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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 45:5-10

God here asserts his sole and sovereign dominion, as that which he designed to prove and manifest to the world in all the great things he did for Cyrus and by him. Observe, I. How this doctrine is here laid down concerning the sovereignty of the great Jehovah, in two things:?1. That he is God alone, and there is no God besides him. This is here inculcated as a fundamental truth, which, if it were firmly believed, would abolish idolatry out of the world. With what an awful, commanding, air of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 45:6

That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west ,.... That all the inhabitants of the world, from east to west, which takes in the habitable part of the world, that from north to south not being entirely so; that all within this compass, by hearing what great things God did by Cyrus, and for his people, might know, own, and acknowledge, that there is none besides me: I am the Lord, and there is none else ; or, "besides me there is nothing" F12 ואין עוד "quod... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:1-7

GOD 'S WILL CONCERNING HIM ANNOUNCED TO CYRUS . This direct address of God to a heathen king is without a parallel in Scripture. Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, Abimelech, were warned through dreams. Nebuchadnezzar was even promised Divine aid ( Ezekiel 30:24 , Ezekiel 30:25 ). But no heathen monarch had previously been personally addressed by God, much less called "his anointed," and spoken to by his name ( Isaiah 45:4 ). Three motives are mentioned for this special favour... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:1-8

Cyrus the anointed of Jehovah. I. THE REASON OF THE DIVINE FAVOR TO CYRUS . Cyrus is the only king out of Israel who bears the title of Jehovah's anointed. He is solemnly set apart as an instrument to perform an important public service in the cause of Jehovah. It does not necessarily imply the piety of Cyrus. For the purposes of Jehovah he is upheld, "grasped by the right hand," that he may subdue nations before him—from the Euxine to Egypt, from the Indian Ocean to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:6

That they may know from the rising of the sun . Here we have the third motive of the Divine action respecting Cyrus. The attention of all the world from the extreme east to the extreme west, would be drawn by the wonderful occurrences. Jehovah's hand in them would be perceived, and his sole Godhead would obtain acknowledgment. An impulse was doubtless given to monotheism by the victories of Cyrus and the favour which he showed the Jews; but it cannot be said to have been very marked.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 45:6-8

An old perplexity. From very ancient times, through very many generations, there has presented itself to the human mind the perplexity which arises from the antagonism of forces. We find everywhere— I. OPPOSITE ASPECTS OF HUMAN LIFE . Here are light and darkness, peace and evil ( Isaiah 45:7 ). On the one hand are signs and indications of a marvellous and minute benevolence. In the sea, in the soil, in the forests, in the air, and on the earth; in fish, in insects, in beast,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:6

That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west - This phrase is evidently used here to designate the whole world. Kimchi says, that the reason why the north and the south are not mentioned here is, that the earth from the east to the west is perfectly inhabitable, but not so from the north to the south. That this was accomplished, see Ezra 1:1 ff Cyrus made public proclamation that Yahweh had given him all the kingdoms of the earth, and had commanded him to rebuild the temple... 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

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