# General Information: Yahweh continues speaking to the people of Israel. # Jacob, and Israel Both of these refer to the people of Israel. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) # I am the first, I also am the last This phrase emphasizes Yahweh's eternal nature. Possible meanings are 1) "I am the one who began all things, and I am the one who ends all things" or 2) "I am the one who has always lived, and I am the one who always will live." See how you translated a similar phrase in [Isaiah 44:6](../44/06.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) # my hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens Here "hand" refers to Yahweh. AT: "I laid the foundation of the earth, and I spread out the heavens" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) # the foundation of the earth The word "foundation" normally refers to a stone structure that gives support to a building from underneath. Here it describes a similar structure that was thought to support and hold the earth in place. See how you translated this in [Isaiah 24:18](../24/17.md). # spread out the heavens Yahweh speaks of creating the heavens as if they were fabric which Yahweh stretched out. See how you translated a similar phrase in [Isaiah 42:5](../42/05.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) # when I call to them, they stand up together Standing up when Yahweh calls is a metaphor for being ready to obey him. Yahweh speaks of the earth and the heavens as if they were able to hear him and obey him. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) # when I call to them Possible meanings are 1) "when I call the earth and the heavens" or 2) "when I call the stars in the heavens." # translationWords * [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/names/jacob]] * [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/call]] * [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/hand]] * [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/foundation]] * [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/earth]] * [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/righthand]] * [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/heaven]]