I first have declared it to Zion: The meaning of this line in the Hebrew text of Masoretic Text is uncertain (so RSV/NRSV, Good News Translation, NJPSV footnotes|prj:NJPS.Isa 41.27). It is literally “First to Zion behold, behold them.” Revised Standard Version emends the text for its reading. The Septuagint says “I will give dominion to Zion.” On the basis of Dead Sea Scrolls, Revised English Bible suggests “I am the first to appoint a messenger to Zion.” However, de~Waard and Hebrew Old Testament Text Project suggest that translators keep Masoretic Text. For de~Waard New International Version offers a good model with “I was the first to tell Zion, ‘Look, here they are!’” (similarly Bible en français courant). This refers to the exiled Jews returning home after Cyrus decreed they could do so.

It is fairly clear from the context that the adjective first refers to Yahweh, who is speaking. The pronoun it, which is literally “them,” most likely refers to the Jews returning to Jerusalem from exile. Good News Translation has a very explicit rendering with that sense, but we prefer a translation that is less explicit, keeping the third person plural pronoun (see the first two examples below). Translators should be careful that this pronoun does not refer to the gods who are in view in the previous verse. For Revised Standard Version the pronoun “them” refers to Yahweh’s predictions about Cyrus’ rise to power, which the gods were unable to make, so it uses the pronoun it (also Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). Revised Standard Version‘s understanding of this line is possible, so translators may follow it (see the third example below). Whichever interpretation translators follow for this line, they should include a footnote to indicate that their rendering is uncertain because of difficulties in the Hebrew text.

For Zion see the comments on 1.8. Here it is parallel with Jerusalem.

And I give to Jerusalem a herald of good tidings: There is no difficulty in this half of the verse since it states clearly that God has appointed someone to proclaim a message to the people of Jerusalem. A herald of good tidings is literally a “messenger.” Since the news the messenger brings for the people of Jerusalem is good, Revised Standard Version adds of good tidings. However, strictly speaking the Hebrew word here should be rendered simply “messenger” or “herald” (see the comments on 40.9).

For the translation of this verse consider the following examples:

• I was the first to announce to the people of Zion, ‘Look, look here they come!’
I appointed a messenger to Jerusalem.

• I first announced to Zion, ‘See, see they are coming!’
I sent someone to bring the news to Jerusalem.

• I was the first to announce it to Jerusalem,
I sent a messenger with the news to the city of Zion.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .