King James Version

What Does Isaiah 43:10 Mean?

Isaiah 43:10 in the King James Version says “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand ... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 43 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. no: or, nothing formed of God

Isaiah 43:10 · KJV


Context

8

Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

9

Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.

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. no: or, nothing formed of God

11

I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

12

I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God declares 'Ye are my witnesses' to Israel—their existence and experience testify to His reality. The purposes: 'that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he.' The Hebrew 'yada' (know), 'aman' (believe), and 'bin' (understand) progress from experiential to intellectual to comprehensive knowledge. The emphatic 'I am he' asserts absolute deity.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's calling as witnesses meant their history—exodus, covenant, exile, restoration—demonstrates God's existence and character. Their very survival against odds proves His faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your life function as a witness to God's reality and faithfulness?
  2. What experiences have moved you from knowing about God to knowing Him personally?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
אַתֶּ֤ם1 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עֵדַי֙2 of 22

Ye are my witnesses

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

נְאֻם3 of 22

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה4 of 22

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְעַבְדִּ֖י5 of 22

and my servant

H5650

a servant

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּחָ֑רְתִּי7 of 22

whom I have chosen

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

לְמַ֣עַן8 of 22
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

תֵּ֠דְעוּ9 of 22

that ye may know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וְתַאֲמִ֨ינוּ10 of 22

and believe

H539

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

לִ֤י11 of 22
H0
וְתָבִ֙ינוּ֙12 of 22

me and understand

H995

to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand

כִּֽי13 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֣י14 of 22
H589

i

ה֔וּא15 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לְפָנַי֙16 of 22

that I am he before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

לֹא17 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נ֣וֹצַר18 of 22

formed

H3335

to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)

אֵ֔ל19 of 22

me there was no God

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

וְאַחֲרַ֖י20 of 22

neither shall there be after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

לֹ֥א21 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִהְיֶֽה׃22 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 43:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 43:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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