Isaiah 45:1
New International Version
“This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

New Living Translation
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus, his anointed one, whose right hand he will empower. Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear. Their fortress gates will be opened, never to shut again.

English Standard Version
Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed:

Berean Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:

King James Bible
Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

New King James Version
“Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held— To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut:

New American Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, Whom I have taken by the right hand, To subdue nations before him And to undo the weapons belt on the waist of kings; To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

NASB 1995
Thus says the LORD to Cyrus His anointed, Whom I have taken by the right hand, To subdue nations before him And to loose the loins of kings; To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

NASB 1977
Thus says the LORD to Cyrus His anointed, Whom I have taken by the right hand, To subdue nations before him, And to loose the loins of kings; To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus says Yahweh to Cyrus His anointed, Whom I have taken hold of by his right hand, To subdue nations before him And to loose the loins of kings, To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

Amplified Bible
This is what the LORD says to His anointed, to Cyrus [king of Persia], Whose right hand I have held To subdue nations before him, And I will ungird the loins of kings [disarming them]; To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD says this to Cyrus, his anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and disarm kings, to open doors before him, and even city gates will not be shut:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD says this to Cyrus, His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him and the gates will not be shut:”

American Standard Version
Thus saith Jehovah to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him, and I will loose the loins of kings; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut:

Contemporary English Version
The LORD said to Cyrus, his chosen one: I have taken hold of your right hand to help you capture nations and remove kings from power. City gates will open for you; not one will stay closed.

English Revised Version
Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him, and I will loose the loins of kings; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what the LORD says about Cyrus, his anointed one: I have held him by his right hand so he could conquer the nations ahead of him, strip kings of their power, and open doors ahead of him so that the gates would not be shut.

Good News Translation
The LORD has chosen Cyrus to be king. He has appointed him to conquer nations; he sends him to strip kings of their power; the LORD will open the gates of cities for him. To Cyrus the LORD says,

International Standard Version
This is what the LORD says to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, as I strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him and gates that cannot keep closed:

Majority Standard Bible
This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:

NET Bible
This is what the LORD says to his chosen one, to Cyrus, whose right hand I hold in order to subdue nations before him, and disarm kings, to open doors before him, so gates remain unclosed:

New Heart English Bible
Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Kurush, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him, and strip kings of their armor; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut:

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two-leaved gates, and the gates shall not be shut;

World English Bible
Yahweh says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their armor, to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut:
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Thus said YHWH, "" To His anointed, to Cyrus, "" Whose right hand I have laid hold on, "" To subdue nations before him, "" Indeed, I loose loins of kings, "" To open double doors before him, "" Indeed, gates are not shut:

Young's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah, To His anointed, to Cyrus, Whose right hand I have laid hold on, To subdue nations before him, Yea, loins of kings I loose, To open before him two-leaved doors, Yea, gates are not shut:

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah to his Messiah, to Cyrus whom I held by his right hand to bring down nations before him; and I will loosen the loins of kings to open before him the doors; and the gates shall not be shut.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
THUS saith the Lord to my anointed Cyrus, whose right hand I have taken hold of, to subdue nations before his face, and to turn the backs of kings, and to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus says the Lord to my anointed Cyrus, whose right hand I hold, so that I may subjugate the nations before his face, and I may turn the backs of kings, and I may open the doors before him, and so that the gates will not be shut.

New American Bible
Thus says the LORD to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I grasp, Subduing nations before him, stripping kings of their strength, Opening doors before him, leaving the gates unbarred:

New Revised Standard Version
Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their robes, to open doors before him— and the gates shall not be closed:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THUS says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have upheld, to subdue nations before him: I will loose the loins of kings, to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus says LORD JEHOVAH to his Anointed, to Cyrus, whom I have held by his right hand: the nations shall be subject before him and the loins of Kings I shall loose, to open doors before him and the doors shall not be shut
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus saith the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, To subdue nations before him, And to loose the loins of kings; To open the doors before him, And that the gates may not be shut:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thus saith the Lord God to my anointed Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, that nations might be obedient before him; and I will break through the strength of kings; I will open doors before him, and cities shall not be closed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Calls Cyrus
1This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut: 2“I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.…

Cross References
Ezra 1:1-2
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah.

