Bible Strands
Isaiah 66:13
As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you, and you will be consoled over Jerusalem.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses the exiled community of Israel in the closing chapter of Isaiah, immediately after promising to pour out peace and wealth like a river to Jerusalem. The declaration functions as a direct reassurance to the nation as they await divine judgment on Jerusalem’s enemies and the vindication of His servants.
The words — The Hebrew verb תְּנַחֲמֶנּוּ (tenachamennu) translates literally as "she comforts him," while אָֽנֹכִי אֲנַחֶמְכֶם (ani anachemchem) means "I will comfort you." Both verbs share the root נחם (nacham), which denotes the act of providing consolation or relief from distress.
The thread — The consolation theme repeats in Isaiah 40:1’s command to comfort God’s people and Isaiah 51:3’s promise that the LORD will comfort Zion. The apostle Paul later applies this same divine comfort to believers in 2 Corinthians 1:4.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to acknowledge that God’s promised relief operates with the direct, personal intimacy of a mother’s consolation, not merely through national restoration. Audiences must accept that divine comfort is administered to the community precisely as Jerusalem’s vindication is revealed.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
- Isaiah 51:3 For the LORD will comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song.
- Isaiah 40:1 “Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7 On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children.
- Isaiah 65:18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight.
- Isaiah 66:10 Be glad for Jerusalem and rejoice over her, all who love her. Rejoice greatly with her, all who mourn over her,
- Psalms 137:6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Jerusalem as my greatest joy!