Isaiah 41:27

KJV

The first [shall say] to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.

KJV (with Strong's)

The first {H7223} shall say to Zion {H6726}, Behold {H2009}, behold {H2009} them: and I will give {H5414} to Jerusalem {H3389} one that bringeth good tidings {H1319}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am the first to declare it to Tziyon, to send Yerushalayim a messenger with good news.

Berean Standard Bible

I was the first to tell Zion: ‘Look, here they are!’ And I gave to Jerusalem a herald of good news.

American Standard Version

I am the first that saith unto Zion, Behold, behold them; and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 41:27 stands as a powerful declaration of God's unique sovereignty and His unassailable foreknowledge, asserting His singular ability to announce future events and His unwavering commitment to His chosen people, Zion and Jerusalem. This verse highlights the divine initiative in bringing forth a message of profound hope and deliverance, contrasting God's active involvement and prophetic power with the impotence of the idols worshipped by the nations. It anticipates the arrival of a divine messenger bearing glad tidings, underscoring God's faithfulness to His covenant promises even in times of distress and exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 41:27 is situated within the broader "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-55), a section primarily addressed to the exiles in Babylon, offering hope and assurance of their return and restoration. Specifically, chapter 41 is a divine courtroom scene where the Lord challenges the nations and their idols to prove their deity by foretelling future events. God repeatedly asserts His unique identity as "the first and the last" ([Isaiah 41:4](/isaiah/41-4 "Isaiah 41:4 - God as the First and the Last")) and the only one capable of declaring "the former things" and "the things to come" ([Isaiah 41:22](/isaiah/41-22 "Isaiah 41:22 - God Challenges Idols to Declare the Future")). Verse 27 serves as the triumphant conclusion to this challenge, demonstrating that it is God Himself who initiates the good news for His people, not the impotent idols. It directly follows God's rhetorical questions to the idols, emphasizing their inability to produce a true prophet or deliver any meaningful word ([Isaiah 41:26](/isaiah/41-26 "Isaiah 41:26 - Idols Cannot Foretell")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for this prophetic message is the Babylonian exile, a period of immense national trauma and despair for the people of Judah. Stripped of their land, temple, and monarchy, they faced the temptation to doubt God's power and faithfulness, perhaps even turning to the gods of their captors. The surrounding nations, including Babylon, worshipped a pantheon of gods, often relying on divination and omens to discern the future. Isaiah's message directly confronts this polytheistic worldview, asserting the absolute supremacy and unique foreknowledge of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The reference to "Zion" and "Jerusalem" evokes the spiritual and political heart of the Israelite identity, now in ruins, emphasizing that God's promise of restoration and good news is directed to the very core of their national and religious being.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent in Isaiah. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Initiative and Sovereignty**, highlighting that God is the ultimate source of revelation and action. He is not merely reactive but actively declares His plans and brings them to pass, demonstrating His unparalleled control over history and prophecy. This theme of God being "the first and the last" is a recurring motif in Isaiah ([Isaiah 41:4](/isaiah/41-4 "Isaiah 41:4 - God as the First and the Last"), [Isaiah 44:6](/isaiah/44-6 "Isaiah 44:6 - The Lord, the King of Israel")). Secondly, it offers profound **Hope and Assurance for Jerusalem**, promising a future of good news despite the current or impending distress of exile. This assurance serves as a powerful antidote to despair, reminding the exiles that God has not abandoned His covenant people. Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **The Messenger of Good Tidings**. The promise "I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings" points to a divinely appointed herald, foreshadowing not only immediate historical deliverers but ultimately pointing to the glorious proclamation of the Gospel, as beautifully echoed in [Isaiah 52:7](/isaiah/52-7 "Isaiah 52:7 - The Feet of Him Who Brings Good News") and ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the ultimate bringer of the greatest good news ([Luke 2:10](/luke/2-10 "Luke 2:10 - Good Tidings of Great Joy")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **first (Hebrew, _riʼshôwn'_):** This word (H7223) denotes precedence in place, time, or rank. In the context of Isaiah 41, it emphasizes God's unique position as the one who exists before all things and who declares events before they happen. He is the originator, the one who initiates the prophetic word and brings it to pass, asserting His unparalleled foreknowledge against the impotence of idols.
