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.
Original Language Analysis
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 13
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
פָעַ֣ל
Who hath wrought
H6466
פָעַ֣ל
Who hath wrought
Strong's:
H6466
Word #:
2 of 13
to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
וְעָשָׂ֔ה
and done
H6213
וְעָשָׂ֔ה
and done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 13
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
קֹרֵ֥א
it calling
H7121
קֹרֵ֥א
it calling
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
4 of 13
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
הַדֹּר֖וֹת
the generations
H1755
הַדֹּר֖וֹת
the generations
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
מֵרֹ֑אשׁ
from the beginning
H7218
מֵרֹ֑אשׁ
from the beginning
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
6 of 13
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
יְהוָה֙
I the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
I the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
רִאשׁ֔וֹן
the first
H7223
רִאשׁ֔וֹן
the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
9 of 13
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Revelation 22:13I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.Isaiah 48:12Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.Revelation 1:17And 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 41:26Who 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 46:10Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:Isaiah 43:10Ye 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.Acts 17:26And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;Isaiah 42:24Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.Revelation 1:8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.Revelation 1:11Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Historical Context
This declaration answers the trial challenge of verse 1—only the eternal God who exists before and after all history can orchestrate events across generations. Babylonian gods, bound to time, cannot make such claims.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's existence as First and Last affect your understanding of His promises?
- What comfort comes from knowing the same God who began creation will complete redemption?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's rhetorical question demands recognition of His sovereign control: He has 'wrought and done' all this, calling generations from the beginning. The titles 'I the LORD, the first, and with the last' anticipate Revelation 1:8, 22:13 where Christ claims the same divine attribute, showing God's eternal existence and sovereign plan spanning all history.