Isaiah 41:27
New International Version
I was the first to tell Zion, ‘Look, here they are!’ I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good news.

New Living Translation
I was the first to tell Zion, ‘Look! Help is on the way!’ I will send Jerusalem a messenger with good news.

English Standard Version
I was the first to say to Zion, “Behold, here they are!” and I give to Jerusalem a herald of 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.

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

New King James Version
The first time I said to Zion, ‘Look, there they are!’ And I will give to Jerusalem one who brings good tidings.

New American Standard Bible
“Previously I said to Zion, ‘Behold, here they are.’ And to Jerusalem, ‘I will give a messenger of good news.’

NASB 1995
“Formerly I said to Zion, ‘Behold, here they are.’ And to Jerusalem, ‘I will give a messenger of good news.’

NASB 1977
“Formerly I said to Zion, ‘Behold, here they are.’ And to Jerusalem, ‘I will give a messenger of good news.’

Legacy Standard Bible
“Formerly I said to Zion, ‘Behold, here they are.’ And to Jerusalem, ‘I will give a messenger of good news.’

Amplified Bible
“I was first to say to Zion, ‘Listen carefully, here they are [the Jews who will be restored to their own land].’ And to Jerusalem, ‘I will provide a messenger (Isaiah) to bring the good news [that Cyrus will be stirred up and put into action to save them].’

Christian Standard Bible
I was the first to say to Zion, ‘Look! Here they are! ’ And I gave Jerusalem a herald with good news.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I was the first to say to Zion: Look! Here they are! And I gave a herald of good news to Jerusalem.

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.

Contemporary English Version
I was the first to tell the people of Jerusalem, "Look, it's happening!" I was the one who announced this good news to Zion.

English Revised Version
I first will say unto Zion, Behold, behold them; and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I was the first to tell Zion, 'Look, here they are.' I gave Jerusalem a messenger with the good news.

Good News Translation
I, the LORD, was the first to tell Zion the news; I sent a messenger to Jerusalem to say, 'Your people are coming! They are coming home!'

International Standard Version
First, to Zion: "There is slumber." And to Jerusalem: "I'll send a messenger with good news."

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

NET Bible
I first decreed to Zion, 'Look, here's what will happen!' I sent a herald to Jerusalem.

New Heart English Bible
I am the first to say to Zion, 'Look, look at them;' and I will give one who brings good news to Jerusalem.

Webster's Bible Translation
The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.

World English Bible
I am the first to say to Zion, ‘Behold, look at them;’ and I will give one who brings good news to Jerusalem.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
First to Zion, "" Behold, behold them, "" And to Jerusalem I give one proclaiming tidings,

Young's Literal Translation
First to Zion, Behold, behold them, And to Jerusalem one proclaiming tidings I give,

Smith's Literal Translation
The first to Zion, Behold, behold them: and to Jerusalem I will give him announcing good news.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The first shall say to Sion: Behold they are here, and to Jerusalem I will give an evangelist.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The first one will say to Zion: “Behold, they are here,” and to Jerusalem, “I will present an evangelist.”

New American Bible
“The first news for Zion: here they come,” or, “I will give Jerusalem a herald of good news.”

New Revised Standard Version
I first have declared it to Zion, and I give to Jerusalem a herald of good tidings.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
These things are the chief concern of Zion; behold, I will give to Jerusalem one that brings good tidings.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
These are the first fruits of Zion, and I shall give to Jerusalem an Evangelist
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A harbinger unto Zion will I give: 'Behold, behold them', And to Jerusalem a messenger of good tidings.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I will give dominion to Sion, and will comfort Jerusalem by the way.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Meaningless Idols
26Who has declared this from the beginning, so that we may know, and from times past, so that we may say: ‘He was right’? No one announced it, no one foretold it, no one heard your words. 27I was the first to tell Zion: ‘Look, here they are!’ And I gave to Jerusalem a herald of good news. 28When I look, there is no one; there is no counselor among them; when I ask them, they have nothing to say.…

Cross References
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Isaiah 40:9
Go up on a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news. Raise your voice loudly, O Jerusalem, herald of good news. Lift it up, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”

Isaiah 60:6
Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.

