Isaiah 45:5

5 I am the LORD, and there is no one else; there is no God beside me; I shall gird thee, though thou hast 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 thee the hidden treasures and the well-guarded secrets that thou may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who gives thee thy name.

4 For Jacob my slave’s sake and Israel my elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

5 I am the LORD, and there is no one else; there is no God beside me; I shall gird thee, though thou hast not known me

6 that it may be known from the rising of the sun and from where it goes down that there is no one beside me. I am the LORD, and there is no one else.

7 I form the light and create darkness; I make peace and create evil: I am the LORD that does all this.