Isaiah 55:4

Isaiah 55:4

Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

a. ASV: Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.

b. YLT: Lo, a witness to peoples I have given him, A leader and commander to peoples.

c. Classic Amplified: Behold, I have appointed him (Him) [David, as a representative of the Messiah, or the Messiah Himself] to be a witness [one (One) who shall testify of salvation] to the nations, a prince (Prince) and commander (Commander) to the peoples.

d. Septuagint: Behold I have made him a testimony among the Gentiles, a prince and commander to the Gentiles.

e. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/ Writings: Behold I have appointed him

1. “Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people…”

a. Behold [Strong: 2005 hen hane a primitive particle; lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if:--behold, if, lo, though.]

b. [I have] given [him] [Strong: 5414 nâthan, naw-than'; a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.):—add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, × avenge, × be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, × doubtless, × without fail, fasten, frame, × get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), × have, × indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), lie, lift up, make, O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, × pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), sing, slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, × surely, × take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, weep, willingly, withdraw, would (to) God, yield.]

c. [for a] witness [Strong: 5707 ʻêd, ayd; contracted from H5749; concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince:—witness.]

d. [to the] people [Strong: 3816 lᵉʼôm, leh-ome'; or לְאוֹם lᵉʼôwm; from an unused root meaning to gather; a community:—nation, people.]

1). This is course referring to Christ Jesus. During his ministry Jesus was a true witness of God his Father and for the truth.

a). John 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. 

b). John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

2). And he is of course the Prince of Peace, the second person of the Triune God was given to humanity to be the Prince of Peace.

a). Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

2. “…a leader and commander to the people.”

a. [a] leader [Strong: 5057 nâgîyd, naw-gheed'; or נָגִד nâgid; from H5046; a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes:—captain, chief, excellent thing, (chief) governor, leader, noble, prince, (chief) ruler.]

b. [and] commander [Strong: 6680 tsâvâh, tsaw-vaw'; a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin:—appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.]

c. [to the] people [Strong: 3816 lᵉʼôm, leh-ome'; or לְאוֹם lᵉʼôwm; from an unused root meaning to gather; a community:—nation, people.]

1). There are two passages that comes to my mind looking at these definitions, especially the thought of a military commander or captain. 

a). Joshua 5:13-15 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

5:14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

5:15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

b). Revelation 19:11-16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

2). The writer of Hebrews when referring to Jesus called him  the captain of our salvation.

a). Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

3). Jesus is the leader of the church, His body and he is the author and finisher of our faith.

a). Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

b). Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.