What the Bible Says About Comfort

"Comfort" and its forms come 131 times in the King James Bible, in 119 verses. 84 of the 131 are in the Old Testament and 47 in the New. Isaiah has the most, 18, and 2 Corinthians 1:4 has four, more than any other verse. The first is Genesis 5:29, where Lamech names his son Noah and says, "This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands".

66 of the 131 stand for one Hebrew verb, nacham, which Strong's Concordance defines as "properly, to sigh, i.e. breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavorably) to avenge (oneself)." Three nouns Strong's derives from nacham stand behind five more. In the New Testament the word behind comfort most often is parakaleō, 24 times. Strong's defines it as "to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)." It derives the noun paraklēsis from parakaleō, and paraklētos is the word the KJV prints Comforter.

Below are passages with comfort or one of its forms, each quoted word for word with its reference. Short notes give the Hebrew and Greek words behind the English. Well-known verses on comfort like Psalm 23:4 and 2 Corinthians 1:3 and 4 are already quoted on the site's other pages, so they're named and linked near the end rather than quoted again. A table counts the words behind all 131, and a list gives every verse where the King James text says comfort or one of its forms.

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people (Isaiah 40:1 and 2)

1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40:1-2)

"Comfort ye, comfort ye" is nacham, written twice. "Comfortably" is leb, which Strong's defines as "the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect." Word for word, the Hebrew says speak upon the heart of Jerusalem. The KJV renders the same phrase comfortably in four more places, 2 Samuel 19:7, 2 Chronicles 30:22 and 32:6 and Hosea 2:14, with lebab, the fuller form of the same word, in 32:6. Among other places it renders it kindly in Genesis 50:21 and friendly in Ruth 2:13, both below. The strength page quotes Isaiah 40:28 to 31.

Isaac was comforted after his mother's death (Genesis 24:67)

And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. (Genesis 24:67)

"Was comforted" is nacham. The printed KJV sets "death" in italics as a supplied word, and the Hebrew ends with "after his mother". Sarah's death is told in Genesis 23:2, and the grief page quotes a phrase of it.

He comforted them, and spake kindly unto them (Genesis 50:21)

Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. (Genesis 50:21)

Joseph is speaking to his brothers after their father's death. "Comforted" is nacham, and "kindly" is leb, so "spake kindly unto them" is word for word spoke upon their heart, the phrase Isaiah 40:2 renders comfortably. The forgiveness page quotes 50:15 to 17, where the brothers send word asking him to forgive them.

Thou hast comforted me (Ruth 2:13)

Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens. (Ruth 2:13)

Ruth is speaking to Boaz. "Comforted" is nacham, and "spoken friendly" is spoken upon the heart again, with leb. The trust page quotes 2:12, Boaz's blessing just before it.

Miserable comforters are ye all (Job 16:2)

I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. (Job 16:2)

Job is answering Eliphaz, whose speech fills chapter 15. "Comforters" is nacham, and "miserable" is amal, which Strong's defines as "toil, i.e. wearing effort." The grief page quotes 2:11, where Job's three friends first come to comfort him.

In the Psalms

Comfort me on every side (Psalm 71:21)

Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. (Psalm 71:21)

"Comfort" is nacham. The hope page quotes 71:5 and 14.

My soul refused to be comforted (Psalm 77:2)

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. (Psalm 77:2)

"Refused" is maen, "to refuse," and "comforted" is nacham. The KJV says "refused to be comforted" three times, of Jacob in Genesis 37:35, here, and of Rahel in Jeremiah 31:15. Matthew 2:18 spells her Rachel and says "would not be comforted". The grief page names Genesis 37:35, Jeremiah 31:15 and Matthew 2:18. Hebrew Bibles number this verse 77:3.

Thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me (Psalm 86:17)

Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me. (Psalm 86:17)

"Comforted" is nacham, and "holpen" is azar, which Strong's defines as "to surround, i.e. protect or aid."

