
Text -- Isaiah 45:13 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Cyrus.

Wesley: Isa 45:13 - -- Most justly, to punish the wicked Babylonians, to plead the cause of the oppressed ones, to manifest my righteousness, and truth, and goodness.
Most justly, to punish the wicked Babylonians, to plead the cause of the oppressed ones, to manifest my righteousness, and truth, and goodness.
JFB: Isa 45:13 - -- Cyrus, type of Messiah, who redeems the captives of Satan "without money and without price" (Isa 55:1), "freely" (gratuitously) (Isa 52:3; Isa 61:1; Z...
Clarke -> Isa 45:13
Clarke: Isa 45:13 - -- I have raised him up - This evidently refers to Cyrus, and to what he did for the Jews; and informs us by whom he was excited to do it.
I have raised him up - This evidently refers to Cyrus, and to what he did for the Jews; and informs us by whom he was excited to do it.
Calvin -> Isa 45:13
Calvin: Isa 45:13 - -- 13.I have raised him up He now continues the subject on which he had entered in the beginning of the chapter; for, having undertaken to soothe their ...
13.I have raised him up He now continues the subject on which he had entered in the beginning of the chapter; for, having undertaken to soothe their affliction, which was exceedingly sharp and severe, Isaiah holds out the hope of deliverance, and stretches out his hand to them, that they may look for an absolutely certain redemption. Though you think that you are ruined, yet the Lord will protect you against destruction. Why the reproof which we have seen was intermingled with it, may be easily gathered from the event itself; for, if Isaiah had not abruptly made this digression, the Jews, in their vehement impatience, would have been hurried into despair.
In righteousness This means “justly and truly,” and must be understood relatively; for it assigns the reason why God determined to raise up Cyrus, that is, because he is a faithful guardian of his Church, and does not disappoint his worshippers. Some explain it, “in justice,” that is, in order that he may punish the Babylonians; and others, “that he may reign justly;” but the Prophet meant nothing of this sort. But in the Scriptures, “righteousness” often signifies fidelity, (Psa 5:8), because the Lord manifests his “righteousness” by fulfilling his promises and defending his servants. The “righteousness” of God shines brightly in giving a display of exalted and perfect rectitude by saving his people; for, although there is no work of God on which a mark of righteousness is not engraven, yet a much more clear and striking proof is seen in the salvation of the Church. The meaning therefore is, that he “raised up” Cyrus, in order to manifest his “righteousness” in him, whom he has appointed to lead and conduct in bringing back his people.
He shall build my city Jerusalem is meant, which he calls “his city,” because he wished that there the remembrance of his name should be preserved, and because he had consecrated it in a peculiar manner to himself. In like manner God himself had declared,
“Wherever I shall cause my name to be recorded, I will come to thee, and will bless thee.” (Exo 20:24.)
Now, there was no other city which he had appointed for sacrifices and vows, and for calling on his name; and, therefore, also it is called (Psa 46:4) “The city of God, the holy tabernacle of the Most High, for God is in the midst of her;” and in another place it is said, “This is my rest for ever and ever.” (Psa 132:14.) Now, Cyrus did not build this city with his own hand, but by royal edicts forbade any one to hinder the rebuilding of it, and likewise supplied the people with provisions and money. (2Ch 36:23; Ezr 1:2.)
And shall release my captivity, not for a price, that is, “for nothing.” This was uncommon; for, if captives are released by a conqueror, either a price is demanded, or harsh conditions are imposed on them; but Cyrus did nothing of that kind. Hence it follows that this deliverance took place by the will of God, and not by the will of man. The word “captivity” is here used as a collective noun, denoting “captives.”
TSK -> Isa 45:13
TSK: Isa 45:13 - -- raised him : Isa 45:1-6, Isa 41:2, Isa 41:25, Isa 46:11, Isa 48:14, Isa 48:15
in righteousness : Isa 42:6; Psa 65:5
direct : or, make straight, Isa 45...
raised him : Isa 45:1-6, Isa 41:2, Isa 41:25, Isa 46:11, Isa 48:14, Isa 48:15
in righteousness : Isa 42:6; Psa 65:5
direct : or, make straight, Isa 45:1, Isa 45:2
he shall build : Isa 44:28, Isa 52:5; 2Ch 36:22, 2Ch 36:23; Ezr 1:3-11
let go : Isa 49:25, Isa 52:2, Isa 52:3; Rom 3:24-26; 1Pe 1:18, 1Pe 1:19
price : Isa 13:17

