Isaiah Chapter 66 · Verse 13

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

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

Original Language Analysis

כְּאִ֕ישׁ As one H376
כְּאִ֕ישׁ As one
Strong's: H376
Word #: 1 of 9
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 2 of 9
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אִמּ֖וֹ whom his mother H517
אִמּ֖וֹ whom his mother
Strong's: H517
Word #: 3 of 9
a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])
תְּנֻחָֽמוּ׃ comforteth H5162
תְּנֻחָֽמוּ׃ comforteth
Strong's: H5162
Word #: 4 of 9
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
כֵּ֤ן H3651
כֵּ֤ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 5 of 9
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אָֽנֹכִי֙ H595
אָֽנֹכִי֙
Strong's: H595
Word #: 6 of 9
i
תְּנֻחָֽמוּ׃ comforteth H5162
תְּנֻחָֽמוּ׃ comforteth
Strong's: H5162
Word #: 7 of 9
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
וּבִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם in Jerusalem H3389
וּבִירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם in Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 8 of 9
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
תְּנֻחָֽמוּ׃ comforteth H5162
תְּנֻחָֽמוּ׃ comforteth
Strong's: H5162
Word #: 9 of 9
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

Analysis & Commentary

God makes an extraordinary promise: "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem." The comparison to maternal comfort is tender and intimate. The Hebrew nacham (comfort) appears three times, emphasizing certainty and completeness. God Himself provides the comfort, comparing His care to a mother consoling her child. This reveals divine compassion—God is not distant or uncaring but intimately involved in comforting His people. The location "in Jerusalem" grounds this promise historically while pointing to eschatological fulfillment. From a Reformed perspective, this reveals God's compassionate character. While primarily revealed as Father, God's care includes maternal-like tenderness (Deuteronomy 32:18, Psalm 131:2, Matthew 23:37). The Holy Spirit is the Comforter (John 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7), applying Christ's redemptive work to provide comprehensive consolation. Believers experience divine comfort in the church ("Jerusalem"), the community of faith where God's presence dwells.

Historical Context

The exiled community desperately needed comfort after Jerusalem's destruction and decades of captivity (Isaiah 40:1, 51:3, 12). The promise looked to restoration and beyond. Jesus provided comfort through His ministry (Matthew 11:28-30) and promised the Spirit as Comforter (John 14:16-18). The church experiences divine comfort through the Spirit's ministry (Acts 9:31, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 7:6). Complete fulfillment comes in the New Jerusalem where God personally wipes away all tears (Revelation 21:3-4). Then comfort is permanent, not temporary—all sources of sorrow eternally removed.

Questions for Reflection