Isa 40:2 | NETfull | STEP | “Speak kindly to Jerusalem, and tell her that her time of warfare is over, that her punishment is completed. For the Lord has made her pay double for all her sins.”

Isaiah 40:2

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.”