Isaiah 45:3-5 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:4

For Jacob my servant's sake . This second motive is, in a certain sense, the main one. Cyrus is raised up, especially, to perform God's pleasure with respect to Judah and Jerusalem ( Isaiah 44:26-28 ). Jacob, his Church, is more important in God's eyes than any individual. No doubt his Church is maintained, in part, that it may be "a light to lighten the Gentiles;" but it is not maintained solely: or even mainly, for this end. Its welfare is an end in itself, and would be sought by God... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:4-5

The Divine surnaming. "I that call thee by thy name." "I have titled thee" (Cheyne's translation). Some think the reference is to the name Cyrus, or Koresh, regarded as a new title for one who was originally known as Agradates." Others, with more probability, think the reference is to the honourable epithets, "my shepherd," "my anointed." Our knowledge of Cyrus has been modified, in some very important particulars, by recent discoveries of Babylonian inscriptions. Professor Sayce is of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:5

I girded thee . As God "loosed the loins" of Cyrus's adversaries ( Isaiah 45:1 ), to weaken them, so he "girded" those of Cyrus, to give him strength (comp. Psalms 18:32 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:5

God in our past life. "I girded thee, though thou hast not known me." When the soul of man is renewed, and his rebellion against God ceases, wonderment often arises in the heart that life has not been altogether a ruin. So many times we have been near the precipice; the crumbling stones fell down into the plain; our feet well-nigh slipped. Here is the open secret. I. UNCONSCIOUS HELP . "I girded thee." We have not seen a face nor even heard a voice, but an invisible arm has been... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:3

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness - The treasures which kings have amassed, and which they have laid up in dark and secure places. The word ‘darkness,’ here, means that which was hidden, unknown, secret (compare Job 12:22). The treasures of the kings of the East were usually hidden in some obscure and strong place, and were not to be touched except in cases of pressing necessity. Alexander found vast quantities of treasure thus hidden among the Persians; and it was by taking such... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:4

For Jacob my servant’s sake - (see the note at Isaiah 42:19). The statement here is, that God had raised up Cyrus on account of his own people. The sentiment is common in the Bible, that kings and nations are in the hand of God; and that he overrules and directs their actions for the accomplishment of his own purposes, and especially to protect, defend, and deliver his people (see the note at Isaiah 10:5; compare Isaiah 47:6).I have surnamed thee - On the meaning of the word ‘surname,’ see the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:5

I am the Lord ... - (see the notes at Isaiah 42:8; Isaiah 43:2; Isaiah 44:8; Isaiah 45:14, Isaiah 45:18, Isaiah 45:22).I girded thee ... - (see the note at Isaiah 45:1). The sense is, I girded thee with the girdle - the military belt; I prepared thee, and strengthened thee for war and conquest. Even people who are strangers to the true God are sustained by him, and are unable to accomplish anything without his providential aid. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 45:2-3

Isaiah 45:2-3. I will go before thee To remove all obstructions, and prepare the way for thee. “The divine protection which attended Cyrus, and rendered his expedition against Babylon easy and prosperous, is finely expressed by this highly poetical image of God’s going before him, and making the mountains level.” I will break in pieces the gates of brass I will destroy all that oppose thee, and carry thee through the greatest difficulties. “Abydenus says that the wall of Babylon had... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 45:4-6

Isaiah 45:4-6. For Jacob my servant’s sake, &c. The prophet here gives us the reasons why God showed such favour to a prince, who had been addicted to the superstition of his country, and ignorant of the true God, that he prospered all his undertakings, and gave success to all his endeavours. It was, 1st, For Israel’s sake: For Israel, mine elect, I have even called thee, &c. I have called thee to this honour, and that by name; not for thy own sake, but for Israel’s sake:... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 45:1-19

God uses Cyrus (45:1-19)Cyrus’s many victories, and the power and wealth he gained through them, were all planned by God. God was preparing the way so that Cyrus could conquer Babylon and release the Jews. Throughout these events, Cyrus did not know God and was unaware that God was using him to carry out his purposes for Israel (45:1-4).To Cyrus, his release of the captive Jews was a relatively minor event in his long and glorious career, but in the eyes of God it was the purpose for which he... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:4-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 45:2-3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 45:4-6

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 45:1-19

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