Isaiah 41:4

KJV

Who hath wrought and done [it], calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I [am] he.

KJV (with Strong's)

Who hath wrought {H6466} and done {H6213} it, calling {H7121} the generations {H1755} from the beginning {H7218}? I the LORD {H3068}, the first {H7223}, and with the last {H314}; I am he.

Complete Jewish Bible

Whose work is this? Who has brought it about? He who called the generations from the beginning, "I, ADONAI, am the first; and I am the same with those who are last."

Berean Standard Bible

Who has performed this and carried it out, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD—the first and the last— I am He.”

American Standard Version

Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, Jehovah, the first, and with the last, I am he.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 41:4 presents a profound declaration of God's unparalleled sovereignty and eternal nature. Through a rhetorical question and a definitive self-affirmation, the Lord challenges any rival claim to His unique power over history, from its very inception to its ultimate conclusion. This verse serves as a foundational statement of His singular deity, emphasizing His active orchestration of all generations and events, and providing immense comfort and assurance to His people regarding His unchanging presence and absolute control.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 41:4 is embedded within the "Book of Comfort" (Isaiah 40-66), a section primarily addressed to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Following a powerful call to prepare the way for the Lord in [Isaiah 40](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - The Comfort of God's Glory"), chapters 41-48 focus on God's dispute with the idols and nations, asserting His unique power and foreknowledge. The immediate preceding verses (Isaiah 41:1-3) describe God raising up a deliverer (likely Cyrus, though not named yet) from the east, demonstrating His ability to orchestrate global events. Verse 4 serves as God's direct self-attestation, posing a rhetorical question that sets Him apart from all false gods and human powers, reinforcing His absolute control over the historical narrative that He is currently unfolding.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The exilic period (586-538 BCE) was a time of deep despair and theological questioning for the Israelites. Stripped of their land, temple, and monarchy, they faced the overwhelming might of the Babylonian Empire and the pervasive influence of its polytheistic culture. The surrounding nations worshipped numerous deities, often associated with natural phenomena or national power, and engaged in divination and idol worship. In this environment, Isaiah's prophecies served to remind the exiles that their God, Yahweh, was not merely a tribal deity defeated by Babylon's gods, but the one true, sovereign God of all creation and history. The declaration in [Isaiah 41:4](/isaiah/41-4 "Isaiah 41:4 - God's Eternal Sovereignty") directly counters the claims of these false gods and the despair of the exiles, asserting God's timeless power and active involvement in their present circumstances.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence**, where God is portrayed as the sole orchestrator of history, "calling the generations from the beginning." This underscores His **Foreknowledge and Predestination**, as seen in His ability to declare future events before they happen, a recurring motif in [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning"). Another crucial theme is **God's Uniqueness and Incomparability**, highlighted by the declaration "I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he," which distinguishes Him absolutely from all idols and human pretensions to power (cf. [Isaiah 44:6-8](/isaiah/44-6 "Isaiah 44:6-8 - The Lord is the Only God")). Finally, the verse offers **Comfort and Assurance** to a beleaguered people, reminding them that their God is eternal, unchanging, and fully in control, providing a steadfast anchor in times of uncertainty and fear.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, personal covenant name of God, often rendered as "Yahweh." Derived from the verb "to be," it signifies God's self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness. In this context, it emphasizes that the one making this declaration is the uncreated, ever-present, and uniquely powerful God who sustains all things and fulfills His promises to His people.
* **first (Hebrew, _riʼshôwn'_):** This term denotes priority in place, time, or rank. Here, it signifies God's absolute precedence over all creation and history. He existed before anything else came into being, initiating all things and setting the course of time. It underscores His role as the Alpha, the origin point of all existence and the ultimate source of all power and wisdom.
* **last (Hebrew, _ʼachărôwn'_):** Meaning "hinder," "late," or "last," this word complements "first" to convey God's ultimate finality and enduring presence. He will be the last, remaining when all else has passed away. Together with "first," it forms a merism, encompassing all of time and existence, declaring God's eternal nature and His complete sovereignty over the entire sweep of history, from beginning to end.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who hath wrought and done [it], calling the generations from the beginning?"**: This opening phrase is a rhetorical question posed by God Himself. The verbs "wrought" (pâʻal) and "done" (ʻâsâh) are broad terms for active creation, making, and accomplishing. The question challenges anyone or anything else to claim the power and foresight to orchestrate history and summon forth generations from the very dawn of time. It implies that only an omniscient and omnipotent being could possibly have such control, setting the stage for God's self-identification.
* **"I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I [am] he."**: This is God's definitive, unequivocal self-declaration. "I the LORD" uses His covenant name, Yahweh, emphasizing His unique identity. The phrase "the first, and with the last" is a powerful expression of His eternal nature and absolute sovereignty over time. It signifies that He is the beginning and the end, transcending all temporal limitations. The concluding "I am he" (Hebrew: 'ani hu') is a strong affirmation of His singular existence and identity, a declaration of divine uniqueness that brooks no rivals.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 41:4 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its profound theological truth. The verse opens with a **Rhetorical Question**, "Who hath wrought and done [it], calling the generations from the beginning?" This question is not posed to elicit an answer, but to emphasize the impossibility of any other entity possessing such power and foresight, thereby highlighting God's unique omnipotence. Following this, God issues a powerful **Divine Self-Declaration**, "I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he." This echoes the "I AM" statements found throughout Scripture, asserting His self-existence and absolute authority. The phrase "the first, and with the last" is a classic example of **Merism**, a literary device where two contrasting parts represent the whole. Here, "first" and "last" encompass all of time and existence, signifying God's eternal nature and His comprehensive sovereignty over all history. An implied **Contrast** is also present, setting God's eternal, active, and sovereign nature against the impotence and transient nature of the false gods and human rulers that the exiles might be tempted to fear or worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 41:4 stands as a cornerstone declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and eternal nature, profoundly shaping our understanding of His relationship with creation and history. It asserts that God is not merely a participant in human affairs but their ultimate orchestrator, pre-dating and outlasting all things. This truth provides a theological anchor, assuring believers that despite the chaos and uncertainty of human history, a benevolent and all-powerful God remains firmly in control, working His purposes from eternity past to eternity future. This divine self-declaration forms the bedrock for trust and worship, challenging any form of idolatry or reliance on human strength, and inviting a profound sense of peace in His unwavering reign.