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Isa 45:13
Barnes: Isa 45:13 - -- I have raised him up - That is. Cyrus (see the notes at Isa 41:2). In righteousness - In Isa 41:2, he is called ‘ the righteous man....
I have raised him up - That is. Cyrus (see the notes at Isa 41:2).
In righteousness - In Isa 41:2, he is called ‘ the righteous man.’ He had raised him up to accomplish his own righteous plans. It does not necessarily mean that Cyrus was a righteous man (see the notes at Isa 41:2).
And I will direct all his ways - Margin, ‘ Make straight.’ This is the meaning of the Hebrew word (see the notes at Isa 40:4). The sense here is, I will make his paths all smooth and level, that is, whatever obstacles are in his way I will remove, and give him eminent success.
He shall build my city - Jerusalem. See Ezr 1:2, where, in his proclamation, Cyrus says, ‘ Jehovah, God of heaven, hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.’ It is very probable that Cyrus was made acquainted with these predictions of Isaiah. Nothing would be more natural than that the Jews in Babylon, when he should become master of the city, knowing that he was the monarch to whom Isaiah referred, and that he had been raised up for their deliverance, should acquaint him with these remarkable prophecies, and show him that God bad long before designated aim to accomplish this great work (compare the notes at Isa 44:28).
And he shall let go my captives - Hebrew, ‘ My captivity,’ or ‘ my migration;’ that is, those of his people who were in captivity.
Not for price - They shall not be purchased of him as slaves, nor shall they be required to purchase their own freedom. They shall be sent away as freemen, and no price shall be exacted for their ransom (compare Isa 52:3). The Jews in Babylon were regarded as captives in war, and therefore as slaves.
Nor for reward - The Hebrew word used here (
Poole -> Isa 45:13
Poole: Isa 45:13 - -- I have raised him Cyrus, who; was named before, Isa 45:1 .
In righteousness not in a way of absolute sovereignty, as I might have done, but most ju...
I have raised him Cyrus, who; was named before, Isa 45:1 .
In righteousness not in a way of absolute sovereignty, as I might have done, but most justly, to punish the wicked Babylonians, to plead the cause of the innocent oppressed ones, to manifest my own righteousness, and truth, and goodness.
Direct all his ways guide and assist him in all his travels and marches, in all his attempts, and battles, and sieges, crowning him with success in all his undertakings.
Not for price nor reward freely, without requiring any ransom for or from them, as is usual in such cases. Such an exact prediction of these things, which depended wholly upon the mind and will of Cyrus, is mentioned here, as an infallible evidence of the certainty of God’ s foreknowledge, and of his being the only true God, because idols could discover no such things at such a distance of time.
Haydock -> Isa 45:13
Haydock: Isa 45:13 - -- Justice. Cyrus shall punish the Chaldeans and restore the Jews. (Calmet) ---
The prophet returns to him after having mentioned a greater Saviour, ...
Justice. Cyrus shall punish the Chaldeans and restore the Jews. (Calmet) ---
The prophet returns to him after having mentioned a greater Saviour, ver. 8. (Houbigant)
Gill -> Isa 45:13
Gill: Isa 45:13 - -- I have raised him up in righteousness,.... Though this may be said with some respect to Cyrus, yet chiefly to Christ, of whom Cyrus was a type; him th...
I have raised him up in righteousness,.... Though this may be said with some respect to Cyrus, yet chiefly to Christ, of whom Cyrus was a type; him the Lord appointed and determined to be the Saviour and Redeemer of his people; him he sent forth in time for that purpose, in righteousness or faithfulness to concerning him: or, "unto righteousness" s, as the Vulgate Latin version; to bring in an everlasting righteousness for the justification of his people: or, "with righteousness", as the Septuagint version is t:
I have raised him up a King with righteousness; a righteous King, a King that reigns in righteousness, as Christ does, and better agrees with him than Cyrus; see Jer 23:5,
and I will direct all his ways; or "make them plain" u; remove all difficulties and obstructions out of his way; he shall succeed and prosper, as the "pleasure of the Lord did prosper" in the hands of Christ; God being at his right hand as man and Mediator, to direct, counsel, and assist him, and to make him successful:
he shall build my city; not Cyrus, for he did not build the city of Jerusalem, whatever orders he might give for it, Isa 44:28 though his proclamation only mentions the temple, Ezr 1:2, but Christ, the builder of the church, often compared to a city, and called the city of God, of which the saints are fellow citizens; and which is built by Christ, upon himself the Rock, against which the gates of hell cannot prevail, Mat 16:18,
and he shall let go my captives, not for price, nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts; the Lord's people are captives to sin, Satan, and the law; Christ has not only redeemed these captives, but has proclaimed liberty to them, and delivered them from their bondage by his Spirit and grace; and all this freely, not through any merits of theirs, but of his own rich grace and mercy; and though they are redeemed with a price; yet not with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ; and whatever their redemption and freedom cost him, it costs them nothing, it is to them without money and without price, Isa 52:3.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes -> Isa 45:13
NET Notes: Isa 45:13 Heb “I stir him up in righteousness”; NASB “I have aroused him.” See the note at 41:2. Cyrus (cf. 44:28) is in view here.
Geneva Bible -> Isa 45:13
Geneva Bible: Isa 45:13 I have raised ( p ) him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for ( q ) pr...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Isa 45:1-25
TSK Synopsis: Isa 45:1-25 - --1 God calls Cyrus for his church's sake.5 By his omnipotency he challenges obedience.20 He convinces the idols of vanity by his saving power.
MHCC -> Isa 45:11-19
MHCC: Isa 45:11-19 - --Believers may ask in prayer for what they need; if for their good, it will not be withheld. But how common to hear God called to account for his deali...
Matthew Henry -> Isa 45:11-19
Matthew Henry: Isa 45:11-19 - -- The people of God in captivity, who reconciled themselves to the will of God in their affliction and were content to wait his time for their deliver...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Isa 45:13
Keil-Delitzsch: Isa 45:13 - --
He who created all things, and called all things into existence, had also raised up this Cyrus, whose victorious career had increased the anxieties ...
Constable: Isa 40:1--55:13 - --IV. Israel's calling in the world chs. 40--55
This part of Isaiah picks up a theme from chapters 1-39 and develo...

Constable: Isa 40:1--48:22 - --A. God's grace to Israel chs. 40-48
These chapters particularly address the questions of whether God cou...

Constable: Isa 44:23--48:1 - --3. The Lord's redemption of His servant 44:23-47:15
Isaiah began this section of the book dealin...
