Isaiah 45:13
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)
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The verse highlights that Cyrus's actions—building the city and freeing captives—would be entirely without payment or personal gain. This emphasizes that his intervention wasn't driven by any bribe or reward, but by God's sovereign direction, showcasing a motivation far beyond human self-interest. This points to a divine purpose at work, using a secular ruler to accomplish God's redemptive plan for His people.
This passage is part of a longer oracle where God reveals His plan to deliver His people from Babylonian exile. God directly addresses Cyrus, the Persian king who will conquer Babylon, calling him His "anointed" and asserting that He has orchestrated Cyrus's rise to power for His own purposes. This verse lays out the specific tasks Cyrus will accomplish: rebuilding Jerusalem and freeing the Jewish exiles.
Why would God use a pagan king like Cyrus to accomplish His purposes?
The verse states, 'I have stirred him up in righteousness...' (v. 13). This introduces Cyrus, a Persian king, whom God identifies as His instrument. What’s striking is that Cyrus wasn't a worshipper of the Lord. He was a pagan king, an 'anointed' one in the sense that God appointed him for a specific task, not because he was righteous in God's eyes.
This challenges our human tendency to only expect God to work through those who are outwardly godly or actively serving Him. But Scripture shows God’s sovereignty – He can use anyone, even those who don’t know Him, to fulfill His perfect plans. This isn't about endorsing Cyrus's life choices, but about acknowledging God’s ultimate control over history and His ability to work through diverse means for His glory and the salvation of His people.
The Jews were captives, facing a long, difficult road home. What made their return different?
The verse continues, 'he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward' (v. 13). This is a powerful declaration about the nature of God's deliverance. Normally, freeing captives, especially after conquest, would involve ransoms, negotiations, or political gain.
But here, God declares that Cyrus will release the exiles freely. This isn't about Cyrus acting out of pure altruism; it's about God orchestrating a salvation that is ultimately a gift to His people. It foreshadows the ultimate redemption God provides through Jesus Christ. While Christ's sacrifice was incredibly costly for Him, for us, His followers, freedom from sin and captivity is 'not for price or reward.' It’s a gift of grace, freely given to those who believe.
This highlights a core theological truth: God’s redemptive work is fundamentally undeserved. We contribute nothing to earn our salvation; it is entirely His initiative and His provision.
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 speaks directly to the historical context of the Jewish exile in Babylon and their subsequent return, orchestrated by the Persian king Cyrus the Great. Isaiah prophesied this event centuries in advance, naming Cyrus and detailing his role in restoring Jerusalem and its people, highlighting God's sovereign hand over world empires for His redemptive purposes.
c. 550 BC
Rise of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus, a Persian prince, overthrows the Median empire and establishes the Achaemenid Empire, setting the stage for his conquest of Babylon.
539 BC— this verse
Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This pivotal event opens the door for the decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish people exiled in Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple. This directly fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah.
537 BC
First Return of Exiles
The first wave of Jewish exiles, led by Sheshbazzar, returns to Jerusalem and begins the work of rebuilding the Temple.
This passage immediately precedes the verse in question and also names Cyrus, identifying him as God's shepherd who will accomplish God's purposes, including rebuilding Jerusalem and restoring the temple.
Ezra 1:1-4This passage in Ezra directly recounts Cyrus's decree to allow the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple, fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah 45:13. It shows God working through a foreign ruler for His people's restoration.
Romans 3:23-24This New Testament passage speaks of justification 'freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.' It echoes the 'not for price or reward' aspect of Isaiah 45:13, highlighting God's unearned, gracious deliverance.
Matthew 16:18Jesus declares, 'I will build my church.' This directly parallels the 'he shall build my city' part of Isaiah 45:13, showing a spiritual fulfillment of God's building work through His chosen Anointed, Jesus.
Isaiah 52:3This verse states, 'For thus says the LORD, “You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.”' It directly parallels the idea in Isaiah 45:13 that the captives are set free 'not for price or reward,' emphasizing the gratuitous nature of God's redemption.
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 highlights that Cyrus's actions—building the city and freeing captives—would be entirely without payment or personal gain. This emphasizes that his intervention wasn't driven by any bribe or reward, but by God's sovereign direction, showcasing a motivation far beyond human self-interest. This points to a divine purpose at work, using a secular ruler to accomplish God's redemptive plan for His people.
This passage is part of a longer oracle where God reveals His plan to deliver His people from Babylonian exile. God directly addresses Cyrus, the Persian king who will conquer Babylon, calling him His "anointed" and asserting that He has orchestrated Cyrus's rise to power for His own purposes. This verse lays out the specific tasks Cyrus will accomplish: rebuilding Jerusalem and freeing the Jewish exiles.
This passage is part of a longer oracle where God reveals His plan to deliver His people from Babylonian exile. God directly addresses Cyrus, the Persian king who will conquer Babylon, calling him His "anointed" and asserting that He has orchestrated Cyrus's rise to power for His own purposes. This verse lays out the specific tasks Cyrus will accomplish: rebuilding Jerusalem and freeing the Jewish exiles.
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c. 520-516 BC
Rebuilding of the Temple
Despite initial setbacks and opposition, the Second Temple in Jerusalem is eventually completed under the leadership of Zerubbabel and the prophet Haggai.
"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 highlights that Cyrus's actions—building the city and freeing captives—would be entirely without payment or personal gain. This emphasizes that his intervention wasn't driven by any bribe o…