* [Isaiah 44:6](/isaiah/44-6 "Isaiah 44:6 - The LORD, the First and the Last")
* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")
* [Revelation 1:17](/revelation/1-17 "Revelation 1:17 - Christ, the First and the Last")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 41:4 offers a powerful antidote to anxiety and a profound call to worship in our contemporary world. In an age characterized by rapid change, global instability, and personal uncertainties, the declaration "I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he" serves as an immovable truth. It reminds us that our God is not bound by time or limited by human events; He is the eternal, sovereign architect of all history, from its grand sweep to the intricate details of our individual lives. This truth invites us to release our grip on control, to trust His perfect plan, and to find our ultimate security not in fleeting circumstances or human achievements, but in His unchanging character and unwavering faithfulness. It calls us to live with confident hope, knowing that the one who began all things will also bring them to their perfect conclusion, and that He is intimately present with us through every generation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as "the first, and with the last" impact your perspective on current global events or personal challenges?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength or external circumstances rather than God's sovereign control?**
* **How does the truth of God "calling the generations from the beginning" encourage you to trust His plan for your future?**
* **What practical steps can you take to deepen your worship and reliance on the eternal God declared in this verse?**

### FAQ
**What does "the first, and with the last" mean in this verse?**

Answer: This phrase is a powerful declaration of God's eternal nature and absolute sovereignty over all time. "The first" (Hebrew: _riʼshôwn'_) signifies that God existed before all creation, initiating everything. He is the origin point of all existence. "With the last" (Hebrew: _ʼachărôwn'_) means He will endure beyond all things, remaining when all else has passed away. Together, these terms form a merism, encompassing the entirety of time—from beginning to end. It emphasizes that God is outside of time, yet actively involved within it, orchestrating all generations and events. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus describes Himself as the "Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End" in [Revelation 22:13](/revelation/22-13 "Revelation 22:13 - Jesus, the Alpha and Omega").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 41:4, with its profound declaration of God as "the first, and with the last," finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament primarily speaks of Yahweh, the New Testament unequivocally applies these divine attributes to Christ, revealing Him as the very embodiment of the eternal, sovereign God. Just as the Lord "called the generations from the beginning," so too was Christ present and active in creation, for "all things were created through him and for him" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ, Creator of All Things")). The declaration "I am he" resonates with Jesus' own powerful "I AM" statements, such as "Before Abraham was, I am" ([John 8:58](/john/8-58 "John 8:58 - Jesus' Divine Claim")) and "I am the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), asserting His co-equality and eternal nature with the Father. Most explicitly, the book of Revelation repeatedly identifies Jesus as "the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End" ([Revelation 1:17](/revelation/1-17 "Revelation 1:17 - Christ, the First and the Last"); [Revelation 22:13](/revelation/22-13 "Revelation 22:13 - Jesus, the Alpha and Omega")), demonstrating that the sovereign control over history, the eternal existence, and the unique deity declared in Isaiah 41:4 are fully manifested in the Son. Thus, the comfort and assurance offered to Israel in exile through God's eternal sovereignty are now realized and magnified in Christ, who orchestrates all things for the redemption of His people and the glory of His name.

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

Revelation 22:13

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Isaiah 48:12

Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I [am] he; I [am] the first, I also [am] the last.

Revelation 1:17

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Isaiah 41:26

Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, [He is] righteous? yea, [there is] none that sheweth, yea, [there is] none that declareth, yea, [there is] none that heareth your words.

Isaiah 44:6

Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I [am] the first, and I [am] the last; and beside me [there is] no God.

Isaiah 44:7

And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.

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.