2 Chronicles 36:22-23
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”

Daniel 5:28-31
PERES means that your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.” / Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel in purple, placed a gold chain around his neck, and proclaimed him the third highest ruler in the kingdom. / That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain, ...

Jeremiah 25:12
But when seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it an everlasting desolation.

Jeremiah 50:3
For a nation from the north will come against her; it will make her land a desolation. No one will live in it; both man and beast will flee.”

Jeremiah 51:11
Sharpen the arrows! Fill the quivers! The LORD has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because His plan is aimed at Babylon to destroy her, for it is the vengeance of the LORD—vengeance for His temple.

Jeremiah 51:28
Prepare the nations for battle against her—the kings of the Medes, their governors and all their officials, and all the lands they rule.

Isaiah 41:2-4
Who has aroused one from the east and called him to his feet in righteousness? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow. / He pursues them, going on safely, hardly touching the path with his feet. / Who has performed this and carried it out, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD—the first and the last—I am He.”

Isaiah 44:28
who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’”

Isaiah 46:11
I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it.

Isaiah 48:14-15
Come together, all of you, and listen: Which of the idols has foretold these things? The LORD’s chosen ally will carry out His desire against Babylon, and His arm will be against the Chaldeans. / I, even I, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I have brought him, and he will succeed in his mission.

Daniel 6:28
So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Matthew 1:1
This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:

Luke 2:1
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire.

Acts 17:26
From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.


Treasury of Scripture

Thus said the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

to his

Isaiah 13:3
I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.

Isaiah 44:28
That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

1 Kings 19:15
And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:

whose

Isaiah 41:13
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isaiah 42:6
I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

Psalm 73:23
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

holden.

Ezekiel 30:21-24
Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword…

to subdue

Isaiah 41:2,25
Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow…

Ezra 1:1
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

Jeremiah 50:3,35
For out of the north there cometh up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they shall remove, they shall depart, both man and beast…

to open.

Nahum 2:6
The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved.

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Isaiah 45
1. God calls Cyrus for his church's sake
5. By his omnipotence he challenges obedience
20. He convinces the idols of vanity by his saving power














This is what the LORD says
The phrase underscores the divine authority and sovereignty of God. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This introduction signals that the message is not of human origin but a divine proclamation, reinforcing the belief in the Bible as the inspired Word of God.

to Cyrus
Cyrus, the Persian king, is uniquely named in the Bible long before his birth, demonstrating God's omniscience and control over history. Historically, Cyrus the Great was known for his military prowess and benevolent rule, which aligns with the biblical narrative of him being used by God to fulfill His purposes, particularly in the liberation of the Israelites from Babylonian captivity.

His anointed one
The term "anointed" in Hebrew is "mashiach," often translated as "messiah." While typically reserved for Israelite kings and priests, its application to a Gentile king like Cyrus highlights God's ability to use anyone, regardless of their background, to accomplish His divine will. This foreshadows the ultimate Anointed One, Jesus Christ, who brings salvation to all nations.

whose right hand I have grasped
The imagery of God grasping Cyrus's right hand signifies divine empowerment and guidance. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the right hand symbolized strength and authority. By holding Cyrus's hand, God assures His support and direction, ensuring the success of Cyrus's endeavors as part of His divine plan.

to subdue nations before him
This phrase reflects the historical reality of Cyrus's conquests, where he established the vast Persian Empire. Biblically, it illustrates God's power to orchestrate geopolitical events to fulfill His promises, such as the return of the Jewish exiles to their homeland, demonstrating His faithfulness and sovereignty over all nations.

to disarm kings
The disarming of kings signifies the removal of obstacles and opposition. Historically, Cyrus's campaigns were marked by relatively swift victories, often attributed to his strategic acumen and the favor of God. This serves as a reminder of God's ability to dismantle earthly powers and establish His divine order.

to open the doors before him
This phrase symbolizes the removal of barriers and the granting of access. In the context of Cyrus's conquests, it suggests the ease with which he captured fortified cities. Spiritually, it represents God's providence in opening doors of opportunity and blessing for those who align with His purposes.

so that their gates will not be shut
The assurance that gates will remain open signifies unimpeded progress and success. In ancient times, city gates were crucial for defense, and their opening indicated vulnerability. Here, it reflects God's promise of victory and the unstoppable nature of His plans, encouraging believers to trust in His ability to overcome any obstacle.

XLV.

