Source 1 · Tanach
VerifiedIsaiah 40:1-2
ישעיהו מ׳:א׳-ב׳
Isaiah 40:1-2
The haftarah opens with the call to 'comfort, comfort My people,' setting the tone of consolation after suffering and exile. It frames comfort as a divine message that Jerusalem's time of punishment has ended.
נַחֲמ֥וּ נַחֲמ֖וּ עַמִּ֑י יֹאמַ֖ר אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ דַּבְּר֞וּ עַל־לֵ֤ב יְרוּשָׁלַ֙͏ִם֙ וְקִרְא֣וּ אֵלֶ֔יהָ כִּ֤י מָֽלְאָה֙ צְבָאָ֔הּ כִּ֥י נִרְצָ֖ה עֲוֺנָ֑הּ כִּ֤י לָֽקְחָה֙ מִיַּ֣ד יְהֹוָ֔ה כִּפְלַ֖יִם בְּכׇל־חַטֹּאתֶֽיהָ׃ {ס}
Comfort, oh comfort My people, Says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, And declare to her That her term of service is over, That her iniquity is expiated; For she has received at GOD’s hand Double for all her sins.
Source 2 · Tanach
VerifiedIsaiah 49:14-16
ישעיהו מ״ט:י״ד-ט״ז
Isaiah 49:14-16
Zion complains that God has forgotten her, and God answers with the image of a mother who can never forget her child. It is one of the most emotionally powerful verses of consolation in the series.
וַתֹּ֥אמֶר צִיּ֖וֹן עֲזָבַ֣נִי יְהֹוָ֑ה וַאדֹנָ֖י שְׁכֵחָֽנִי׃ הֲתִשְׁכַּ֤ח אִשָּׁה֙ עוּלָ֔הּ מֵרַחֵ֖ם בֶּן־בִּטְנָ֑הּ גַּם־אֵ֣לֶּה תִשְׁכַּ֔חְנָה וְאָנֹכִ֖י לֹ֥א אֶשְׁכָּחֵֽךְ׃
Zion says, “GOD has forsaken me, My Sovereign has forgotten me.” Can a woman forget her baby, Or disown the child of her womb? Though she might forget, I never could forget you.
Source 3 · Tanach
VerifiedJeremiah 31:15-16
ירמיהו ל״א:ט״ו-ט״ז
Jeremiah 31:15-16
Rachel weeps for her children, but God promises that her tears are not in vain and that the children will return. This is the emotional centerpiece behind the second haftarah of consolation.
כֹּ֣ה ׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֗ה ק֣וֹל בְּרָמָ֤ה נִשְׁמָע֙ נְהִי֙ בְּכִ֣י תַמְרוּרִ֔ים רָחֵ֖ל מְבַכָּ֣ה עַל־בָּנֶ֑יהָ מֵאֲנָ֛ה לְהִנָּחֵ֥ם עַל־בָּנֶ֖יהָ כִּ֥י אֵינֶֽנּוּ׃ {ס} כֹּ֣ה ׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהֹוָ֗ה מִנְעִ֤י קוֹלֵךְ֙ מִבֶּ֔כִי וְעֵינַ֖יִךְ מִדִּמְעָ֑ה כִּי֩ יֵ֨שׁ שָׂכָ֤ר לִפְעֻלָּתֵךְ֙ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָ֔ה וְשָׁ֖בוּ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ אוֹיֵֽב׃
Thus said GOD: A cry is heard in Ramah— Wailing, bitter weeping— Rachel weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted For her children, who are gone. Thus said GOD: Restrain your voice from weeping, Your eyes from shedding tears; For there is a reward for your labor —declares GOD: They shall return from the enemy’s land.
Source 4 · Tanach
VerifiedIsaiah 52:7-10
ישעיהו נ״ב:ז׳-י׳
Isaiah 52:7-10
The herald who announces peace and salvation arrives, and the watchmen see God's return to Zion. This is one of the classic climaxes of the comforting prophecies, linking redemption with public good news.
מַה־נָּאו֨וּ עַל־הֶהָרִ֜ים רַגְלֵ֣י מְבַשֵּׂ֗ר מַשְׁמִ֧יעַ שָׁל֛וֹם מְבַשֵּׂ֥ר ט֖וֹב מַשְׁמִ֣יעַ יְשׁוּעָ֑ה אֹמֵ֥ר לְצִיּ֖וֹן מָלַ֥ךְ אֱלֹהָֽיִךְ׃ ק֥וֹל צֹפַ֛יִךְ נָ֥שְׂאוּ ק֖וֹל יַחְדָּ֣ו יְרַנֵּ֑נוּ כִּ֣י עַ֤יִן בְּעַ֙יִן֙ יִרְא֔וּ בְּשׁ֥וּב יְהֹוָ֖ה צִיּֽוֹן׃
How welcome on the mountain Are the footsteps of the herald Announcing happiness, Heralding good fortune, Announcing victory, Telling Zion, “Your God reigns!” Hark! Your lookouts raise their voices, As one they shout for joy; For every eye shall behold GOD ’s return to Zion.
