Isaiah 45:5

5 I am the LORD, and there is none else; besides me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known me;

Isaiah 45:5 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 45:5

I am the Lord, and there is none else
Whom thou, O Cyrus, for the words are directed to him, ought to own, serve, and worship: there is no God besides me;
in heaven or earth, in any of the countries conquered by thee, and thou rulest over; for though there were gods and lords many, so called, these were only nominal fictitious deities; not gods by nature, as he was; of which the following, as well as what is before said, is a proof: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me;
the Lord girded him with a royal girdle, a symbol of kingly power; he made him king over many nations; he girded him with strength, courage, and valour for war; and made him so expeditious, successful, and victorious, as he was, though a Heathen prince, and ignorant of him, in order to answer some valuable ends of his own glory, and the good of his people, and particularly for what follows.

Isaiah 45:5 In-Context

3 and I will give you the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, who call you by your name, even the God of Yisra'el.

4 For Ya`akov my servant's sake, and Yisra'el my chosen, I have called you by your name: I have surnamed you, though you have not known me.

5 I am the LORD, and there is none else; besides me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known me;

6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me: I am the LORD, and there is no one else.

7 I form the light, and create darkness; I make shalom, and create evil. I am the LORD, who does all these things.