(1) To his anointed . . .--The name is none other than the Messiah, the Christ, with which we are familiar, here and here only applied to a heathen king. It has to be remembered that the words had not yet received the special application given to it in Daniel 9:26, and had been used of the theocratic kings, of Saul (1Samuel 26:9; 1Samuel 26:11; 1Samuel 26:16), of the house of David (2Samuel 22:51; 2Samuel 23:1), and of the patriarch Abraham (Psalm 105:15). What is meant, therefore, is that Cyrus, the future deliverer, would be as truly a king "by the grace of God" as David had been, not only, like Nebuchadnezzar, "a servant of Jehovah" (Jeremiah 27:6; Jeremiah 43:10), but "fulfilling all his pleasure," whom He grasps by the right hand and guides. . . .

Verses 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, 25). But no heathen monarch had previously been personally addressed by God, much less called "his anointed," and spoken to by his name (ver. 4). Three motives are mentioned for this special favour to him:

(1) that he might acknowledge Jehovah to be the true God;

(2) that Israel might be benefited and advantaged by him;

(3) that the attention of the whole world might be attracted, and the unity of God made manifest far and wide (vers. 3-6). Verse 1. - Thus saith the Lord to his anointed. The "anointed of Jehovah" is elsewhere always either an Israelite king, or the expected Deliverer of the nation, "Messiah the Prince" (Daniel 9:25). This Deliverer, however, was to be of the line of David (Isaiah 11:1), and of the city of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), so that we can scarcely suppose Isaiah to have seen him in Cyrus. But he may have seen in Cyrus a type of the great Deliverer, as he saw in the release of Israel from the power of Babylon a type of their deliverance from sin. Whose right hand I have holden; rather, strengthened (comp. Ezekiel 30:24). To subdue nations before him (see above, Isaiah 41:2, and the comment ad loc.). Among the nations subdued by Cyrus may be mentioned the Medes, the Babylonians, the Lydians, the Caftans, the Caunians, the Lycians, the Bactrians, the Sacae, the Parthians, the Hyrcanians, the Chorasmians, the Sogdians, the Arians of Herat, the Zarangians, the Arachosians, the Satagydians, and the Gandarians. I will loose the loins of kings; i.e. render them weak and incapable of resistance" (comp. Daniel 5:6), net "disarm them" (Cheyne); for the chief royal weapons were the spear and the bow, neither of which was carried at the girdle. To open before him the two-leaved gates. The cities and forts repro-sented on the Assyrian monuments have invariably their gateways closed by two large gates or doors which meet in the centre of the gateway. The bronze plating found at Ballarat gave the dimensions, and showed the strength of such gates ('Transactions of the Society of Bibl. Archseol.,' vol. 7. pp. 83-88).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This is what
כֹּה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָה֮ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

says
אָמַ֣ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to Cyrus
לְכ֣וֹרֶשׁ (lə·ḵō·w·reš)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3566: Cyrus -- a person king

His anointed,
לִמְשִׁיחוֹ֮ (lim·šî·ḥōw)
Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4899: Anointed, a consecrated person, the Messiah

whose right hand
בִֽימִינ֗וֹ (ḇî·mî·nōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3225: The right hand, side, the south

I have grasped
הֶחֱזַ֣קְתִּי (he·ḥĕ·zaq·tî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

to subdue
לְרַד־ (lə·raḏ-)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7286: To tread in pieces, to conquer, to overlay

nations
גּוֹיִ֔ם (gō·w·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

before him,
לְפָנָיו֙ (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

to disarm
אֲפַתֵּ֑חַ (’ă·p̄at·tê·aḥ)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

kings,
מְלָכִ֖ים (mə·lā·ḵîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4428: A king

to open
לִפְתֹּ֤חַ (lip̄·tō·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

the doors
דְּלָתַ֔יִם (də·lā·ṯa·yim)
Noun - fd
Strong's 1817: Something swinging, the valve of a, door

before him,
לְפָנָיו֙ (lə·p̄ā·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

so that the gates
וּשְׁעָרִ֖ים (ū·šə·‘ā·rîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

will not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be shut:
יִסָּגֵֽרוּ׃ (yis·sā·ḡê·rū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5462: To shut up, to surrender


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OT Prophets: Isaiah 45:1 Thus says Yahweh to his anointed (Isa Isi Is)
Isaiah 44:28
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