Isaiah 41:2 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-9

That particular instance of God's care for his people Israel in raising up Cyrus to be their deliverer is here insisted upon as a great proof both of his sovereignty above all idols and of his power to protect his people. Here is, I. A general challenge to the worshippers and admirers of idols to make good their pretensions, in competition with God and opposition to him, Isa. 41:1. Isa. is renewed (Isa. 41:21): Produce your cause. The court is set, summonses are sent to the islands that lay... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 41:2

Who raised up the righteous man from the east ,.... The Targum interprets this of Abraham; and so the Talmud F8 T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 156. 2. Bava Bathra, fol. 15. 1. Sanhedrin, fol. 108. 2. and Taanith, fol. 21. 1. ; and this way go most Jewish and Christian commentators, and to him the characters agree; he was a righteous man, believed in Christ for righteousness, had the righteousness of faith when circumcised, did justice, and wrought righteousness himself, and required his children... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 41:2

The righteous man - The Chaldee and Vulgate seem to have read צדיק tsaddik . But Jerome, though his translation has justum , appears to have read צדק tsedek ; for in his comment he expresses it by justum, sive justitiam . However, I think all interpreters understand it of a person. So the Septuagint in MS. Pachom. εκαλεσεν αυτον , "he hath called him;" but the other copies have αυτην , her. They are divided in ascertaining this person; some explain it of Abraham, others of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-7

ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DELIVERER , AND EFFECT ON THE SURROUNDING NATIONS . Isaiah returns to the standpoint of Isaiah 40:9-11 . A deliverer of Israel is about to appear. The nations are therefore summoned to attend, and consider the facts ( Isaiah 40:1 ). He will carry all before him ( Isaiah 40:2 , Isaiah 40:3 ), being raised up by God ( Isaiah 40:4 ). The nations will tremble, and seek the protection of their idol-deities ( Isaiah 40:5-7 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-7

Argument with the nations. Jehovah calls the countries to "come silently" unto him. Let the people pluck up what strength they may have, and let the cause between them and Jehovah come to the tribunal of reason. Have the idols any spiritual power? or is Jehovah only the true God? 1. THE VICTORIOUS CAREER OF CYRUS . This great man has, in the prophet's thought, a vocation from God. He is the minister of the Divine righteousness ( Isaiah 42:6 ; Isaiah 45:13 ). Cyrus is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-7

The false refuge and the true. In the regulation of his life, a wise man will give a large place to the consideration of what resources he will have in the times of great emergency. For he knows that such times must come to him as they come to all men, and when they come there is urgent and even terrible need of a refuge to which the stricken soul may flee. We are here reminded of— I. THE REFUGE WHICH IS FALSE , AND WHICH WILL FAIL US . ( Isaiah 41:5-7 .) We smile... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:2

Who raised up the righteous man , etc.? rather, who raised up from the East one whom righteousness will call to his foot. It is generally agreed among moderns that the reference is to Cyrus, who is further referred to in Isaiah 41:25 , in Isaiah 44:28 ; Isaiah 45:1-4 , Isaiah 45:13 ; and Isaiah 46:11 . Cyrus, whether we regard him as King of Persia, or as King of Elam (Susiana), would come from a land lying east of Babylon. "Righteousness called him to his foot" when God, the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:2

Who raised up - This word (העיר hē‛yr) is usually applied to the act of arousing one from sleep Song of Solomon 2:7; Song of Solomon 3:5; Song of Solomon 8:4; Zechariah 4:1; then to awake, arouse, or stir up to any enterprise. Here it means, that God had caused the man here referred to, to arouse for the overthrow of their enemies; it was by his agency that he had been led to form the plans which should result in their deliverance. This is the first argument which God urges to induce his... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 41:2-3

Isaiah 41:2-3. Who raised up Into being and power? Was it not my work alone? The righteous man Many expositors understand this of Abraham, who was a person eminently righteous, and was called from the other side of the Euphrates, which lay eastward from Judea, and who performed the things here mentioned, partly in his own person, conquering five kings and their people with them, (Genesis 14:0.,) and following God he knew not whither; and partly by his posterity, whose exploits may well be... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-29

The living God and idols (41:1-29)At that time Cyrus of Persia had been expanding his empire. He had conquered all the countries to the north and east, and was now threatening Babylon. The prophet imagines God calling the nations to assemble before him and asking them a question: who is it that has stirred up Cyrus to carry out this conquest? The answer: Yahweh (41:1-4).As the armies of Cyrus approach these nations the people panic, and in their distress call upon their gods for protection.... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 41:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 41:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 41:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 41:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 41:2-3

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 41:1-29

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