The Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 45:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

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).

More for Isaiah 45:1-7

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

commentaryMatthew Henry on Isaiah 45:1-4Cyrus is called God's anointed; he was designed and qualified for his great service by the counsel of God. The gates of Babylon which led to the river, were left open the night that Cyrus marched his army into the empty…Matthew Henry commentaryProphecies Concerning Cyrus. (b. c. 708.)PROPHECIES CONCERNING CYRUS. (B. C. 708.) Cyrus was a Mede, descended (as some say) from Astyages king of Media. The pagan writers are not agreed in their accounts of his origin. Some tell us that in his infancy he was…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 45:1-8Cyrus 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 importan…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 45:1-5The unfelt hand on the human heart. Of this passage the most striking and inviting words are those in the fourth and fifth verses: "I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me;" "I girded thee, though thou hast…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 45:1-25EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 45:1Thus 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 b…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 45:2I will … make the crooked places straight; rather, I will make the rugged places level. No doubt intended generally, "I will smooth his way before him." The gates of brass … the bars of iron. According to Herodotus, the…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Isaiah 45:2The secret of assured success. These figures indicate the removal of all obstacles and hindrances out of the way of him who is called of God, entrusted with some particular work for God, and helped of God in the doing o…Joseph S. Exell and contributors