Bible Strands
Isaiah 55:4
Behold, I have made him a witness to the nations, a leader and commander of the peoples.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Lord addresses Israel, declaring the establishment of an everlasting covenant and identifying a specific figure as the recipient of this divine appointment.
The words — עֵד ('ed) denotes a witness, and נָגִיד (na.Gid) denotes a leader or commander, both applied to the one God appoints.
The thread — This appointment echoes in Revelation 1:5, where Christ is called a faithful witness and ruler, Isaiah 9:6, where government rests on a given son, and Hebrews 2:10, where God makes a pioneer to glory.
Why it lands — It demands recognition that divine authority and covenant fidelity are vested in a single appointed figure rather than human merit.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
Cross-references
- Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,
- Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Hebrews 2:10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom all things exist, to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
- Revelation 3:14 To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation.
- Psalms 18:43 You have delivered me from the strife of the people; You have made me the head of nations; a people I had not known shall serve me.
- Jeremiah 30:9 Instead, they will serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.
- Ezekiel 34:23 I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.
- Daniel 9:25 Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.
- Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
- John 12:26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.