* **Behold (Hebrew, _hinnêh'_):** This interjection (H2009) is a particle of exclamation, drawing immediate attention to what follows. Its repetition ("Behold, behold them") intensifies the emphasis, creating a sense of urgency and certainty. It serves to call the audience's attention to the undeniable reality and imminent fulfillment of God's declaration, serving as a divine "Look!" or "Pay attention!" to the coming good news.
* **one that bringeth good tidings (Hebrew, _bâsar'_):** This primitive root (H1319) fundamentally means "to be fresh" or "full," and by extension, "to announce glad news." It is the very root from which the Hebrew word for "good news" or "gospel" (besorah) is derived. Here, it refers to a messenger who delivers joyous, hopeful, and often salvific news, typically of victory, peace, or restoration. The active participle form emphasizes the role of the one who is specifically designated to bear this message of comfort and deliverance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The first [shall say] to Zion":** This clause establishes God as the supreme initiator. "The first" refers to Yahweh Himself, who, in contrast to the silent and impotent idols, is the one who speaks and declares the future. His declaration is specifically directed "to Zion," a poetic and prophetic name for Jerusalem, symbolizing God's deep and enduring commitment to His chosen city and people, even in their desolate state. It signifies that the divine word of comfort and promise originates directly from God and is intended for His covenant community.
* **"Behold, behold them":** The repeated interjection "Behold!" serves as a powerful call to attention, emphasizing the certainty and imminent manifestation of what is to come. "Them" likely refers to the "good tidings" or the fulfillment of the divine promise that God is about to send. It could also refer to the messengers themselves, or the events that constitute the good news, urging the exiles to look forward with anticipation to God's active intervention and the realization of His word.
* **"and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings":** This is the core promise of the verse. God explicitly states His intention to "give" or send a messenger to "Jerusalem" (another name for Zion, reinforcing the target of the message). This "one that bringeth good tidings" is a herald of restoration, peace, and deliverance. This promise is a direct fulfillment of God's unique ability, asserted throughout the chapter, to declare and bring about the future, contrasting sharply with the inability of pagan deities to do so. It is a divine assurance that hope is on the way.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 41:27 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Divine Pronouncement**, where God Himself speaks directly, asserting His authority and foreknowledge. This creates an undeniable sense of certainty and power. The **Repetition** of "Behold, behold" (Hebrew: *hinnêh*) serves as an emphatic interjection, a rhetorical device designed to draw immediate and intense attention to the coming event or messenger, underscoring its significance and certainty. Furthermore, the verse uses **Personification** by addressing "Zion" and "Jerusalem" as entities capable of receiving a message, imbuing these geographical locations with the identity of God's covenant people. Finally, the entire passage functions as a **Prophecy**, a divinely inspired declaration of future events, specifically the sending of a messenger with good news, which finds both immediate historical and ultimate eschatological fulfillment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 41:27 profoundly reinforces the Old Testament understanding of God as the sovereign Lord of history, whose word is not merely descriptive but performative—it brings about what it declares. This verse is a testament to God's unique attribute of foreknowledge, distinguishing Him absolutely from all false gods and idols who are deaf, dumb, and impotent. It underscores that salvation and hope originate solely from divine initiative, not human effort or pagan divination. The "good tidings" promised here are not merely political or military victories but encompass the comprehensive restoration of God's people, foreshadowing the ultimate good news of spiritual salvation. This divine commitment to sending a messenger with good news prefigures the entire prophetic tradition and culminates in the ultimate proclamation of the Gospel.

