For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights that God's sovereign plans are enacted not for the glory of His instruments, but for the sake of His chosen people, Jacob and Israel. It emphasizes that God knows and calls individuals by name even before they know or acknowledge Him, revealing His intimate foreknowledge and purposeful involvement in history.
For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me.
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is speaking directly to Cyrus, the Persian king, revealing that He has chosen and empowered him for a specific mission. This divine selection and naming of Cyrus is not for Cyrus's own merit, but primarily for the sake of God's people, Jacob and Israel, whom He has chosen. Cyrus, though instrumental in God's plan, is unaware of the true God who is orchestrating these events.
Why would God choose a foreign king, seemingly unknown to Him, to carry out His plans for His own people?
In Isaiah 45:4, God reveals that the reason He calls and honors Cyrus by name is not for Cyrus's own glory, but 'for the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen.' This highlights a crucial biblical principle: God's actions, even those involving world leaders, are deeply rooted in His covenant relationship with His people.
A Covenantal Purpose
How can someone be 'called by name' and 'surnamed' by God, yet not know Him?
The phrase 'though you do not know me' in Isaiah 45:4 points to a profound truth about God's foreknowledge and sovereign action.
Divine Initiative and Human Response
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Understand the original words
bachiyr · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
One chosen or selected by God for a specific purpose, mission, or relationship. It implies a sovereign act of divine election rather than human merit.
ebed · Hebrew Noun
A term used for individuals or nations who fulfill God's purposes, often used for leaders like David or the nation of Israel. It denotes one who acts in accordance with or is subject to God's authority.
Isaiah 45:4 is a prophecy from God directly addressing Cyrus, the Persian king. It reveals that God sovereignly chose and named Cyrus long before his birth, not for Cyrus's own sake, but for the sake of His chosen people, Israel, who were in Babylonian exile. This demonstrates that even pagan rulers are instruments in God's hands for His redemptive purposes.
c. 630 BC
Birth of Cyrus
Cyrus II of Persia, who would later conquer Babylon, is born.
c. 550 BC
Cyrus's Rise to Power
Cyrus begins his conquests, uniting the Medes and Persians and expanding his empire.
539 BC— this verse
Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, a pivotal event that directly leads to the release of the Jewish exiles. This is the historical context for Isaiah's prophecy.
538 BC
Decree of Restoration
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple.
c. 536 BC
Return of Exiles
The first wave of Jewish exiles returns to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel, beginning the rebuilding process.
This passage shows God's initial promise to Abraham to make him a great nation and bless all nations through him, echoing Isaiah's theme that God's actions through individuals like Cyrus are ultimately for the sake of His chosen people and His wider plan.
Exodus 33:12-16Moses pleads with God not to forsake His people, and God responds by saying He will go with them and make His choice known. This mirrors Isaiah 45:4 where God's action in naming Cyrus is explicitly 'for the sake of Jacob my servant, and Israel my chosen.'
2 Chronicles 36:22-23This passage directly recounts Cyrus fulfilling the prophecy by decreeing the return of the Israelites and the rebuilding of the Temple, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's word through an unlikely, unknowing agent.
Matthew 1:1-17The genealogy of Jesus, highlighting God's purposeful working through generations, including those who were not Israelites, parallels Isaiah's revelation that God uses people like Cyrus, who did not know Him, for His redemptive purposes.
Romans 9:14-18Paul discusses God's sovereign choice in electing individuals, like Jacob over Esau, and His power to show mercy. This connects to Isaiah 45:4 where God's choice of Cyrus, despite his ignorance of God, is a demonstration of divine sovereignty and purpose for Israel's sake.
bensonIsaiah 45:4: "For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me."
Isaiah 45:4-6 . For Jacob my servant’s sake, &c. — The prophet here gives us the reasons why God showed such favour to a prince, who had been addicted to the superstition of his country, and ignorant of the true God, that he prospered all his undertakings, and gave success to all his endeavours. It was, 1st, For Israel’s sake: For Israel, m…
cambridgeIsaiah 45:4: "For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me."
4 . The remainder of the section announces Jehovah’s purpose in raising up Cyrus, which is twofold: (1) the liberation and exaltation of His Servant Israel ( Isaiah 45:4 ), and (2) that His Godhead may be acknowledged throughout the world ( Isaiah 45:6 ). These two motives are inseparable, since it is only through Israel that the character…
This verse highlights that God's sovereign plans are enacted not for the glory of His instruments, but for the sake of His chosen people, Jacob and Israel. It emphasizes that God knows and calls individuals by name even before they know or acknowledge Him, revealing His intimate foreknowledge and purposeful involvement in history.
God is speaking directly to Cyrus, the Persian king, revealing that He has chosen and empowered him for a specific mission. This divine selection and naming of Cyrus is not for Cyrus's own merit, but primarily for the sake of God's people, Jacob and Israel, whom He has chosen. Cyrus, though instrumental in God's plan, is unaware of the true God who is orchestrating these events.
God is speaking directly to Cyrus, the Persian king, revealing that He has chosen and empowered him for a specific mission. This divine selection and naming of Cyrus is not for Cyrus's own merit, but primarily for the sake of God's people, Jacob and Israel, whom He has chosen. Cyrus, though instrumental in God's plan, is unaware of the true God who is orchestrating these events.
"For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me." — This verse highlights that God's sovereign plans are enacted not for the glory of His instruments, but for the sake of His chosen people, Jacob and Israel. It emphasizes that God knows and calls indi…
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Last reviewed October 2026