What Does Zechariah 1:13 Mean in the King James?
And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Hebrew names the LORD’s answer twice as words, showing consolation as something spoken and heard.
THE MEANING
The LORD’s answer reaches you as speech that is both good and consoling. Comfort takes a concrete form here: it is spoken and able to meet the person who waits.
THE ROOT
נִחֻמִים
niḥumim
GROWS FROM
נחם
To comfort or console; in other forms, to relent.
The word translated “comfortable” comes from the root for comfort and consolation. Its branches include both consolation and the comforter, revealing comfort here as an active response rather than merely a pleasant tone.
ALSO GROWS
menaḥem: Comforter, one who consoles
מְנַחֵם
The same root names the one who gives consolation, making these words a personal response to distress.
nāḥam: To comfort, console; also to relent
נָחַם
This root holds consolation and a changed condition together, giving the LORD’s words the force of an answer that can meet distress.
דְּבָרִים
devarim
GROWS FROM
דבר
To speak; word, matter, or thing.
The Hebrew repeats devarim: “good words, words of consolation.” The root also names a matter or thing, giving these spoken words substance beyond a passing sound.
ALSO GROWS
dāvar: Word, matter, or thing
דָּבָר
The word can name both speech and what is spoken about, lending the answer concrete weight.
dibber: Spoke
דִּבֵּר
This branch makes clear that consolation is communicated in speech, something heard and received.
THE PATTERN
Consolation takes shape through words that meet distress with goodness and sustain life.
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;THE THREAD
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.Isaiah’s נַחֲמוּ (naḥamu), “comfort,” shares the root נחם (naḥam), “to comfort or console,” with Zechariah’s word for “comfortable.” The repeated command makes consolation itself a spoken response, one that can be named and heard.
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