Isaiah 41:4
What does Isaiah 41:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 41:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 41:4 means
God challenges anyone to answer who has brought about these events and called forth the generations from the beginning of time. He then declares Himself to be the one, affirming His eternal nature: "I, Jehovah, the first, and with the last, I am he." This powerful statement asserts His unique identity as the uncreated, ever-present God who orchestrates history from its origin to its culmination, demonstrating an authority unrivaled by any other being or deity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, Jehovah, the first, and with the last, I am he.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, Jehovah, the first, and with the last, I am he.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Whose purpose and work was it? His who sent out the generations from the start. I the Lord, the first, and with the last, I am he.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Who hath wrought and done, Calling the generations from the first? I, Jehovah, the first, and with the last I <FI>am<Fi> He.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who hath wrought and done these things, calling the generations from the beginning? I the Lord, I am the first and the last.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Who hath wrought and done [it], calling the generations from the beginning? I, Jehovah, the first; and with the last, I [am] HE.
Context
After describing the mighty acts of His chosen one, God directly poses a rhetorical question, then unequivocally answers it. This verse is the climactic affirmation of God's exclusive sovereignty, placing all historical events firmly within His control, from beginning to end. It sets the stage for the nations' fearful reaction and their futile attempts to find solace in man-made gods.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 22:13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
- Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and for that he is strong in power, not one is lacking.
- Isaiah 43:10
Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
- Revelation 1:8
I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
- Isaiah 46:10
declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;
- Isaiah 40:12
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
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