ
of our God
H430
לֵאלֹהֵ֑ינוּ
of our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 10
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לְנַחֵ֖ם
to comfort
H5162
לְנַחֵ֖ם
to comfort
Strong's:
H5162
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
Cross References
Matthew 5:4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.Isaiah 34:8For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.Isaiah 57:18I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.Jeremiah 31:13Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.Luke 4:19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.1 Thessalonians 2:16Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.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 66:14And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.Isaiah 25:8He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.Isaiah 49:8Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
Historical Context
The Jubilee year (Leviticus 25) released debts and slaves every 50 years, typifying Christ's redemption. But complete fulfillment includes judgment on God's enemies. Jesus' deliberate omission of vengeance language showed His first-coming purpose was salvation, not judgment (John 3:17).
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding Christ's two comings (first for salvation, second for judgment) affect your evangelism urgency?
- What does it mean that you live in the 'acceptable year of the LORD' - the age of grace before vengeance comes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Servant's mission to 'proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God' combines mercy (acceptable year - Jubilee release) with judgment (vengeance). Jesus quoted this in Luke 4:19 but stopped mid-verse - reading only 'acceptable year,' not 'day of vengeance,' because His first advent brings grace, His second brings judgment. This establishes two comings separated by church age.