Isaiah 41:27 kjv
The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.
Isaiah 41:27 nkjv
The first time I said to Zion, 'Look, there they are!' And I will give to Jerusalem one who brings good tidings.
Isaiah 41:27 niv
I was the first to tell Zion, 'Look, here they are!' I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good news.
Isaiah 41:27 esv
I was the first to say to Zion, "Behold, here they are!" and I give to Jerusalem a herald of good news.
Isaiah 41:27 nlt
I was the first to tell Zion,
'Look! Help is on the way!'
I will send Jerusalem a messenger with good news.
Isaiah 41 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 40:9 | "Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings..." | Prophetic anticipation of God's message |
| Isaiah 41:14 | "Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am your helper..." | God's promise of deliverance |
| Isaiah 44:28 | "who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall accomplish all my pleasure...’" | God commissioning a foreign ruler |
| Isaiah 45:1-4 | "...to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him..." | God using a pagan king for His purposes |
| Jeremiah 30:9 | "But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them." | Messianic prophecy concerning leadership |
| Jeremiah 33:16 | "In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety. And this is the name by which she will be called: The Lord Is Our Righteousness.”" | Future salvation and new name for Jerusalem |
| Ezekiel 34:23 | "And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them..." | Another prophecy of a shepherd king |
| Micah 5:2 | "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small to be among the clans of Judah..." | Prophecy of Messiah's birthplace |
| Zechariah 9:9 | "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he..." | Messianic prophecy of the King's arrival |
| Matthew 3:3 | "For this is he who was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah..." | John the Baptist as fulfillment |
| Luke 1:77-79 | "...to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins..." | Announcing salvation and forgiveness |
| Luke 2:10-11 | "And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." | Angel's announcement to shepherds |
| John 1:41 | "He first found his brother Simon and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah...'”" | Sharing the good news |
| Acts 13:24 | "When John had first preached before his coming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel." | John the Baptist's preparatory ministry |
| Romans 10:14-15 | "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'" | The necessity of proclaiming the gospel |
| 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 | "in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself... And we have been appointed ambassadors by Christ..." | Believers as ambassadors for Christ |
| 1 Peter 4:11 | "whoever speaks, as one speaks Oracles of God..." | Speaking God's word faithfully |
| Revelation 14:6 | "Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth..." | Angelic proclamation of the gospel |
Isaiah 41 verses
Isaiah 41 27 Meaning
Isaiah 41:27 states that God can tell Jerusalem, "I gave the first one among them to say to Zion, ‘Give a message of greeting to my people.’" This signifies God's divine authority and preemptive knowledge concerning events, specifically the declaration that would be made to Zion (Jerusalem), indicating a messenger of peace and good tidings appointed by God.
Isaiah 41 27 Context
Isaiah 41:27 is part of a larger oracle of comfort and hope within Isaiah chapters 40-48, which addresses the people of Israel during their Babylonian exile. God, through Isaiah, is assuring them of His power and His plan to bring them back to Jerusalem. This particular verse highlights God's foreknowledge and His active involvement in orchestrating the return, appointing a herald to bring the message of peace and assurance to Zion. It emphasizes God as the one who initiates and empowers the communication of His divine will, countering the helplessness they might feel in exile. The broader context involves a polemic against the futility of idols, contrasting their inability to predict or bring about future events with God's sovereign control over history.
Isaiah 41 27 Word Analysis
"I gave": (Hebrew: natan - נָתַן) signifies to give, put, set, or grant. It indicates God's active, intentional bestowal.
"the first one": (Hebrew: rishon - רִאשׁוֹן) meaning first, chief, or principal. It can refer to the primary or foremost among a group.
"among them": (Hebrew: mehem - מֵהֶם) denotes from them or out of them.
"to say": (Hebrew: lomar - לֵאמֹר) signifies to speak, say, or tell.
"to Zion": (Hebrew: leTziyon - לְצִיּוֹן) referring to Jerusalem, specifically its stronghold. It is a focal point of God's people and presence.
"Give a message of greeting": (Hebrew: ten-mestat tovot - תֵּ֧ן מְשַׂ֤ת טוֹבֹת) This is a significant phrase. "Ten" (תֵּן) means to give. "Mesat" (מְשַׂת) is related to giving, bestowing, or communicating. "Tovot" (טוֹבֹת) means good things, goodness, or prosperity. It conveys the idea of imparting good news, blessings, or well-wishes.
Word Group Analysis:
- "the first one among them": This group suggests God appointed a primary messenger or spokesman from within the collective of those returning or within the larger scope of His plans. This could be interpreted as Cyrus the Great, whom God later identifies as His shepherd and anointed (Isa 45:1), or perhaps a prophetic voice preceding the return.
- "to say to Zion, 'Give a message of greeting'": This highlights the directional and purposeful communication. The message is not random; it's a directed gift of good news from God, intended for the reassurance and encouragement of Zion.
Isaiah 41 27 Bonus Section
The concept of God "giving" a messenger or a word is a recurring theme. It emphasizes God as the ultimate source of prophecy and guidance. This verse resonates with New Testament passages describing believers as "ambassadors" for Christ (2 Cor 5:20), carrying His message to the world. The anticipation of a herald for Zion connects to John the Baptist's role in preparing the way for Jesus (Matt 3:3) and the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:10). The "good tidings" promised here find their ultimate fulfillment in the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ, which is meant to be shared with all nations. God's plan in Isaiah 41 involves multiple stages and messengers, culminating in the perfect fulfillment in Christ.
Isaiah 41 27 Commentary
This verse reveals God's sovereign initiative in His dealings with His people. He doesn't wait for circumstances to dictate His actions; rather, He actively appoints and empowers individuals to convey His plans and promises. The "first one" designated by God is His chosen instrument to bring reassurance and hope to Zion. This points to a divine plan where God orchestrates events and communications, ensuring His message of deliverance and restoration reaches His people. It's a powerful assertion of divine foresight and active engagement in history, providing comfort to a people in exile by showing their future is secured in God's hands. The message of "greeting" signifies the good news of return, peace, and renewed favor from God.