Isaiah 45:1-9

1 The Lord says this to Cyrus, His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to unloose the loins[a] of kings, to open the doors before him and the gates will not be shut:
2 "I will go before you and level the uneven places;[b] I will shatter the bronze doors and cut the iron bars in two.
3 I will give you the treasures of darkness and riches from secret places, so that you may know that I, the Lord, the God of Israel call you by your name.
4 I call you by your name, because of Jacob My servant and Israel My chosen one. I give a name to you, though you do not know Me.
5 I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God but Me. I will strengthen[c] you, though you do not know Me,
6 so that all may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is no one but Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.
7 I form light and create darkness, I make success and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.
8 "Heavens, sprinkle from above, and let the skies shower righteousness. Let the earth open up that salvation sprout and righteousness spring up with it. I, the Lord, have created it.
9 "Woe to the one who argues with his Maker- one clay pot among many.[d] Does clay say to the one forming it: What are you making? Or does your work [say]: He has no hands?[e]

Isaiah 45:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 45

This chapter contains prophecies concerning Cyrus, the deliverer of the Jews from captivity; and concerning the grace, righteousness, and salvation of Christ; and the conversion of the Gentiles. An account is given of Cyrus, and of the great things God would do for him, and by him, Isa 45:1-3 and the ends for which he would do these things, for the sake of his people Israel; and that he might be known to be the only true God, who is the Maker of all things, Isa 45:4-7 an intimation is given of the Messiah, as the author of righteousness and salvation; and of the contention and murmuring of the Jews about him, Isa 45:8-10, encouragement is given to pray for and expect good things by him for the children of God, in consideration of the greatness of God as the Creator, who would raise him up in righteousness, the antitype of Cyrus, Isa 45:11-13, the conversion of the Gentiles, the confusion of idolaters, and the salvation of the Israel of God, are prophesied of, Isa 45:14-17, which are confirmed by his works and his word, what he had done and said, Isa 45:18,19, the vanity of idols is exposed, and Christ the only Saviour asserted, to whom persons in all nations are directed to look for salvation, Isa 45:20-22 when it is affirmed with an oath that all shall be subject to him; that his people shall come to him for righteousness and strength; that his enemies shall be ashamed, and the spiritual Israel of God shall be justified, and glory in him, Isa 45:23-25.

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. To gird the loins is to prepare for battle (2 Sm 20:8), so to unloose them is to surrender.
  • [b]. DSS, LXX read the mountains
  • [c]. Lit gird
  • [d]. Lit a clay pot with clay pots of the ground
  • [e]. Or . . . making? Your work has no hands (or handles).
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