King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Behold, I have given him [for] a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
Complete Jewish Bible:
I have given him as a witness to the peoples, a leader and lawgiver for the peoples.
Berean Standard Bible:
Behold, I have made him a witness to the nations, a leader and commander of the peoples.
American Standard Version:
Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Behold, I have given{H5414} him for a witness{H5707} to the people{H3816}, a leader{H5057} and commander{H6680} to the people{H3816}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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.
Ezekiel 34:24
- And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken [it].
Revelation 1:5
- And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Daniel 9:25
- Know therefore and understand, [that] from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince [shall be] seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
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, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:7
- Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
John 18:37
- Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Isaiah 55:4
Isaiah 55:4 is part of the larger section of the Book of Isaiah known as the "Third Isaiah" (chapters 56-66), which is believed to have been written during the post-exilic period, after the return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity around 538 BCE. This period was marked by the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple, and the restoration of the Jewish community's religious and social life.
The verse itself is a declaration from God, using the first person "I" to emphasize the divine initiative. In this verse, God announces that He has appointed a figure as "a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people." This figure is often interpreted as a reference to a future messianic king or leader who will guide and govern the people of Israel. The titles "witness," "leader," and "commander" suggest someone who will testify to God's truth, lead the people in righteousness, and exercise authority in a military or governing capacity.
The historical context suggests that this promise would have been particularly meaningful to a people recently returned from exile, who were seeking to reestablish their identity and purpose under God's guidance. The verse holds themes of hope, restoration, and divine governance, assuring the people that God has not abandoned them but has provided a divinely ordained figure to ensure their stability and faithfulness.
In a broader theological context, Christians interpret this verse as a prophetic reference to Jesus Christ, seeing Him as the ultimate fulfillment of the promised "witness," "leader," and "commander" who would testify to the truth of God, lead His people, and ultimately command their salvation.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H5707
There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵד
Transliteration: ʻêd
Pronunciation: ayd
Description: contracted from עוּד; concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince; witness. - Strong's Number: H3816
There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לְאֹם
Transliteration: lᵉʼôm
Pronunciation: leh-ome'
Description: xlit lᵉôm corrected to lᵉʼôm; or לְאוֹם; from an unused root meaning to gather; a community; nation, people. - Strong's Number: H5057
There are 44 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגִיד
Transliteration: nâgîyd
Pronunciation: naw-gheed'
Description: or נָגִד; from נָגַד; a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes; captain, chief, excellent thing, (chief) governor, leader, noble, prince, (chief) ruler. - Strong's Number: H6680
There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָוָה
Transliteration: tsâvâh
Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.