Isaiah 62:11
Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: See, your Savior comes! Look, His reward is with Him, and His recompense goes before Him.”

Isaiah 44:28
who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’”

Isaiah 45:1
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:

Isaiah 46:10
I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’

Isaiah 48:14
Come together, all of you, and listen: Which of the idols has foretold these things? The LORD’s chosen ally will carry out His desire against Babylon, and His arm will be against the Chaldeans.

Isaiah 49:6
He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Isaiah 52:10
The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,

Isaiah 63:1
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”

Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Matthew 12:18-21
“Here is My Servant, whom I have chosen, My beloved, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations. / He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear His voice in the streets. / A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory. ...

Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, / to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”


Treasury of Scripture

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

first

Isaiah 41:4
Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.

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.

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.

I will give

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 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.

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!

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Declared First Formerly Glad Good Harbinger Herald Jerusalem Messenger News Proclaiming Tidings Word Zion
Isaiah 41
1. God expostulates with his people, about his mercies to the church.
10. About his promises
21. And about the vanity of idols.














I was the first to tell Zion
This phrase emphasizes God's initiative and sovereignty. The Hebrew root for "first" (רִאשׁוֹן, rishon) signifies primacy and precedence, indicating that God is the originator of the message to Zion. Historically, Zion represents the city of Jerusalem, the spiritual heart of Israel. God's communication to Zion underscores His role as the divine herald, the one who initiates revelation and guidance to His chosen people. This reflects the consistent biblical theme of God as the proactive communicator, reaching out to humanity with His plans and purposes.

Look, here they are!
This phrase is a call to attention, urging the audience to witness the fulfillment of God's promises. The imperative "Look" (הִנֵּה, hinneh) is often used in Scripture to draw attention to something significant or to introduce a divine revelation. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the tangible reality of His words coming to pass. In the context of Isaiah, this could refer to the return of the exiles or the coming of messianic hope, both of which are central themes in the prophetic literature.

And I gave to Jerusalem a herald of good news
The term "herald" (מְבַשֵּׂר, mevaser) is rooted in the concept of bringing good news or glad tidings. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a herald was a messenger who announced significant events, often related to victory or peace. The "good news" here is indicative of God's redemptive plans for Jerusalem, pointing to the restoration and salvation that He promises. This anticipates the New Testament concept of the Gospel, the ultimate good news of Jesus Christ. The historical and prophetic context of Isaiah often foreshadows the coming of Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises to His people.

(27) The first shall say to Zion.--The italics show the difficulty and abruptness of the originals. A preferable rendering is, (1) I was the first that said to Zion, &c. No oracle or soothsayer anticipated that message of deliverance (Ewald, Del.); or (2) a forerunner shall say . . . The words "Behold them" point to the returning exiles. The second clause fits in better with (2), and explains it. Jehovah sends a herald of good news (not Cyrus himself, but a messenger reporting his victories, or possibly Isaiah himself, as a more distant herald) to Jerusalem, to say that the exiles are returning.

Verse 27. - The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them; rather, the first has said. By "the first" must certainly be meant Jehovah - " the First, and with the last" of ver. 4. He has already announced to Zion her deliverance (see Isaiah 40:9-11; Isaiah 41:2, etc.). I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings. Perhaps Isaiah himself (Grotius, Stier, Delitzsch). Perhaps some prophet of the Captivity, as Daniel, who "knew by books" when the Captivity was drawing to a close (Daniel 9:2), and may be supposed to have announced the good tidings to the other exiles.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I was the first to tell
רִאשׁ֥וֹן (ri·šō·wn)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank

Zion:
לְצִיּ֖וֹן (lə·ṣî·yō·wn)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6726: Zion -- a mountain in Jerusalem, also a name for Jerusalem

‘Look,
הִנֵּ֣ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

here they are!’
הִנָּ֑ם (hin·nām)
Interjection | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!

And I gave
אֶתֵּֽן׃ (’et·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to Jerusalem
וְלִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם (wə·lî·rū·šā·lim)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

a herald of good news.
מְבַשֵּׂ֥ר (mə·ḇaś·śêr)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1319: To be fresh, full, cheerful), to announce


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 41:27 I am the first to say (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 41:26
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