Isaiah 61:2 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 61:2 mean?

Isaiah 61:2 describes a message declaring both a special time of God’s favor—called “the acceptable year of the LORD”—and a coming day when God will bring justice, described as “the day of vengeance of our God.” The verse also promises comfort for those who are grieving.

In Isaiah 61:2, the prophet Isaiah is speaking to people who have suffered loss and hardship, likely Israelites returning from exile or facing oppression. The verse balances hope and warning: it announces a period when God will show kindness and restore people, but also a time when God will set things right by dealing with wrongdoing. The promise to “comfort all that mourn” shows God’s care for those who are hurting.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 61:2

• “Proclaim” (קָרָא, qara): This word means to call out or announce publicly. Here, it emphasizes that the message is meant to be heard by everyone, not kept secret.
• “Acceptable” (רָצוֹן, ratson): This word often means favor or goodwill. The “acceptable year” is a time when God is especially gracious and willing to bless.
• “Vengeance” (נָקָם, naqam): This word means retribution or justice. It does not only mean anger or punishment, but the idea of setting things right when wrong has been done.
• “Comfort” (נָחַם, nacham): This word means to give relief or ease sorrow. It shows that God’s response to suffering is not just justice, but also deep compassion.

Why Isaiah 61:2 matters

• Isaiah 61:2 clarifies that God’s work includes both mercy and justice—He brings both restoration and accountability, not just one or the other.
• The verse connects to the wider passage, which describes the mission of God’s chosen servant (later quoted by Jesus in Luke 4), showing that God’s plan involves real help for the brokenhearted.
• The promise to comfort mourners highlights that God’s care is personal and attentive, not just about big events but about individual pain and loss.