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.
Original Language Analysis
עֵדַי֙
Ye are my witnesses
H5707
עֵדַי֙
Ye are my witnesses
Strong's:
H5707
Word #:
2 of 22
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּחָ֑רְתִּי
whom I have chosen
H977
בָּחָ֑רְתִּי
whom I have chosen
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
לְמַ֣עַן
H4616
לְמַ֣עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
8 of 22
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
תֵּ֠דְעוּ
that ye may know
H3045
תֵּ֠דְעוּ
that ye may know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
9 of 22
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וְתַאֲמִ֨ינוּ
and believe
H539
וְתַאֲמִ֨ינוּ
and believe
Strong's:
H539
Word #:
10 of 22
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
וְתָבִ֙ינוּ֙
me and understand
H995
וְתָבִ֙ינוּ֙
me and understand
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
12 of 22
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ה֔וּא
H1931
ה֔וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
15 of 22
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
לְפָנַי֙
that I am he before
H6440
לְפָנַי֙
that I am he before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
16 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נ֣וֹצַר
formed
H3335
נ֣וֹצַר
formed
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
18 of 22
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
אֵ֔ל
me there was no God
H410
אֵ֔ל
me there was no God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
19 of 22
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
וְאַחֲרַ֖י
neither shall there be after
H310
וְאַחֲרַ֖י
neither shall there be after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
20 of 22
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
Cross References
Isaiah 41:4Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.Isaiah 45:6That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.Isaiah 43:12I 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.Isaiah 41:20That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.Isaiah 42:1Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.Acts 1:8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.Philippians 2:7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:John 20:31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.Revelation 1:2Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.Isaiah 41:8But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your life function as a witness to God's reality and faithfulness?
- What experiences have moved you from knowing about God to knowing Him personally?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.