“Troos” in Deutero-Jesaja: ’n Ondersoek na Aanleiding van die Voorkoms van die Werkwoord נחם

Abstract

Comfort in Second Isaiah: A Study of the Verb נחם The opening words of Isa 40:1 consist of a repetition of the verb נחם which means “comfort.” This study was undertaken due to the fact that the literature focusing on the verb נחם is minimal. Dictionaries give a summary about the verb and its root meanings in languages of Semitic background. The aim of the study was to prove thatנחם is a theme in Second Isaiah, chs. 40-55 of the book of Isaiah. Most of the works that were used refer to the verbנחם and prefer to write about the relationship between Yahweh and Israel, the salvation and creation in Second Isaiah. The research focused on the information in theologies of the ot, articles and commentaries about the verb נחם in general and specifically in Second Isaiah. It included a study on three texts where the verbנחם occurs in Second Isaiah. The conclu­sion is made that נחם, “comfort,” is a very important theme in Second Isaiah combined with the themes of salvation and crea­tion.

Keywords

• Book of Isaiah
• Second Isaiah
• Deutero-Isaiah
• Book of Consolation
• comfort
• salvation