KJV ORIGINAL
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.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
This is what the LORD says—the King of Israel and the one who saves them, the LORD of heaven's armies: I am the first, and I am the last; there is no other God besides me.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
God is declaring that He alone is the eternal, supreme God—there is no other deity before Him or after Him.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from a section where God is reassuring the Israelites during their Babylonian exile (6th century BC). The people were surrounded by nations that worshipped multiple gods, and some Israelites were tempted to follow these foreign deities. God was reminding them of His unique, eternal nature and His exclusive claim as their true King and Redeemer.
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