Isaiah 40:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Speak {H1696} ye comfortably {H3820} to Jerusalem {H3389}, and cry {H7121} unto her, that her warfare {H6635} is accomplished {H4390}, that her iniquity {H5771} is pardoned {H7521}: for she hath received {H3947} of the LORD'S {H3068} hand {H3027} double {H3718} for all her sins {H2403}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Tell Yerushalayim to take heart; proclaim to her that she has completed her time of service, that her guilt has been paid off, that she has received at the hand of ADONAI double for all her sins."

Berean Standard Bible

“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her forced labor has been completed; her iniquity has been pardoned. For she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.”

American Standard Version

Speak 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 40:2 initiates a profound shift in the prophetic book, delivering a divine mandate for comfort and restoration to Jerusalem. It declares that the city's period of arduous discipline and suffering, likened to a military campaign, has reached its conclusion. Furthermore, it proclaims a complete pardon for her iniquity, asserting that she has received a full and sufficient recompense for her sins from the hand of the LORD, signaling an imminent season of grace, healing, and abundant blessing after a time of judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 40 marks a dramatic transition in the book of Isaiah, moving from the severe pronouncements of judgment and warning found in chapters 1-39 to messages of profound comfort, hope, and restoration that characterize chapters 40-66. This verse serves as the opening declaration of this latter section, often referred to as the "Book of Comfort" or "Second Isaiah." The preceding chapters detailed Jerusalem's rebellion, God's righteous indignation, and the impending Babylonian exile as a disciplinary measure. Chapter 39, in particular, concludes with Hezekiah's encounter with Babylonian envoys, foreshadowing the very exile from which comfort is now being promised. Thus, Isaiah 40:1-2 stands as a divine interjection, shifting the narrative from impending doom to the dawn of divine consolation, setting the tone for the glorious promises of return, redemption, and the coming Servant of the Lord.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy in Isaiah 40 is primarily addressed to the Jewish people facing or enduring the Babylonian exile (c. 586-538 BC). This period was one of immense national trauma, characterized by the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, the cessation of national sovereignty, and forced displacement. The people were living in a foreign land, under foreign rule, experiencing profound despair and questioning God's faithfulness and their covenant status. Culturally, the concept of "warfare" (or "hard service") would have resonated deeply with their experience of forced labor, military subjugation, and the arduous nature of exile. The idea of "iniquity being pardoned" and receiving "double" would speak to a people burdened by guilt and longing for reconciliation and restoration to their homeland and their God, much like a prisoner completing their sentence or a soldier finishing their tour of duty.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several pivotal themes that will be expounded throughout the "Book of Comfort." The foremost is **Divine Consolation**, emphasizing God's tender compassion and His active desire to comfort His afflicted people after a period of necessary discipline. It highlights the theme of **Sovereign Control over History**, demonstrating that even the period of punishment was ordained and has a divinely appointed end. The declaration of **Complete Pardon and Forgiveness** is central, signifying God's willingness to reconcile with His people, not based on their merit, but on His grace. This paves the way for the theme of **Restoration and Abundant Blessing**, where the "double" signifies not merely an end to suffering, but a superabundant return of favor and prosperity, echoing promises found in passages like [Job 42:10](/job/42-10 "Job's Restoration") and [Zechariah 9:12](/zechariah/9-12 "Prisoners of Hope"). These themes collectively underscore God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, even in the face of His people's unfaithfulness, and His ultimate desire for their redemption and flourishing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Comfortably (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** This word, literally meaning "heart," is used here adverbially in the phrase "speak to the heart." According to H3820, it encompasses feelings, will, intellect, and the center of anything. Therefore, to "speak comfortably" means to speak intimately, empathetically, and profoundly to the very core of Jerusalem's being, addressing her deepest pain, fear, and despair with words of solace, encouragement, and hope. It is not a superficial comfort but one that penetrates to the soul.
* **Warfare (Hebrew, _tsâbâʼ'_):** From H6635, this term refers to "a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship)." In this context, "her warfare" signifies Jerusalem's appointed period of hard service, tribulation, or military duty—the decreed time of punishment and suffering under God's judgment, particularly the Babylonian exile. It implies a fixed, finite period of hardship.
* **Pardoned (Hebrew, _râtsâh'_):** Derived from H7521, meaning "to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt; (be) accept(-able), accomplish, set affection, approve, consent with, delight (self), enjoy, (be, have a) favour(-able), like, observe, pardon, (be, have, take) please(-ure), reconcile self." When applied to iniquity, it means the sin has been paid for, accepted, or fully propitiated, making way for reconciliation and divine favor. It signifies that the penalty has been satisfied and God's anger appeased.
* **Double (Hebrew, _kephel'_):** From H3718, this simply means "a duplicate; double." In this context, it is crucial to interpret it not as double punishment (which would contradict the message of comfort and pardon) but as a complete, full, or even superabundant measure. It can signify that Jerusalem has fully experienced the deserved punishment, or more commonly, that God will give back to His people "double" in blessings and restoration compared to the suffering they endured, emphasizing His generosity and ultimate desire for restoration beyond mere justice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem,"**: This is a divine command to the prophets (or heavenly messengers) to deliver a message of deep, heartfelt consolation to the suffering city. "Comfortably" (Hebrew: `al-lêb`, "to the heart") signifies an intimate, empathetic, and profound soothing of her pain and despair, going beyond mere words to touch her very core.
* **"and cry unto her,"**: This amplifies the urgency and public nature of the message. It's not a whisper but a proclamation, a loud declaration designed to reach every corner of the afflicted populace, ensuring the message of hope is heard clearly and widely.
* **"that her warfare is accomplished,"**: This declares the end of Jerusalem's appointed period of hard service or military campaign, which is a metaphor for her time of divine discipline and suffering, particularly the Babylonian exile. The term "accomplished" (Hebrew: `mâlêʼ`, H4390, "to fill or be full of, be at an end") signifies that the full measure of her disciplinary period has been completed.
* **"that her iniquity is pardoned:"**: This is a direct declaration of divine forgiveness. The Hebrew word `râtsâh` (H7521) implies that the sin has been accepted, propitiated, or atoned for, signifying that the debt of sin has been fully addressed and God's favor is now extended, paving the way for reconciliation.
* **"for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins."**: This concluding clause explains the basis for the pardon and the end of suffering. "Double" (Hebrew: `kephel`, H3718) here does not mean double punishment, but rather signifies a full, complete, and perhaps even overflowing measure of recompense. It can be interpreted as Jerusalem having fully endured the necessary discipline, or more optimistically, that God, in His abundant grace, will now bestow blessings and restoration in superabundance, far exceeding the past suffering, demonstrating His lavish generosity.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 40:2 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of comfort and hope. **Personification** is prominent, as Jerusalem is addressed as a suffering individual ("her warfare," "her iniquity," "she hath received"), allowing the prophet to speak to the city with tender intimacy and directness. The phrase "her warfare is accomplished" utilizes **Metaphor**, comparing the period of divine judgment and exile to a military campaign or a period of arduous service, emphasizing its fixed duration and the completion of a difficult assignment. The concluding phrase, "she hath received... double for all her sins," employs **Hyperbole** or **Intensification**. While "double" literally means twice, in this context, it functions to convey the completeness and sufficiency of the judgment received, or more likely, the superabundant nature of the restoration and blessings God is about to bestow, far outweighing the previous suffering. This rhetorical flourish underscores the magnitude of God's grace and generosity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 40:2 is a cornerstone of biblical theology, powerfully articulating God's character as both just and merciful. It reveals that divine judgment, though severe, is not eternal but has a divinely appointed end, always serving a redemptive purpose. The declaration of "iniquity is pardoned" underscores the profound truth of God's capacity and desire for forgiveness and reconciliation, even after His people's deep rebellion. The concept of receiving "double" speaks to God's abundant grace, promising not just an end to suffering but a lavish outpouring of restoration and blessing that far surpasses the measure of past affliction. This verse sets the stage for the New Testament understanding of God's ultimate solution to sin and suffering through Christ.

* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return from Exile"): For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill my good word to you and bring you back to this place.
* [Job 42:10](/job/42-10 "Job 42:10 - God Restores Job's Fortunes"): And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends, and the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
* [Zechariah 9:12](/zechariah/9-12 "Zechariah 9:12 - Return to the Stronghold"): Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 40:2 offers profound comfort and enduring hope for all who have experienced periods of discipline, suffering, or hardship. It assures us that God's judgment is not endless, and His ultimate desire is to bring comfort and restoration. For believers, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that even in the midst of our deepest trials, there is an appointed end, and God's faithfulness will lead us to a season of comfort and abundant blessing. It encourages us to trust in God's timing and His redemptive purposes, knowing that He is sovereign over our suffering and that His grace is always greater than our sin. This passage calls us to receive God's comfort personally and, in turn, to extend that same deep, heart-to-heart consolation to others who are suffering, becoming agents of His comfort in a broken world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of God speaking "comfortably" or "to the heart" resonate with your understanding of His character, especially during times of personal struggle?**
* **What "warfare" or period of hardship might you be experiencing or have experienced, and how does the promise of its "accomplishment" bring you hope?**
* **In what ways does the declaration of "iniquity pardoned" offer a foundation for peace and assurance in your life?**
* **How does the concept of receiving "double" for sins, interpreted as abundant restoration, challenge or affirm your view of God's generosity and grace?**

### FAQ
**What does "speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem" truly mean?**

Answer: The Hebrew phrase behind "speak comfortably" is `dalberu al leb` (דַּבְּרוּ עַל־לֵב), which literally translates to "speak to the heart." This signifies a message of profound, intimate, and empathetic consolation. It's not a superficial or detached comfort, but one that penetrates to the deepest emotional and spiritual core of the listener. It implies understanding their pain, acknowledging their suffering, and offering genuine solace and hope directly to their inner being. It's a call for compassionate communication from God's messengers to His afflicted people.

**What is the "warfare" that is accomplished?**

Answer: The "warfare" (Hebrew: `tsâbâʼ`, H6635) refers metaphorically to Jerusalem's period of hard service, tribulation, or appointed time of punishment and suffering. In the immediate historical context, this primarily points to the Babylonian exile—a time of national humiliation, displacement, and severe discipline from God due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience. The declaration that this "warfare is accomplished" means that the full measure of this disciplinary period has been completed; the sentence has been served, and the time for divine favor and restoration has arrived. It signifies the end of God's active judgment against them.

**Does "she hath received... double for all her sins" mean double punishment?**

Answer: No, in the context of comfort and pardon, "double" (Hebrew: `kephel`, H3718) does not mean double punishment. Such an interpretation would contradict the overarching message of grace and restoration in Isaiah 40. Instead, it is understood in two primary ways, both positive:
* **Completeness/Sufficiency of Punishment:** It signifies that Jerusalem has fully and completely experienced the measure of punishment due, satisfying divine justice. The account is settled.
* **Abundant Restoration/Blessing:** More commonly and consistent with the "Book of Comfort," it means that God, in His abundant grace, will give back to His people "double" in blessings, favor, and restoration compared to the suffering they endured. This emphasizes God's generosity and His ultimate desire to restore beyond mere justice, as seen in examples like [Job 42:10](/job/42-10 "Job's Restoration") where Job receives double his former possessions after his trials, or [Zechariah 9:12](/zechariah/9-12 "Prisoners of Hope") promising double restoration for the "prisoners of hope." It is a promise of superabundant grace following a period of discipline.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 40:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "warfare" of humanity, our arduous service under the dominion of sin and death, is definitively "accomplished" through Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross. He bore the full measure of God's righteous judgment against sin, thereby bringing an end to the spiritual "exile" and alienation from God. Our "iniquity is pardoned" not by our own suffering or meritorious works, but entirely by the finished work of Christ, whose blood fully propitiated God's wrath and secured our forgiveness (as declared in [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ's Propitiation") and [Colossians 1:14](/colossians/1-14 "Colossians 1:14 - Redemption Through His Blood")). Furthermore, the promise that Jerusalem "hath received... double for all her sins" finds its spiritual reality in the superabundant grace and blessings poured out upon believers in Christ. We do not receive double punishment, but rather "double" in terms of spiritual riches, eternal life, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and an inheritance that far surpasses the temporal consequences of sin. Through Christ, we receive "grace upon grace" ([John 1:16](/john/1-16 "John 1:16 - Grace Upon Grace")), a peace that surpasses all understanding ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - Peace of God")), and a reconciliation that brings us into intimate fellowship with God, fulfilling the deepest meaning of speaking "comfortably to Jerusalem" by speaking peace to the hearts of all who believe ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Christ Our Peace")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zechariah 9:12

¶ Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare [that] I will render double unto thee;

Isaiah 61:7

For 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.

Hosea 2:14

¶ Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.

Jeremiah 33:8

And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.

Jeremiah 33:9

And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it.

Revelation 18:6

Reward 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 43:25

I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.