Isaiah 43:10–11

Context

Isaiah 40–55 is a section that brings a message of restoration and comfort to Israel during the Babylonian exile. Chapter 43 opens with "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee" (Isaiah 43:1–2). Verses 8–13 are structured like a courtroom scene. The nations are challenged to bring forward witnesses for their gods, and God appoints Israel, a people who have eyes yet do not see, as his own witnesses. Verses 10–11 form the declaration that concludes this trial. They state that no god was formed before God and none will be after him, and that besides the LORD there is no savior.

Interpretation

• Jewish and Old Testament scholarly readings: The passage is understood as a clear monotheistic declaration that denies the very existence of other gods. Together with Isaiah 44:6, 45:21, and similar texts, it is treated as expressing the central theme of this section.
• Traditional Christian reading: The phrase "that I am he" (Hebrew ani hu; Septuagint egō eimi) is connected with Jesus' words "I am" (John 8:58). Interpreters also point to the New Testament's designation of Jesus as "Saviour" (Titus 2:13; Luke 2:10–11). On this basis the passage is used as an argument for Trinitarian faith, which holds that Jesus is the same God as the LORD of this passage.
• The reading of Jehovah's Witnesses: This group is known to have taken its name in 1931 from the words "Ye are my witnesses" in verse 10. It maintains that Jehovah alone is the true God and that Jesus is the agent of salvation sent by Jehovah.

Debates and Issues

• The central issue is how the passage bears on the deity of Jesus. Major denominations cite this passage in confessing the deity of both the Father and the Son, whereas Jehovah's Witnesses read the same passage as affirming the uniqueness of the Father alone.
• Views also differ on to whom the title "witness" should be applied. Major denominations hold that in the original context the witnesses were exilic Israel, and that in the New Testament this role passes to the disciples of Christ (Acts 1:4–5 and following). Accordingly, they are critical of any particular group's claiming the title exclusively as its name.
• There are also differences in translation. In Korean Bibles, the divine name is rendered "Yeohowa" (Jehovah) in the New Korean Revised Version, "Yahweh" in the Common Translation, and generally "the Lord" in the New Korean Standard Version. Because "servant" is singular in the Hebrew, some interpreters also connect the passage with Isaiah's Servant Songs.

In the Korean Church

The expression "Ye are my witnesses" is often quoted in sermons on evangelism and missions when speaking of the calling to be witnesses. In counseling ministries concerning heretical groups, it is a passage frequently addressed when explaining and refuting the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Related Passages

• Isaiah 44:6
• Isaiah 45:21
• Isaiah 46:9
• Deuteronomy 5:6–10
• 1 Corinthians 8:4–6