Isa 40:1-5 | NETfull | STEP | “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.

Isaiah 40:1-5

1 “Comfort, comfort my people,”
says your ^{▼▼ The pronominal suffix is second masculine plural. The identity of the addressee is uncertain: (1) God’s people may be addressed, or (2) the unidentified heralds commanded to comfort Jerusalem.} God.
2 “Speak kindly to ^{▼▼ Heb “speak to the heart of Jerusalem.” Jerusalem is personified as a woman.} Jerusalem, ^{▼▼ For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; Journey of Paul map 1-F4; Journey of Paul map 2-F4; Journey of Paul map 3-F4; Journey of Paul map 4-F4.} and tell her
that her time of warfare is over, ^{▼▼ Heb “that she is filled [with] her warfare.” Some understand צָבָא (tsavah, “warfare”) as meaning “hard service” or “compulsory labor” in this context.}
that her punishment is completed. ^{▼▼ Heb “that her punishment is accepted [as satisfactory].”}
For the Lord has made her pay double ^{▼▼ Heb “for she has received from the hand of the Lord double.” The principle of the double portion in punishment is also seen in Jer 16:18; 17:18 and Rev 18:6. For examples of the double portion in Israelite law, see Exod 22:4, 7, 9 (double restitution by a thief) and Deut 21:17 (double inheritance portion for the firstborn).} for all her sins.”
3 A voice cries out,
“In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord;
construct in the desert a road for our God.
4 Every valley must be elevated,
and every mountain and hill leveled.
The rough terrain will become a level plain,
the rugged landscape a wide valley.
5 The splendor ^{▼▼ Or “glory.” The Lord’s “glory” is his theophanic radiance and royal splendor (see Isa 6:3; 24:23; 35:2; 60:1; 66:18–19).} of the Lord will be revealed,
and all people ^{▼▼ Heb “flesh” (so KJV, ASV, NASB); NAB, NIV “mankind”; TEV “the whole human race.”} will see it at the same time.
For ^{▼▼ Or “indeed.”} the Lord has decreed it.” ^{▼▼ Heb “the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV).}