King James Version

What Does Isaiah 40:2 Mean?

Isaiah 40:2 in the King James Version says “Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: fo... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 40 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. comfortably: Heb. to the heart warfare: or, appointed time

Isaiah 40:2 · KJV


Context

1

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

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. comfortably: Heb. to the heart warfare: or, appointed time

3

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

4

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: straight: or, a straight place plain: or, a plain place


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding God's perfect justice deepen your appreciation for His mercy?
  2. What does it mean that your spiritual warfare is accomplished through Christ's finished work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
דַּבְּר֞וּ1 of 19

Speak

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

עַל2 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לֵ֤ב3 of 19

ye comfortably

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙4 of 19

to Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְקִרְא֣וּ5 of 19

and cry

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלֶ֔יהָ6 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כִּ֤י7 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מָֽלְאָה֙8 of 19

is accomplished

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

צְבָאָ֔הּ9 of 19

unto her that her warfare

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

כִּ֥י10 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נִרְצָ֖ה11 of 19

is pardoned

H7521

to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt

עֲוֹנָ֑הּ12 of 19

that her iniquity

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

כִּ֤י13 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לָקְחָה֙14 of 19

for she hath received

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִיַּ֣ד15 of 19

hand

H3027

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

יְהוָ֔ה16 of 19

of the LORD'S

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּפְלַ֖יִם17 of 19

double

H3718

a duplicate

בְּכָל18 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חַטֹּאתֶֽיהָ׃19 of 19

for all her sins

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 40:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 40:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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