Isaiah 45:10-20

10 Woe to him who says to a father, 'What are you begetting?' or to a woman, 'With what are you in labor?'"
11 Thus says 1the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him: 2"Ask me of things to come; will you command me 3concerning my children and 4the work of my hands?[a]
12 5I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands 6that stretched out the heavens, and 7I commanded all their host.
13 8I have stirred him up in righteousness, 9and I will make all his ways level; 10he shall build my city 11and set my exiles free, not for price or reward," says the LORD of hosts.

The Lord, the Only Savior

14 Thus says the LORD: 12"The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you 13and be yours; they shall follow you; they shall come over in chains and bow down to you. They will plead with you, saying: 'Surely God is in you, and there is no other, no god besides him.'"
15 14Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.
16 15All of them are put to shame and confounded; the makers of idols go in confusion together.
17 But Israel is saved by the LORD with everlasting salvation; 16you shall not be put to shame or confounded to all eternity.
18 17For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he 18did not create it empty, 19he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no other.
19 20I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, 21'Seek me in vain.'[b] I the LORD speak 22the truth; I declare what is right.
20 23"Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, you survivors of the nations! 24They have no knowledge who 25carry about their wooden idols, 26and keep on praying to a god that cannot save.

Isaiah 45:10-20 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.

Cross References 26

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. A slight emendation yields will you question me about my children, or command me concerning the work of my hands?
  • [b]. Hebrew in emptiness
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.