The term "comfortest" is an archaic form of the word "comfort," often used in older English translations of the Bible. It refers to the act of providing solace, consolation, or encouragement, particularly in times of distress or sorrow. The concept of comfort is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's compassionate nature and His desire to provide peace and reassurance to His people.

Biblical Context

In the Bible, comfort is frequently associated with God's presence and His promises to His people. The Hebrew word often translated as "comfort" is "nacham," which conveys a sense of consolation and relief from distress. In the New Testament, the Greek word "parakaleo" is used, meaning to call to one's side, to encourage, or to console.

Old Testament References

The theme of comfort is prevalent throughout the Old Testament. In the book of Isaiah, God promises comfort to His people, Israel, during their times of suffering and exile. Isaiah 40:1-2 states, "Comfort, comfort My people," says your God. "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her iniquity has been pardoned." This passage highlights God's intention to restore and console His people after a period of judgment and hardship.

The Psalms also frequently speak of God's comforting presence. Psalm 23:4 declares, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Here, the psalmist expresses trust in God's guidance and protection, even in the darkest times.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, comfort is closely associated with the Holy Spirit, who is referred to as the "Comforter" or "Helper." In John 14:16-17 , Jesus promises His disciples, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." The Holy Spirit's role is to provide comfort, guidance, and encouragement to believers, continuing the work of Christ on earth.

The Apostle Paul frequently writes about comfort in his epistles. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 , he praises God as the "Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." This passage emphasizes the reciprocal nature of comfort among believers, as they are called to share the comfort they have received from God with others.

Theological Significance

The concept of comfort in the Bible underscores God's intimate involvement in the lives of His people. It reflects His character as a loving and compassionate Father who desires to alleviate the burdens of His children. Comfort is not merely an emotional response but a profound assurance of God's presence and faithfulness, even amidst trials and tribulations.

Comfort also plays a crucial role in the life of the Christian community. Believers are encouraged to support and console one another, reflecting the love and compassion of Christ. This mutual comfort strengthens the body of Christ and serves as a testimony to the world of God's transformative power.

In summary, the biblical theme of comfort is a testament to God's enduring love and care for His people. It is a reminder that, in the midst of life's challenges, believers can find solace and strength in the presence of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

Let the Restless, the Godless, Depart and Flee from Thee...
... they weep the more, and joy in weeping; even for that Thou, Lord,"not man of flesh
and blood, but"Thou, Lord, who madest them, re-makest and comfortest them ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter ii let the restless.htm

Fervent Supplication. --Ps. cxxx.
... Give ear to my complaint; Thou bidst the mourning soul rejoice,. Thou comfortest
the faint. I cast my hope on Thee,. Thou canst, Thou wilt forgive; ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn lxxxii fervent supplication ps cxxx.htm

On the Vanity of those who Wished to Escape the Omnipotent God.
... And they weep the more, and rejoice in weeping, since Thou, O Lord, not man, flesh
and blood, but Thou, Lord, who didst make, remakest and comfortest them. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter ii on the vanity of.htm

Your Own Salvation
... Be can then say, "O God, I will praise thee, though thou wast angry with me, thine
anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me." Oh, it is not hell hereafter ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/your own salvation.htm

The Saint Ceases not to Pray. Prayer the Way to Recover what is ...
... how Thou comfortest and endurest, and also waitest for them to make themselves like
unto Thee, and yet, in the meanwhile, art Thyself so patient of the state ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter viii the saint ceases.htm

Holy Song from Happy Saints
... I will praise thee, for though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is taken away
and thou comfortest me." Other occasions, however, come after our first day ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/holy song from happy saints.htm

The Prayer of Jabez
... graces, much less of his inward mood or his outward circumstances, if only thou
wilt "bless me indeed." I would not be comforted unless thou comfortest me, nor ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the prayer of jabez.htm

Book Six Turmoil in the Twenties. ...
... [174] And lo, thou art near, and thou deliverest us from our wretched wanderings
and establishest us in thy way, and thou comfortest us and sayest, "Run, I ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book six turmoil in the.htm

Exposition of the Doctrines of Grace
Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861. <. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/exposition of the doctrines of.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Comfortest (4 Occurrences)
...Comfortest (4 Occurrences). Psalms 67:4 Rejoice and sing do nations, For Thou judgest
peoples uprightly, And peoples on earth comfortest. Selah. (YLT). ...
/c/comfortest.htm - 7k

Comforteth (9 Occurrences)

/c/comforteth.htm - 8k

Comforters (5 Occurrences)

/c/comforters.htm - 8k

Uprightly (32 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 67:4 Rejoice and sing do nations, For Thou
judgest peoples uprightly, And peoples on earth comfortest. Selah. (YLT). ...
/u/uprightly.htm - 15k

Uprightness (46 Occurrences)
... NAS). Psalms 67:4 Rejoice and sing do nations, For Thou judgest peoples
uprightly, And peoples on earth comfortest. Selah. (See NAS). ...
/u/uprightness.htm - 19k

Judgest (9 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Psalms 67:4 Rejoice and sing do nations, For Thou judgest
peoples uprightly, And peoples on earth comfortest. Selah. (YLT). ...
/j/judgest.htm - 9k

Surroundest (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Surroundest (1 Occurrence). Psalms 71:21 Thou dost increase
my greatness, And Thou surroundest -- Thou comfortest me, (YLT). ...
/s/surroundest.htm - 6k

Confusion (71 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Ezekiel 16:54 that thou mayest bear thy confusion, and mayest be confounded
for all that thou hast done, in that thou comfortest them. (DBY). ...
/c/confusion.htm - 39k

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