This is my comfort in my affliction (Psalm 119:50, 52 and 76)

This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. (Psalm 119:50)

I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself. (Psalm 119:52)

Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. (Psalm 119:76)

"My comfort" in verse 50 is nechamah, which Strong's derives from nacham and defines as "consolation." It comes only twice, here and in Job 6:10. "Hath quickened" is chayah, "to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive." "Have comforted myself" in verse 52 and "my comfort" in verse 76 are nacham, and "merciful kindness" in verse 76 is chesed, which Strong's defines as "kindness."

They had no comforter (Ecclesiastes 4:1)

So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. (Ecclesiastes 4:1)

"Comforter" is nacham both times. "Oppressions" is ashuq, which Strong's says is "used in plural masculine as abstractly, tyranny." The KJV says comforter eight times, twice here, twice in Lamentations 1 and four times in John, where it's printed Comforter.

I, even I, am he that comforteth you (Isaiah 51:12)

I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; (Isaiah 51:12)

"I, even I" is anoki, the Hebrew for I, written twice, and "comforteth" is nacham. The verse ends in a semicolon, and the sentence goes on into 51:13. Isaiah 51:3 says comfort twice, and the joy page and the thanksgiving page name it.

As one whom his mother comforteth (Isaiah 66:13)

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 66:13)

All three are nacham, and "mother" is em, which Strong's defines as "a mother (as the bond of the family)." The peace page names 66:12, the verse before.

She hath none to comfort her (Lamentations 1:2)

She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies. (Lamentations 1:2)

"Weepeth sore" is one verb, bakah, written twice, and "to comfort" is nacham. Comfort comes in five verses of Lamentations 1. In 1:2, 1:9, 1:17 and 1:21 there's none to comfort or no comforter, and 1:16 says "the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me". The grief page quotes Lamentations 3:19 to 23.

Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee (Mark 10:49)

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. (Mark 10:49)

The blind man is Bartimeus, named in 10:46. "Be of good comfort" is tharseō, which Strong's defines as "to have courage." It comes eight times in the Textus Receptus. The KJV renders it be of good comfort here and in Matthew 9:22 and Luke 8:48, and be of good cheer the other five times, as in John 16:33. The peace page quotes Luke 8:48 and John 16:33 and names Mark 10:48.

Another Comforter (John 14:16 to 18)

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:16-18)

"Comforter" is paraklētos, which Strong's defines as "an intercessor, consoler." The KJV prints Comforter for it four times, all in John, in 14:16 and 26, 15:26 and 16:7. Its one other place is 1 John 2:1, where the KJV prints advocate, "we have an advocate with the Father". "Comfortless" in 14:18 is orphanos, which Strong's defines as "bereaved ('orphan'), i.e. parentless." Its one other place is James 1:27, "To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction". The worry page quotes 14:1 and 27.

The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost (John 14:26, 15:26 and 16:7)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (John 15:26)

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7)

"Comforter" is paraklētos in all three. John 15:26 ends in a colon, and the sentence goes on into 15:27. The grief page quotes 16:20 and 22.

Our consolation also aboundeth by Christ (2 Corinthians 1:5 to 7)

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. (2 Corinthians 1:5-7)

"Consolation" all four times is paraklēsis, which Strong's defines as "imploration, hortation, solace." In 1:3 and 4, which the grief page quotes, the KJV renders the same noun comfort. "Comforted" in 1:6 is parakaleō. Paraklēsis and parakaleō come ten times in 1:3 to 7, and the KJV says comfort or one of its forms six times and consolation four. "Enduring" in 1:6 is hupomonē, which stands behind 31 of the 49 words the patience page counts.

God, that comforteth those that are cast down (2 Corinthians 7:6)

Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; (2 Corinthians 7:6)

Both are parakaleō. "Cast down" is tapeinos, which Strong's defines as "depressed, i.e. (figuratively) humiliated (in circumstances or disposition)." The verse ends in a semicolon, and 7:7 goes on, "by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you". The joy page names 7:4 and 7:13, which say comfort too.

