Isaiahchapter 45

25 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 494 cross-references outward and receives 627 — heaviest partner: Isaiah.

Chapter summary

Cyrus is named Jehovah's "anointed," whose right hand Jehovah holds to subdue nations, break doors of brass, and receive treasures of darkness — all for Jacob's sake, though Cyrus has not known him. The refrain "I am Jehovah, and there is none else" structures the chapter: he forms light and creates darkness, makes peace and creates calamity. A double woe falls on the potsherd that strives with its Maker, the clay questioning the potter. Cyrus will build the city and free the exiles without price; Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Sabeans will come over in chains confessing "God is in thee." Jehovah, who formed the earth to be inhabited, invites all the ends of the earth to look to him and be saved, swearing by himself that every knee shall bow and every tongue swear — the oath of verse 23 that the New Testament quotes in Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10-11.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Prophecy · Isaiah — see the Isaiah overview for the book's full setting.

1 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:

2 I will go before thee, and make the rough places smooth; I will break in pieces the doors of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron;

3 and I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that it is I, Jehovah, who call thee by thy name, even the God of Israel.

4 For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

5 I am Jehovah, and there is none else; besides me there is no God. I will gird thee, though thou hast not known me;

6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me: I am Jehovah, and there is none else.

7 I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I am Jehovah, that doeth all these things.

8 Distil, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, that it may bring forth salvation, and let it cause righteousness to spring up together; I, Jehovah, have created it.

9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! a potsherd among the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?