Isaiah 55:4
What does Isaiah 55:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Isaiah 55:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Isaiah 55:4 means
This verse declares that God has established a specific individual as a "witness to the peoples," and a "leader and commander to the peoples." While rooted in the Davidic covenant, this statement points prophetically beyond David himself to the ultimate Son of David, the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He serves as God's faithful witness and the authoritative head guiding all nations, fulfilling God's promise to restore Israel and extend salvation to the Gentiles through Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949See, I have given him as a witness to the peoples, a ruler and a guide to the nations.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Lo, a witness to peoples I have given him, A leader and commander to peoples.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold I have given him for a witness to the people, for a leader and a master to the Gentiles.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Behold, I have given him [for] a witness to the peoples, a prince and commander to the peoples.
Context
Following the mention of the "sure mercies of David" in verse 3, this verse immediately introduces a singular figure. It explains *who* will embody and fulfill these promises, shifting the focus from the general invitation to the specific means of its realization. This sets the stage for understanding how God's gracious invitation will be extended globally through this designated leader.
v.3Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
v.4This passage
v.5Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not; and a nation that knew not thee shall run unto thee, because of Jehovah thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 2:6
Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.
- Ezekiel 34:23
And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
- 1 Timothy 6:13
I charge thee in the sight of God, who giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession;
- Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Hebrews 5:9
and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;
- Micah 5:2
But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.
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