Source 5 · Tanach
VerifiedIsaiah 54:1-8
ישעיהו נ״ד:א׳-ח׳
Isaiah 54:1-8
The barren woman is promised enlargement and enduring compassion, despite a momentary 'hiding of the face.' The prophecy turns personal loss into a durable covenant of mercy.
רׇנִּ֥י עֲקָרָ֖ה לֹ֣א יָלָ֑דָה פִּצְחִ֨י רִנָּ֤ה וְצַֽהֲלִי֙ לֹא־חָ֔לָה כִּֽי־רַבִּ֧ים בְּֽנֵי־שׁוֹמֵמָ֛ה מִבְּנֵ֥י בְעוּלָ֖ה אָמַ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃ בְּרֶ֥גַע קָטֹ֖ן עֲזַבְתִּ֑יךְ וּבְרַחֲמִ֥ים גְּדֹלִ֖ים אֲקַבְּצֵֽךְ׃ בְּשֶׁ֣צֶף קֶ֗צֶף הִסְתַּ֨רְתִּי פָנַ֥י רֶ֙גַע֙ מִמֵּ֔ךְ וּבְחֶ֥סֶד עוֹלָ֖ם רִחַמְתִּ֑יךְ אָמַ֥ר גֹּאֲלֵ֖ךְ יְהֹוָֽה׃ {ס}
Shout, O infertile one, You who bore no child! Shout aloud for joy, You who did not travail! For the children of the wife forlorn Shall outnumber those of the espoused —said GOD. For a little while I forsook you, But with vast love I will bring you back. In slight anger, for a moment, I hid My face from you; But with kindness everlasting I will take you back in love —said GOD your Redeemer.
Source 6 · Tanach
VerifiedIsaiah 51:12-16
ישעיהו נ״א:י״ב-ט״ז
Isaiah 51:12-16
God reassures Israel not to fear human oppressors and promises protection through the words placed in the prophet's mouth. The passage emphasizes that redemption depends on divine presence rather than human power.
אָנֹכִ֧י אָנֹכִ֛י ה֖וּא מְנַחֶמְכֶ֑ם מִי־אַ֤תְּ וַתִּֽירְאִי֙ מֵאֱנ֣וֹשׁ יָמ֔וּת וּמִבֶּן־אָדָ֖ם חָצִ֥יר יִנָּתֵֽן׃ וַתִּשְׁכַּ֞ח יְהֹוָ֣ה עֹשֶׂ֗ךָ נוֹטֶ֣ה שָׁמַ֘יִם֮ וְיֹסֵ֣ד אָ֒רֶץ֒ וַתְּפַחֵ֨ד תָּמִ֜יד כׇּל־הַיּ֗וֹם מִפְּנֵי֙ חֲמַ֣ת הַמֵּצִ֔יק כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר כּוֹנֵ֖ן לְהַשְׁחִ֑ית וְאַיֵּ֖ה חֲמַ֥ת הַמֵּצִֽיק׃
I, I am the One who comforts you! What ails you that you fear Man who must die, Mortals who fare like grass? You have forgotten GOD your Maker, Who stretched out the skies and made firm the earth! And you live all day in constant dread Because of the rage of an oppressor Who is aiming to cut [you] down. Yet of what account is the rage of an oppressor?
Source 7 · Tanach
VerifiedIsaiah 52:1-2
ישעיהו נ״ב:א׳-ב׳
Isaiah 52:1-2
Jerusalem is told to awaken and shake off the dust of exile, signaling the beginning of restoration. The language of rising from humiliation is a key move in the sequence of consolation.
עוּרִ֥י עוּרִ֛י לִבְשִׁ֥י עֻזֵּ֖ךְ צִיּ֑וֹן לִבְשִׁ֣י ׀ בִּגְדֵ֣י תִפְאַרְתֵּ֗ךְ יְרוּשָׁלַ֙͏ִם֙ עִ֣יר הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ כִּ֣י לֹ֥א יוֹסִ֛יף יָבֹא־בָ֥ךְ ע֖וֹד עָרֵ֥ל וְטָמֵֽא׃ הִתְנַעֲרִ֧י מֵעָפָ֛ר ק֥וּמִי שְּׁבִ֖י יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם (התפתחו) [הִֽתְפַּתְּחִי֙] מוֹסְרֵ֣י צַוָּארֵ֔ךְ שְׁבִיָּ֖ה בַּת־צִיּֽוֹן׃ {ס}
Awake, awake, O Zion! Clothe yourself in splendor; Put on your robes of majesty, Jerusalem, holy city! For the uncircumcised and the impure Shall never enter you again. Arise, shake off the dust, Sit [on your throne], Jerusalem! Loose the bonds from your neck, O captive one, Fair Zion!
Source 8 · Tanach
VerifiedIsaiah 55:1-5
ישעיהו נ״ה:א׳-ה׳
Isaiah 55:1-5
The invitation to come and buy without money presents divine generosity as freely available to the thirsty. It broadens consolation into an open call to life, covenant, and an everlasting kindness.
