who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easily missed is that God isn't just predicting Cyrus's actions, but He's speaking them into existence, as if they've already happened. He declares what will be done to Jerusalem and the Temple with the same divine authority as He names Cyrus as His shepherd, highlighting that God's word is powerfully creative and brings His plans to pass.
who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Isaiah, in these verses, is speaking God's powerful words, revealing His divine plan for Israel's future. God declares His intention to use Cyrus, a foreign king, as His "shepherd" to guide His people back to their homeland. This divine declaration promises not only the rebuilding of Jerusalem but also the laying of the foundation for the Temple, signifying a restoration of their spiritual and national life.
Imagine a powerful leader, known for his conquests, being called God's 'shepherd.' How can a pagan king be seen as fulfilling God's purposes?
This verse reveals God's incredible foresight and control over human events. He speaks of Cyrus, a Persian king who would rise to power and impact history significantly.
God's Appointed Ruler
Isaiah names Cyrus, a king not of Israel, approximately 150 years before his birth. This isn't a lucky guess; it's divine revelation. God declares, 'He is my shepherd.' This title, 'shepherd,' is a metaphor for a ruler who guides and cares for his people. God uses this term to show that even though Cyrus didn't know Him, he would be guided by God's hand to fulfill His will.
Fulfilling God's Purpose
The verse continues, 'and he shall fulfill all my purpose.' This highlights that even secular leaders, who may not be consciously serving God, can be instruments in His hands. God's plan is so vast that it encompasses and directs the actions of all people, including kings and conquerors, to achieve His ultimate objectives.
After detailing the mission of Cyrus, the verse shifts focus to Jerusalem and the Temple. What does this change in subject reveal about God's ultimate plan?
The prophecy doesn't stop with the actions of kings; it moves to God's unwavering commitment to His people and His dwelling place.
Rebuilding Jerusalem and the Temple
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After speaking of Cyrus, the verse states God's intention: 'saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’' This is not a suggestion or a hope, but a declaration of divine intent. Despite the destruction and exile the people are facing, God promises their return and the rebuilding of their city and Temple.
Divine Certainty
This promise underscores God's faithfulness. He sovereignly orchestrates the rise and fall of empires, but His covenant promises to His people remain secure. The mention of Jerusalem and the Temple signifies not just physical rebuilding, but the restoration of worship and the re-establishment of God's presence among His people. The laying of the foundation is a sign of a future that is certain, built on God's unbreakable word.
Understand the original words
ro'i · Hebrew Noun
A leader, protector, and provider; applied to God, it signifies His care for His people, and when applied to a human ruler (like Cyrus), it indicates a divinely appointed agent for the welfare of God's flock.
chephets · Hebrew Noun
God's sovereign will or master plan for creation and history; it denotes that which He has decided to accomplish.
heykhal · Hebrew Noun
The sacred house of God's dwelling on earth, where sacrifice is offered and God's glory resides among His people.
This prophecy directly names Cyrus, a pagan king, around 150 years before his rise to power and conquest of Babylon. This foreknowledge demonstrates God's ultimate sovereignty, even over foreign rulers, whom He uses to accomplish His purposes, including the restoration of His people and His temple.
c. 701 BC
Isaiah's Prophecies Against Assyria
Isaiah delivers prophecies, including some that reassure Jerusalem of God's protection and promises for the future, even amidst threats from Assyria.
c. 621 BC
Discovery of the Book of the Law
During Josiah's reign, the Book of the Law is discovered, leading to religious reforms and a renewed covenant. This period still anticipates future judgment but offers hope.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar defeats Pharaoh Necho at Carchemish and begins his dominance over the region, leading to the first exile of Jewish nobles and artisans to Babylon.
598 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
After a rebellion, Jerusalem falls again to Nebuchadnezzar. More people, including the prophet Ezekiel, are exiled to Babylon.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its temple, leading to the final, largest deportation of the Jewish people into Babylonian exile.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus, king of the rising Persian Empire, conquers the Medes and begins his expansion, setting the stage for his eventual conquest of Babylon.
c. 540 BC— this verse
Isaiah's Prophecy Naming Cyrus
Written perhaps 150 years before Cyrus's conquest of Babylon, this prophecy explicitly names Cyrus and foretells his role as God's shepherd who will enable the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple.
This passage also directly names Cyrus as God's anointed, reinforcing the idea of a chosen instrument fulfilling God's purpose.
2 Chronicles 36:22-23This passage describes the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, showing Cyrus issuing the decree for the rebuilding of the temple and the return of the exiles, directly illustrating God's plan being enacted through him.
Ezra 1:1-4This provides the historical account of Cyrus's decree, demonstrating how God's word spoken through Isaiah about Cyrus and Jerusalem was indeed brought to pass.
Jeremiah 29:10This prophecy foretells the length of the exile and the subsequent restoration, providing context for why God would name Cyrus as the one to bring it to pass.
barnesIsaiah 44:28: "That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid."
That saith of Cyrus - This is the first time in which Cyrus is expressly named by Isaiah, though he is often referred to. He is mentioned by him only in one other place expressly by name Isaiah 45:1 . He is several times mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament 2 Chronicles 26:22-23 ; Ezra 1:1-2 , Ezra 1:7 ; Ez…
bensonIsaiah 44:28: "That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid."
Isaiah 44:28 . That saith of Cyrus — Whom God here mentions by his proper name, two hundred years before he was born, that this might be an undeniable evidence of the exactness of God’s foreknowledge, and a convincing argument to conclude this dispute between God and idols. He is my shepherd — Him will I set up…
What's easily missed is that God isn't just predicting Cyrus's actions, but He's speaking them into existence, as if they've already happened. He declares what will be done to Jerusalem and the Temple with the same divine authority as He names Cyrus as His shepherd, highlighting that God's word is powerfully creative and brings His plans to pass.
The prophet Isaiah, in these verses, is speaking God's powerful words, revealing His divine plan for Israel's future. God declares His intention to use Cyrus, a foreign king, as His "shepherd" to guide His people back to their homeland. This divine declaration promises not only the rebuilding of Jerusalem but also the laying of the foundation for the Temple, signifying a restoration of their spiritual and national life.
The prophet Isaiah, in these verses, is speaking God's powerful words, revealing His divine plan for Israel's future. God declares His intention to use Cyrus, a foreign king, as His "shepherd" to guide His people back to their homeland. This divine declaration promises not only the rebuilding of Jerusalem but also the laying of the foundation for the Temple, signifying a restoration of their spiritual and national life.
"who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”" — What's easily missed is that God isn't just predicting Cyrus's actions, but He's speaking them into existence, as if they've already happened. He declares what will be done to Jerusalem and the Tem…
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Last reviewed October 2026