Isaiah 66:13
As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse isn't just about general comfort; it paints a picture of a grown child returning home weary and wounded, finding solace in their mother's embrace. God's comfort for His people is that deep, personal, and nurturing, like a mother to her adult son, offering a refuge and restoration in Jerusalem.
This passage shifts from God's judgment and rejection of false worship to a tender promise of comfort for His people. Following the pronouncements against those who offer empty rituals, the Lord declares His intention to comfort those who "tremble at His word," contrasting them with the hypocritical majority. This promise of solace culminates in the image of divine maternal affection, assuring them of restoration and joy within a renewed Jerusalem.
Ever felt like no one truly gets you? Imagine a comfort so deep, so personal, it surpasses even the most tender human relationship.
This verse paints an incredible picture of God's comfort. It's not just a general sense of peace, but a profound, intimate solace.
A Mother's Unrivaled Tenderness
Scripture often uses the image of a mother's love to describe God's care. Here, Isaiah compares His comfort to the way a mother comforts her child. This isn't just about soothing a scraped knee; it's about the deep, instinctive, and unwavering affection a mother has for her child, especially when they are hurt or distressed.
More Than Just Words
Commentaries highlight that this isn't just about a quick fix. It's about a comfort that is all-encompassing, drawing on the deepest wells of compassion. It’s a comfort for those who have been through long periods of exile, like a grown son returning home wounded and weary, finding solace in his mother's embrace. God's comfort meets us in our deepest needs.
Why is Jerusalem specifically mentioned as the place where this profound comfort will be found? It's more than just a city; it's a symbol.
The verse concludes with a powerful declaration: 'you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.' This isn't merely about geographical location; it points to a deeper theological reality.
A Symbol of God's Presence
Jerusalem, especially in this context at the end of Isaiah, represents the restored presence of God among His people. After periods of devastation and exile, the promise of comfort in Jerusalem signifies God's faithfulness to re-establish His dwelling place and His people.
Experiencing God's Restoration
To be comforted 'in Jerusalem' means to experience God's solace within the context of His redemptive plan and His renewed relationship with His people. It's about finding healing, peace, and security in the reality of God's presence and His promises being fulfilled.
Understand the original words
nacham · Hebrew Verb
A term describing the action of providing encouragement, relief, and strengthening in times of distress. It is deeply relational, mirroring the intimate care a mother provides for her child, and represents God's active ministry to the brokenhearted.
Yerushalayim · Hebrew Proper Noun
A central place in Israel’s theology symbolizing the dwelling place of God, the site of worship, and the ultimate focus of God’s redemptive purposes for His people. It represents the heart of God's kingdom and His presence among His covenant nation.
This comforting promise from Isaiah was given to a people who had experienced the profound devastation of losing their city and their Temple. It speaks of a future restoration that transcends the mere rebuilding of physical structures, offering a deep, maternal comfort from God himself.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and deport a significant portion of the population, plunging the nation into exile and despair.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Edict
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Judeans, to return to their homelands.
516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
The returning exiles, after much struggle, complete and dedicate the Second Temple in Jerusalem, a symbol of renewed hope but lacking the glory of Solomon's Temple.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah leads a mission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, symbolizing the restoration of the city's physical and spiritual defenses after the exile.
This passage also uses the powerful image of a mother's unwavering love and tenderness to describe God's steadfast affection for His people, mirroring the comfort offered in Isaiah 66:13.
Isaiah 40:1This verse directly speaks of speaking 'comfortably' to Jerusalem, echoing the theme of divine comfort and reassurance that will be extended to the city and its inhabitants.
Jeremiah 31:13Here, God promises to turn sorrow into joy and comfort, transforming mourning into gladness, which directly relates to the comforting restoration promised in Jerusalem.
Psalm 137:1This psalm vividly portrays the sorrow of exile in Jerusalem, highlighting the deep need for the kind of comfort that Isaiah 66:13 promises when they are restored to their city.
Matthew 11:28Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest, reflecting the ultimate comfort and solace that God offers to His people.
jfbIsaiah 66:13: "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem."
- mother—(Isa 49:15).comforteth—(Isa 40:1, 2).
ellicottIsaiah 66:13: "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem."
(13) One whom his mother comforteth . . . —The image of maternal love, with which the prophet’s mind is full, is presented in yet another aspect. The love which Zion gives, the love which her children receive from the nations, are both but shadows of the infinite tenderness of Jehovah. In this instance the object of the mother’s love that comforts is not the child at the breast, but…
This verse isn't just about general comfort; it paints a picture of a grown child returning home weary and wounded, finding solace in their mother's embrace. God's comfort for His people is that deep, personal, and nurturing, like a mother to her adult son, offering a refuge and restoration in Jerusalem.
This passage shifts from God's judgment and rejection of false worship to a tender promise of comfort for His people. Following the pronouncements against those who offer empty rituals, the Lord declares His intention to comfort those who "tremble at His word," contrasting them with the hypocritical majority. This promise of solace culminates in the image of divine maternal affection, assuring them of restoration and joy within a renewed Jerusalem.
This passage shifts from God's judgment and rejection of false worship to a tender promise of comfort for His people. Following the pronouncements against those who offer empty rituals, the Lord declares His intention to comfort those who "tremble at His word," contrasting them with the hypocritical majority. This promise of solace culminates in the image of divine maternal affection, assuring them of restoration and joy within a renewed Jerusalem.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Isaiah 66:13 is available in the Sola app.
c. 37 BC - AD 44
Herod the Great's Reign and Temple Expansion
Herod the Great, a client king of Rome, undertakes a massive rebuilding and expansion of the Second Temple, aiming to restore Jerusalem's grandeur.
c. AD 70
Destruction of the Second Temple
During the First Jewish-Roman War, the Romans destroy Jerusalem and the Second Temple, marking another devastating loss for the Jewish people.
"As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem." — This verse isn't just about general comfort; it paints a picture of a grown child returning home weary and wounded, finding solace in their mother's embrace. God's comfort for His people is that deep…