If any comfort of love (Philippians 2:1)

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, (Philippians 2:1)

"Consolation" is paraklēsis and "comfort" is paramuthion, which Strong's defines as "consolation (properly, concretely)." It's the one place paramuthion appears. The verse ends in a comma, and the sentence goes on into 2:2, which the joy page names.

Comfort yourselves together (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

"Comfort" is parakaleō, and "edify" is oikodomeō, which Strong's defines as "to be a house-builder, i.e. construct or (figuratively) confirm." The grief page quotes 4:18, and the patience page quotes 5:14, where "comfort" is paramutheomai.

Everlasting consolation (2 Thessalonians 2:16 and 17)

16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

"Consolation" is paraklēsis and "Comfort" is parakaleō. "Everlasting" is aiōnios, "perpetual," and "stablish" is stērizō, "to set fast." The hope page names 2:16.

The words behind comfort

The KJV says comfort or one of its forms 131 times. Counted by their Strong's numbers, the Hebrew and Greek words in this table stand behind all 131.

Word	Language	Strong's number	Times behind comfort	One place
nacham	Hebrew	H5162	66	Isaiah 40:1
parakaleō	Greek	G3870	24	1 Thessalonians 5:11
paraklēsis	Greek	G3874	6	Acts 9:31
leb	Hebrew	H3820	4	Isaiah 40:2
paraklētos	Greek	G3875	4	John 14:16
paramutheomai	Greek	G3888	4	John 11:19
saad	Hebrew	H5582	3	Genesis 18:5
tharseō	Greek	G2293	3	Mark 10:49
nechamah	Hebrew	H5165	2	Psalm 119:50
balag	Hebrew	H1082	2	Job 9:27
nichum	Hebrew	H5150	2	Isaiah 57:18
lebab	Hebrew	H3824	1	2 Chronicles 32:6
tanchum	Hebrew	H8575	1	Psalm 94:19
raphad	Hebrew	H7502	1	Song of Solomon 2:5
menuchah	Hebrew	H4496	1	2 Samuel 14:17
mabligith	Hebrew	H4010	1	Jeremiah 8:18
orphanos	Greek	G3737	1	John 14:18
sumparakaleō	Greek	G4837	1	Romans 1:12
paramuthia	Greek	G3889	1	1 Corinthians 14:3
paramuthion	Greek	G3890	1	Philippians 2:1
eupsucheō	Greek	G2174	1	Philippians 2:19
parēgoria	Greek	G3931	1	Colossians 4:11

Nacham and the three nouns Strong's derives from it, nechamah, nichum and tanchum, stand behind 71 of the 84 in the Old Testament. Parakaleō, paraklēsis and paraklētos stand behind 34 of the 47 in the New. "Comfortably" stands for a word for the heart all five times, leb four times and lebab once.

Every place the KJV says comfort

Comfort or one of its forms comes in these 119 verses.

Genesis 5:29, 18:5, 24:67, 27:42, 37:35, 38:12, 50:21
Judges 19:5, 19:8
Ruth 2:13
2 Samuel 10:2, 10:3, 12:24, 13:39, 14:17, 19:7
1 Chronicles 7:22, 19:2, 19:3
2 Chronicles 30:22, 32:6
Job 2:11, 6:10, 7:13, 9:27, 10:20, 16:2, 21:34, 29:25, 42:11
Psalms 23:4, 69:20, 71:21, 77:2, 86:17, 94:19, 119:50, 119:52, 119:76, 119:82
Ecclesiastes 4:1
Song of Solomon 2:5
Isaiah 12:1, 22:4, 40:1, 40:2, 49:13, 51:3, 51:12, 51:19, 52:9, 54:11, 57:6, 57:18, 61:2, 66:13
Jeremiah 8:18, 16:7, 31:13, 31:15
Lamentations 1:2, 1:9, 1:16, 1:17, 1:21, 2:13
Ezekiel 5:13, 14:22, 14:23, 16:54, 31:16, 32:31
Hosea 2:14
Nahum 3:7
Zechariah 1:13, 1:17, 10:2
Matthew 2:18, 5:4, 9:22
Mark 10:49
Luke 8:48, 16:25
John 11:19, 11:31, 14:16, 14:18, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7
Acts 9:31, 16:40, 20:12
Romans 1:12, 15:4
1 Corinthians 14:3, 14:31
2 Corinthians 1:3, 1:4, 1:6, 2:7, 7:4, 7:6, 7:7, 7:13, 13:11
Ephesians 6:22
Philippians 2:1, 2:19
Colossians 2:2, 4:8, 4:11
1 Thessalonians 2:11, 3:2, 3:7, 4:18, 5:11, 5:14
2 Thessalonians 2:17