ה֤וֹי כׇּל־צָמֵא֙ לְכ֣וּ לַמַּ֔יִם וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵֽין־ל֖וֹ כָּ֑סֶף לְכ֤וּ שִׁבְרוּ֙ וֶאֱכֹ֔לוּ וּלְכ֣וּ שִׁבְר֗וּ בְּלוֹא־כֶ֛סֶף וּבְל֥וֹא מְחִ֖יר יַ֥יִן וְחָלָֽב׃ הַטּ֤וּ אׇזְנְכֶם֙ וּלְכ֣וּ אֵלַ֔י שִׁמְע֖וּ וּתְחִ֣י נַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם וְאֶכְרְתָ֤ה לָכֶם֙ בְּרִ֣ית עוֹלָ֔ם חַֽסְדֵ֥י דָוִ֖ד הַנֶּאֱמָנִֽים׃
Ho, all who are thirsty, Come for water, Even if you have no money; Come, buy food and eat: Buy food without money, Wine and milk without cost. Incline your ear and come to Me; Hearken, and you shall be revived. And I will make with you an everlasting covenant, The enduring loyalty promised to David.
Source 9 · Tanach
VerifiedJeremiah 31:17-20
ירמיהו ל״א:י״ז-כ׳
Jeremiah 31:17-20
God responds to Ephraim's repentance with tender language of remembrance, pity, and yearning. The verses highlight that divine compassion overcomes judgment and estrangement.
וְיֵשׁ־תִּקְוָ֥ה לְאַחֲרִיתֵ֖ךְ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָ֑ה וְשָׁ֥בוּ בָנִ֖ים לִגְבוּלָֽם׃ הֲבֵן֩ יַקִּ֨יר לִ֜י אֶפְרַ֗יִם אִ֚ם יֶ֣לֶד שַׁעֲשֻׁעִ֔ים כִּֽי־מִדֵּ֤י דַבְּרִי֙ בּ֔וֹ זָכֹ֥ר אֶזְכְּרֶ֖נּוּ ע֑וֹד עַל־כֵּ֗ן הָמ֤וּ מֵעַי֙ ל֔וֹ רַחֵ֥ם אֲֽרַחֲמֶ֖נּוּ נְאֻם־יְהֹוָֽה׃ {ס}
And there is hope for your future —declares GOD: Your children shall return to their country. Truly, Ephraim is a dear son to Me, A child that is dandled! Whenever I have turned against him, My thoughts would dwell on him still. That is why My heart yearns for him; I will receive him back in love —declares GOD.
Source 10 · Tanach
VerifiedIsaiah 40:3-5
ישעיהו מ׳:ג׳-ה׳
Isaiah 40:3-5
This passage portrays the preparation of a highway for God and the revelation of divine glory to all flesh. It is central to the comfort theme because redemption is presented as imminent and universal.
ק֣וֹל קוֹרֵ֔א בַּמִּדְבָּ֕ר פַּנּ֖וּ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יְהֹוָ֑ה יַשְּׁרוּ֙ בָּעֲרָבָ֔ה מְסִלָּ֖ה לֵאלֹהֵֽינוּ׃ וְנִגְלָ֖ה כְּב֣וֹד יְהֹוָ֑ה וְרָא֤וּ כׇל־בָּשָׂר֙ יַחְדָּ֔ו כִּ֛י פִּ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה דִּבֵּֽר׃ {פ}
A voice rings out: “Clear in the desert A road for GOD! Level in the wilderness A highway for our God! The Presence of GOD shall appear, And all flesh, as one, shall behold— For GOD has spoken.”
Source 11 · Tanach
VerifiedIsaiah 55:12-13
ישעיהו נ״ה:י״ב-י״ג
Isaiah 55:12-13
The closing verses of the seventh haftarah describe creation rejoicing as the redeemed go forth in peace. Nature itself joins the act of comfort, transforming thorns into myrtle.
כִּֽי־בְשִׂמְחָ֣ה תֵצֵ֔אוּ וּבְשָׁל֖וֹם תּוּבָל֑וּן הֶהָרִ֣ים וְהַגְּבָע֗וֹת יִפְצְח֤וּ לִפְנֵיכֶם֙ רִנָּ֔ה וְכׇל־עֲצֵ֥י הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה יִמְחֲאוּ־כָֽף׃ תַּ֤חַת הַֽנַּעֲצוּץ֙ יַעֲלֶ֣ה בְר֔וֹשׁ (תחת) [וְתַ֥חַת] הַסִּרְפַּ֖ד יַעֲלֶ֣ה הֲדַ֑ס וְהָיָ֤ה לַֽיהֹוָה֙ לְשֵׁ֔ם לְא֥וֹת עוֹלָ֖ם לֹ֥א יִכָּרֵֽת׃ {פ}
Yea, you shall leave in joy and be led home secure. Before you, mount and hill shall shout aloud, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the brier, a cypress shall rise; Instead of the nettle, a myrtle shall rise. These shall stand as a testimony to GOD, As an everlasting sign that shall not perish.