Isaiah 45:1-2 NKJV,NLT

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:1

1. his anointed—Cyrus is so called as being set apart as king, by God's providence, to fulfil His special purpose. Though kings were not anointed in Persia, the expression is applied to him in reference to the Jewish custom of setting apart kings to the regal office by anointing. right hand . . . holden—image from sustaining a feeble person by holding his right hand ( :-). subdue nations—namely, the Cilicians, Syrians, Babylonians, Lydians, Bactrians, c. his empire extended from Egypt and the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:2

2. crooked . . . straight— (Isaiah 40:4), rather, "maketh mountains plain" [LOWTH], that is, clear out of thy way all opposing persons and things. The Keri reads as in Isaiah 45:13, "make straight" (Margin). gates of brass— (Isaiah 45:13- :). HERODOTUS (1.179) says, Babylon had a hundred massive gates, twenty-five on each of the four sides of the city, all, as well as their posts, of brass. bars of iron—with which the gates were fastened. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 45:1

Yahweh shockingly referred to Cyrus as His "anointed" (Heb. mashiah), a title normally reserved for Israel’s prophets, priests, and kings. One exception is Hazael whom Elijah was to anoint as King of Aram (cf. 1 Kings 19:15-16). Hazael was also the Lord’s anointed. It also refers to the Messiah. The Israelites thought of their anointed leaders as those whom God uniquely raised up to accomplish His purposes. By calling Cyrus His anointed, the Lord was teaching them that He was the Lord of all... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 45:1-8

God’s promise to Cyrus 45:1-8The promise to Cyrus was, of course, for the benefit of the Israelites who wondered how God would restore them to the land as He promised. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 45:1-13

The instrument of redemption 45:1-13This section begins with God’s promise to Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1-8; cf. Psalms 2; Psalms 110) and concludes with a vindication of God’s right to use whom He will (Isaiah 45:9-13). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 45:2-3

God would precede and prepare the way for His conqueror. He would find it relatively easy to overcome his enemies, Lydia and Babylon, and to take even their hidden treasures, those kept in secret vaults. One reason God would do this was so Cyrus would learn that Yahweh, the God of Israel, had blessed him. This is not a promise that Cyrus would become a believer in Yahweh but that he would know that Yahweh was behind what had happened to him (cf. the Pharaoh of the Exodus). On the famous Cyrus... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 45:1-25

The Meaning of the Conquests of Cyrus1-13. The conquests of Cyrus are ordained by Jehovah for His purposes. Let not Israel Criticise the manner of its deliverance. 14-17. Great honour awaits Israel. 18-25. All the world shall recognise Jehovah’s righteousness and power.1. His anointed] as being consecrated to carry out the purposes of Jehovah, i.e. to release Israel from Babylon. This is the only place where a non-Israelite king is so entitled. Somewhat similarly Nebuchadnezzar is called... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 45:1

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 (1 Samuel 26:9; 1 Samuel 26:11; 1 Samuel 26:16), of the house of David (2 Samuel 22:51; 2 Samuel 23:1), and of the patriarch Abraham (Psalms 105:15). What is meant, therefore, is... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 45:2

(2) Make the crooked places straight.—Better, make the dwelling-places smooth—i.e., remove all obstacles (comp. 40:4, 42:16). read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Isaiah 45:1-25

The Treasures of Darkness Isaiah 45:3 I. There are Treasures of Darkness. Darkness is approached from two standpoints in God's Book. From one viewpoint it is something to be feared, dreaded, loathed. But darkness is shown to us from another angle of vision, and then it is desirable, inestimable in worth. He who knows what is in darkness assures us that He will give us the treasures of darkness. But what is the literal meaning of these words? In the East of old, instead of depositing their... read more

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:1

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 45:2

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 45:1

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 45:1-8

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 45:1-13

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Isaiah 45:2-3

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 45:1-25

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 45:1

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Isaiah 45:2

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Isaiah 45:1-25

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