[[Isa-45]] Prev: [[Prophecies in Isa-44]] | Next: [[Prophecies in Isa-46]] --- ### Yahweh says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him... I have even called you by your name. I have given you a title, though you have not known me. *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: The text predicts the rise of a specific leader named Cyrus who will conquer nations and be appointed by God for a special task, despite not knowing the God of Israel at the time of his naming. *Historical context*: Historians and theologians identify this with Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire. Traditional biblical dating places this prophecy approximately 150 years before Cyrus was born. He rose to power in the mid-6th century BC and conquered Babylon in 539 BC. His decree to release the Jews, recorded on the Cyrus Cylinder and in the Book of Ezra, aligns with the 'anointed' task described here. *Related to*: ### I will break the doors of bronze in pieces and cut apart the bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places. *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: A prediction that the obstacles (gates and bars) preventing the conqueror's entry will be destroyed, and he will acquire immense hidden wealth. *Historical context*: Historical accounts by Herodotus and the Nabonidus Chronicle suggest that during the fall of Babylon (539 BC), the city's massive brass gates were left open during a festival, allowing Cyrus's troops to enter without a siege. Pliny the Elder also recorded the enormous amounts of gold and silver Cyrus seized from the conquered territories, estimated at hundreds of thousands of pounds. *Related to*: ### He shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward. *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: This prophecy specifies that Cyrus will facilitate the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the release of the Jewish captives from Babylon without demanding a ransom or payment. *Historical context*: This was fulfilled by the Edict of Cyrus in 538 BC. As recorded in [[Ezr-01#v1|Ezra 1:1]]-4 and [[2 Chron-36#v22|2 Chronicles 36:22]]-23, Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Judea to rebuild the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. Unlike typical ancient conquerors who demanded tribute for such favors, Cyrus provided resources and returned the stolen Temple vessels freely. *Related to*: ### Yahweh says: 'The labor of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, and the Sabeans, men of stature, will come over to you... They shall come over in chains. They will bow down to you.' *Type*: fulfillment *Summary*: This segment describes the submission of powerful African and Arabian nations and their acknowledgement of the God of Israel. *Historical context*: Historically, the Persian Empire expanded under Cyrus's successor, Cambyses II, to include Egypt and parts of Ethiopia (Cush) around 525 BC. Theologically, scholars like those in the Reformation and early church traditions see a 'spiritual fulfillment' in the conversion of the Gentiles, specifically the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch in [[Acts-08#v27|Acts 8:27]]-38. *Related to*: [[Isa-45#v14|Isaiah 45:14]] ### I have sworn by myself... that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. *Type*: prophecy *Summary*: A divine declaration that a time will come when all of humanity will recognize and submit to the sovereignty of Yahweh. *Historical context*: The New Testament views this as a prophecy of the universal lordship of Jesus Christ. In [[Phil-02#v10|Philippians 2:10]]-11, the Apostle Paul quotes this text directly to state that 'at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.' It is also cited in [[Rom-14#v11|Romans 14:11]] regarding the final judgment. *Related to*: --- #ai_prophecy