Comfort on the other pages

Some well-known verses on comfort are quoted on the site's other pages. Psalm 23:4 is on the fear page, and Psalm 94:19 is on the worry page. Matthew 5:4, Isaiah 61:1 to 3, Job 2:11, 2 Corinthians 1:3 and 4 and 1 Thessalonians 4:18 are on the grief page. Romans 15:4 is on the hope page, 1 Thessalonians 5:14 is on the patience page and Luke 8:48 is on the peace page. Other pages name a few more. The grief page names Genesis 37:35, Jeremiah 31:15 and Matthew 2:18 and quotes phrases of the first and last. The Christmas page names Jeremiah 31:15 and Matthew 2:18, and the hope page names Jeremiah 31:15. The joy page names Isaiah 51:3 and 52:9, Jeremiah 31:13 and 2 Corinthians 7:4 and 7:13, and the peace page names Acts 9:31 and 2 Corinthians 13:11, among others.

Worry, fear, grief, strength, love, forgiveness, hope, peace, anger, pride, temptation, wisdom, joy, thanksgiving, money, trust, Christmas and patience

How this page was made

Every verse is quoted from the 1769 standard text of the King James Version and checked word for word against two more digital copies. The printed KJV sets supplied words in italics, which this page doesn't show. Verse numbers follow the KJV. Hebrew Bibles number Psalm 77:2 as 77:3. They number 2 Samuel 19:7 and Hosea 2:14, which the notes name, as 19:8 and 2:16, and Psalm 69:20, in the list, as 69:21.

Hebrew words were identified with the Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible. Greek words were identified with STEPBible's tagged Greek New Testament. The counts of the words behind comfort come from the Strong's numbers in the CrossWire Bible Society's KJV, each checked against the Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible or STEPBible's Greek. Greek counts follow the Textus Receptus as STEPBible gives it. Every Greek word the notes cite in a quoted verse stands in all eight Greek editions STEPBible compares, and paraklēsis and parakaleō stand in all eight at all ten places in 2 Corinthians 1:3 to 7. Some quoted words don't. "Abide" in John 14:16 stands only in the Textus Receptus and the Byzantine text, and the other six have "be." "Even" in 2 Thessalonians 2:16 and "you" in 2:17 also stand only in those two. In John 14:17 "but" and the second "him" stand in three, Tregelles, the Textus Receptus and the Byzantine text, and so does the "But" that opens 15:26. In 2 Corinthians 1:6 the editions order the clauses differently, and the second "and salvation" stands in four, Tyndale House's edition, Tregelles, the Textus Receptus and the Byzantine text. "Be of good comfort" in Luke 8:48, on the peace page, stands only in the Textus Receptus and the Byzantine text. Elsewhere in the quoted verses the editions differ in a word, its form, its spelling or the order of words. In Mark 10:49 "to be called" and "rise" take other forms in the Textus Receptus and the Byzantine text than in the other six. Apart from where 2 Corinthians 1:6 puts its clauses, none of the words the notes cite in the quoted verses differs. STEPBible is a Tyndale House Cambridge project. STEPBible's data and the Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible are both shared under CC BY 4.0. The definitions come from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890). If you find a mistake, tell us through the support page.

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