Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed:
English Standard Version (ESV)
God calls Cyrus "anointed," a title usually reserved for Israel's kings, not because Cyrus was pious, but because God sovereignly appointed him to a specific purpose. This highlights that God can use even non-believers as instruments to advance His plans, demonstrating His ultimate authority over all nations and rulers.
Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed:
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is speaking directly to Cyrus, a foreign king, identifying him as His "anointed" – a title usually reserved for Israel's kings. This sets the stage for God to declare how He will empower Cyrus to conquer nations and dethrone rulers, opening seemingly impenetrable gates for him. The chapter immediately following will reveal God's ultimate purpose: to use Cyrus to liberate His people, Israel, from Babylonian exile.
Did you know that the Bible calls a non-Israelite king 'anointed'? It's a title usually reserved for Israel's kings and the Messiah. What does this tell us about God's use of people?
Isaiah calls Cyrus, a pagan Persian king, 'the LORD's anointed.' This is significant because 'anointed' (Hebrew: mashiyach) is the same word used for Israel's kings and the coming Messiah.
Beyond Piety
The verse speaks of subduing nations and opening gates. How does this demonstrate God's control, not just over kings, but over the very forces that shape history?
Isaiah 45:1 vividly portrays God's active involvement in human affairs, asserting His supreme authority over the rise and fall of kingdoms.
God's Grasp
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This isn't about Cyrus's might alone, but about the divine power working through him, demonstrating that God is the ultimate sovereign of history.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenant name of God in the Old Testament, representing His self-existence, faithfulness, and eternal nature. It is the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush.
mashiyach · Hebrew Noun
Literally 'messiah' or 'anointed one.' In the Old Testament, it refers to one set apart by God for a specific office or task, often symbolized by the application of oil, such as kings, priests, or prophets.
kabash · Hebrew Verb
The act of bringing something or someone under control, dominance, or defeat. In Scripture, it is often used regarding God's power over enemies or the nations.
Koresh · Hebrew Proper Noun
The name of the Persian king chosen by God to release the Jewish exiles from Babylon. Historically, he is unique as a Gentile explicitly called 'anointed' by God for a specific redemptive mission.
This verse is remarkable because God declares his intention to use Cyrus, a pagan king, to accomplish His purposes. The prophecy was given about 150 years before Cyrus was even born, demonstrating God's foreknowledge and sovereign control over history, even through the actions of non-believers.
c. 740 BC
Isaiah's Prophecy
Isaiah prophesies about future events, including the rise of Cyrus and the eventual release of the Jewish exiles from Babylon, centuries before they occur.
c. 559 BC
Cyrus becomes King of Persia
Cyrus unites the Medes and Persians, beginning his ascent to power and laying the groundwork for his future conquests.
547-546 BC
Cyrus conquers Lydia
Cyrus defeats the wealthy King Croesus of Lydia, expanding his empire westward and demonstrating his military prowess.
539 BC
Cyrus invades Babylonia
Cyrus launches his campaign against the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which had grown decadent and vulnerable.
October 539 BC— this verse
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus's forces capture the city of Babylon, marking the end of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the beginning of the Persian Empire. This event directly fulfills Isaiah's prophecy.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, fulfilling another key aspect of Isaiah's prophecy.
This passage describes God's providential hand in history, where an angelic prince acknowledges that God has set kings in place and is sovereign over kingdoms, echoing Isaiah's portrayal of God's direct involvement with Cyrus.
2 Chronicles 36:22-23This passage directly quotes Cyrus's decree to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, showing the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy that God would use Cyrus for the liberation of His people.
Jeremiah 51:11This verse speaks of God stirring up the kings of the Medes against Babylon, aligning with Isaiah's depiction of God orchestrating the downfall of nations through chosen leaders like Cyrus.
Isaiah 41:2This earlier passage in Isaiah also speaks of God raising up a conqueror from the East and granting him victory over nations, setting the stage for the specific identification of Cyrus in chapter 45.
Ezra 1:1-4This passage details Cyrus's proclamation, confirming that he recognized his authority and mandate to restore the Jewish exiles came from 'the LORD, the God of heaven,' directly fulfilling Isaiah's assertion that Cyrus was God's anointed instrument.
barnesIsaiah 45:1: "Thus saith the LORD 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 before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;"
Thus saith the Lord to his anointed - This is a direct apostrophe to Cyrus, though it was uttered not less than one hundred and fifty years before Babylon was taken by him. The word 'anointed' is that which is usually rendered "Messiah" (משׁיח mâshı̂yach), and h…
bensonIsaiah 45:1: "Thus saith the LORD 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 before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;"
Isaiah 45:1 . Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, &c. — Cyrus is called the Lord’s anointed, a title usually given to the kings of the Jews, who were God’s immediate deputies, not because material oil had been poured upon him when he was made king, as was the cas…
God calls Cyrus "anointed," a title usually reserved for Israel's kings, not because Cyrus was pious, but because God sovereignly appointed him to a specific purpose. This highlights that God can use even non-believers as instruments to advance His plans, demonstrating His ultimate authority over all nations and rulers.
God is speaking directly to Cyrus, a foreign king, identifying him as His "anointed" – a title usually reserved for Israel's kings. This sets the stage for God to declare how He will empower Cyrus to conquer nations and dethrone rulers, opening seemingly impenetrable gates for him. The chapter immediately following will reveal God's ultimate purpose: to use Cyrus to liberate His people, Israel, from Babylonian exile.
God is speaking directly to Cyrus, a foreign king, identifying him as His "anointed" – a title usually reserved for Israel's kings. This sets the stage for God to declare how He will empower Cyrus to conquer nations and dethrone rulers, opening seemingly impenetrable gates for him. The chapter immediately following will reveal God's ultimate purpose: to use Cyrus to liberate His people, Israel, from Babylonian exile.
"Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed:" — God calls Cyrus "anointed," a title usually reserved for Israel's kings, not because Cyrus was pious, but because God sovereignly appointed him to a specific purpose. This highlights that God can use…
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Last reviewed October 2026