* [Isaiah 40:9](/isaiah/40-9 "Isaiah 40:9 - Proclaim Good Tidings to Jerusalem")
* [Isaiah 52:7](/isaiah/52-7 "Isaiah 52:7 - The Feet of Him Who Brings Good News")
* [Nahum 1:15](/nahum/1-15 "Nahum 1:15 - Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 41:27 offers profound comfort and a call to faith for believers in every generation. It reminds us that even in the darkest valleys of life—whether personal despair, societal upheaval, or global uncertainty—God remains enthroned as the sovereign Lord, who declares the end from the beginning. His promises are not contingent on human circumstances but are rooted in His unchanging character and omnipotent power. We are called to trust in His divine initiative, knowing that He is actively working out His purposes, even when we cannot perceive them. Furthermore, as recipients of the ultimate "good tidings" in Jesus Christ, we are commissioned to participate in God's ongoing mission, becoming those who "bring good tidings" to a world desperately in need of hope, peace, and reconciliation with God. Our lives, words, and actions should reflect the transformative power of the Gospel, echoing God's own declaration of good news to Zion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's unique ability to declare "the first things" and send good tidings provide comfort in uncertain times?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers today, embody the role of "one that bringeth good tidings" in our communities and beyond?**
* **What specific "good tidings" from God's Word bring you the most hope and assurance in your current circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Who is "the first" mentioned in Isaiah 41:27?**

Answer: "The first" refers to Yahweh, the God of Israel. Throughout Isaiah 41, God repeatedly asserts His unique identity as "the first and the last" ([Isaiah 41:4](/isaiah/41-4 "Isaiah 41:4 - God as the First and the Last"), [Isaiah 44:6](/isaiah/44-6 "Isaiah 44:6 - The Lord, the King of Israel")). This title emphasizes His eternal existence, His unparalleled sovereignty over history, and His exclusive ability to foretell and bring to pass future events, distinguishing Him from the powerless idols of the nations.

**Who is "one that bringeth good tidings" to Jerusalem?**

Answer: This phrase has multiple layers of fulfillment. Historically, it could refer to prophets like Isaiah himself, or future messengers who would announce the end of the Babylonian exile and the return to Jerusalem. Ultimately, however, in light of the New Testament, it points to the ultimate bringer of good news: Jesus Christ, and the proclamation of the Gospel. The "good tidings" (Hebrew: *besorah*) are the news of salvation, peace, and restoration that culminates in the person and work of Christ ([Luke 2:10](/luke/2-10 "Luke 2:10 - Good Tidings of Great Joy")).

**What is the significance of God addressing "Zion" and "Jerusalem"?**

Answer: "Zion" and "Jerusalem" are synonymous terms in this context, representing God's chosen city and, by extension, His covenant people, Israel. Addressing them directly underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises despite their sin and impending exile. It signifies that the good news is specifically for His beloved people, offering them hope, restoration, and a future, reaffirming their central place in His redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 41:27 finds its profoundest Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and mission of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate "one that bringeth good tidings," the very embodiment of the "good news" (Gospel) that God promised to Zion. While the immediate context speaks of a messenger bringing news of deliverance from exile, the Spirit-inspired trajectory of prophecy points beyond mere physical return to the spiritual and eternal salvation offered through Christ. Jesus Himself declared His mission to "preach good news to the poor" ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement")), directly echoing the language of Isaiah. He is not merely a messenger but the message itself—the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the [Prince of Peace](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace"), and the [resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"). The "behold, behold them" of Isaiah 41:27 finds its ultimate echo in the angelic announcement of Christ's birth, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people" ([Luke 2:10](/luke/2-10 "Luke 2:10 - Good Tidings of Great Joy")). Thus, God's ancient promise to send a herald of good news culminates in the advent of His Son, who not only declares the good news of the Kingdom but inaugurates it through His life, death, and resurrection, fulfilling God's sovereign plan to bring salvation to Zion and to all who believe ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 40:9

¶ O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift [it] up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Isaiah 52:7

¶ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

Isaiah 48:3

I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did [them] suddenly, and they came to pass.

Isaiah 44:28

That saith of Cyrus, [He is] my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

Nahum 1:15

Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

Isaiah 43:10

Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, 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.

Romans 10:15

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!