I have stirred him up in righteousness, and I will make all his ways level; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward,” says the LORD of hosts.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes that Cyrus will free the exiles "not for price or reward." This highlights that God's redemptive plan is not transactional; even when humans are used as instruments, their motives are secondary to God's sovereign purpose and gracious provision. This points to a rescue driven by divine will rather than human gain.
I have stirred him up in righteousness, and I will make all his ways level; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward,” says the LORD of hosts.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God declares that He has raised up Cyrus, a foreign king, for His own righteous purposes, even though Cyrus doesn't know Him. This declaration immediately precedes God's explanation of how He will use Cyrus to bring His exiled people back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the Temple, emphasizing that this deliverance will be a sovereign act of God, not a transaction for gain. The verses following detail the astonishment and conversion of other nations as they witness God's power displayed through Cyrus's actions and Israel's restoration.
Why does God explicitly state that Cyrus is acting 'not for price or reward'? This verse reveals a profound truth about divine action and human motivation.
A Divine Mandate, Freely Given
The verse emphasizes that God is the one who "stirred up" Cyrus. This isn't about Cyrus being a particularly devout or moral person, but about God using him for His own purposes.
What does it mean for God to 'make all his ways level'? This imagery speaks to divine enablement and the removal of obstacles.
Ask a follow-up
Divine Smoothness for a Divine Purpose
The promise that God will "make all his ways level" for Cyrus is powerful. It means that God will ensure success and remove hindrances from the path of the person He has appointed.
Understand the original words
tsedeq · Hebrew Noun
A term denoting conformity to God's standard, moral integrity, and justice. In the context of salvation, it refers to God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.
tsaba · Hebrew Noun
A title reflecting God's sovereignty over the entire universe, including the angelic realm (host) and all earthly powers. It signifies His supreme authority to execute His will in history.
This verse directly references Cyrus the Great and his pivotal role in ending the Babylonian exile. Understanding that Isaiah prophesied this event hundreds of years in advance, and named Cyrus, highlights the unique power and foreknowledge of God.
c. 630 BC
Cyrus the Great Born
Cyrus II of Persia, later known as Cyrus the Great, was born. He would eventually conquer the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
550 BC
Cyrus Overthrows the Medes
Cyrus unified Persia and overthrew the Median Empire, establishing the Achaemenid Empire and becoming its first king.
539 BC— this verse
Cyrus Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquered the Neo-Babylonian Empire, a pivotal event that directly led to the release of the Jewish exiles.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus Issued
Following his conquest of Babylon, Cyrus issued an edict allowing the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
537 BC
First Return of Exiles
A significant number of Jewish exiles, led by Zerubbabel, returned to Jerusalem to begin rebuilding the Temple.
This passage directly describes Cyrus's decree to rebuild Jerusalem and allow the exiles to return, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy about Cyrus's actions without price or reward.
Ezra 1:1-4This passage details the beginning of Cyrus's decree, showing how he was 'stirred up' by the Lord to release the exiles and permit the rebuilding of the temple, aligning with the verse's proclamation.
Isaiah 44:28This verse immediately precedes the passage in question and states that God '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.' This shows the divine orchestration behind Cyrus's actions.
Philippians 2:12-13This New Testament passage speaks about working out salvation with fear and trembling because it is God who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure, echoing the sentiment that human actions, like Cyrus's decree, are ultimately empowered and directed by God.
Matthew 6:33Jesus tells us to 'seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,' which parallels God's action of 'stirring up' Cyrus in righteousness to achieve His purposes, showing God's priority in establishing His kingdom and justice.
barnesIsaiah 45:13: "I have raised 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 price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts."
I have raised him up - That is. Cyrus (see the notes at Isaiah 41:2 ). In righteousness - In Isaiah 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 Isaiah 41:2). And I will d…
cambridgeIsaiah 45:13: "I have raised 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 price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts."
13 . I (again emphatic) have raised him (Cyrus) up in righteousness ] i.e. in accordance with a consistent, straightforward and right purpose (cf. ch. Isaiah 42:6 ). Cf. also chs. Isaiah 41:2 ; Isaiah 41:25 , etc. he (and no other) shall build my city &c. ] See ch. Isaiah 44:27 f. not for price nor rewa…
The verse emphasizes that Cyrus will free the exiles "not for price or reward." This highlights that God's redemptive plan is not transactional; even when humans are used as instruments, their motives are secondary to God's sovereign purpose and gracious provision. This points to a rescue driven by divine will rather than human gain.
God declares that He has raised up Cyrus, a foreign king, for His own righteous purposes, even though Cyrus doesn't know Him. This declaration immediately precedes God's explanation of how He will use Cyrus to bring His exiled people back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the Temple, emphasizing that this deliverance will be a sovereign act of God, not a transaction for gain. The verses following detail the astonishment and conversion of other nations as they witness God's power displayed through Cyrus's actions and Israel's restoration.
God declares that He has raised up Cyrus, a foreign king, for His own righteous purposes, even though Cyrus doesn't know Him. This declaration immediately precedes God's explanation of how He will use Cyrus to bring His exiled people back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the Temple, emphasizing that this deliverance will be a sovereign act of God, not a transaction for gain. The verses following detail the astonishment and conversion of other nations as they witness God's power displayed through Cyrus's actions and Israel's restoration.
"I have stirred him up in righteousness, and I will make all his ways level; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward,” says the LORD of hosts." — The verse emphasizes that Cyrus will free the exiles "not for price or reward." This highlights that God's redemptive plan is not transactional; even when humans are used as instruments, their motive…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026