Isaiah 45

King James Version

Full text for Isaiah Chapter 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;

2I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

3And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call [thee] by thy name, [am] the God of Israel.

4For 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.

5¶ I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else, [there is] no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

6That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that [there is] none beside me. I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else.

7I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].

8Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.

9Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! [Let] the potsherd [strive] with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

10Woe unto him that saith unto [his] father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?

11¶ Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

12I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, [even] my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.

13I 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.

14Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, [saying], Surely God [is] in thee; and [there is] none else, [there is] no God.

15Verily thou [art] a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.

16They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together [that are] makers of idols.

17[But] Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

18For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I [am] the LORD; and [there is] none else.

19I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

20¶ Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye [that are] escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god [that] cannot save.

21Tell ye, and bring [them] near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? [who] hath told it from that time? [have] not I the LORD? and [there is] no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; [there is] none beside me.

22Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else.

23I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth [in] righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

24Surely, shall [one] say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: [even] to him shall [men] come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.

25In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Isaiah 45 declares the LORD's absolute sovereignty, specifically in raising up Cyrus, a pagan king, to fulfill His purposes for Israel. God proclaims Himself as the sole Creator and only God, asserting His power over all things, including light and darkness, peace and calamity. The chapter contrasts the futility of idol worship with the everlasting salvation offered to Israel and a universal call for all to look to the LORD and be saved.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with the LORD addressing Cyrus, His anointed, promising to go before him, subdue nations, and open gates, so that Cyrus may know the LORD is the God of Israel. God emphasizes His unique identity, stating there is no God beside Him, and that He forms light and creates darkness, makes peace and creates evil, demonstrating His complete control. A woe is pronounced upon those who question their Maker, likening them to clay striving with its fashioner. The LORD affirms His plan for Cyrus to rebuild His city and release His captives without reward, and foretells that nations will eventually acknowledge Him. Ultimately, Israel is promised everlasting salvation, while idolaters will be shamed, and a universal invitation is extended for all the ends of the earth to look to the LORD and be saved, for every knee shall bow to Him.

Long Summary

Isaiah 45 begins with the LORD's declaration to Cyrus, whom He calls His anointed, promising to empower him to conquer nations, open fortified gates, and reveal hidden treasures. This divine intervention is intended to demonstrate to Cyrus that the LORD, who calls him by name, is the God of Israel, acting for the sake of His servant Jacob and His elect. The LORD repeatedly asserts His singular identity, proclaiming, "I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me," and stating that He girded Cyrus even though Cyrus did not know Him. He further declares His role as the sole Creator, forming light and darkness, and making peace and creating evil, affirming His comprehensive control over all existence. The chapter then issues a strong rebuke to those who contend with their Maker, comparing them to clay questioning the potter. The LORD, the Holy One of Israel, reaffirms His creative power over the earth and man, and reiterates His purpose for Cyrus: to rebuild His city and release His captives without price or reward. Prophecies of future submission are given, where nations like Egypt and Ethiopia will come to Israel, acknowledging that God is truly within them and there is no other God. The LORD is described as a God who hides Himself, yet His ultimate plan is clear. Idolaters are promised shame and confusion, while Israel is assured of an everlasting salvation from the LORD, never to be confounded. The chapter concludes with a powerful call to all nations to assemble and recognize the futility of idols that cannot save. The LORD, a just God and a Saviour, invites all the ends of the earth to look to Him and be saved, swearing by Himself that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall swear to Him, and that in Him alone shall the seed of Israel be justified and glory.

Core Concepts

  • Divine SovereigntyThe LORD's absolute and unquestionable control over all nations, events, and even the actions of pagan kings like Cyrus, whom He raises up and directs for His own purposes. This sovereignty extends to forming light and darkness, and making peace and creating evil.
  • Cyrus's AnointingCyrus, a non-Israelite king, is explicitly called the LORD's 'anointed' and is divinely empowered to conquer nations and release Israel from captivity. This highlights God's ability to use any instrument to fulfill His will, even those who do not know Him.
  • Exclusive MonotheismThe chapter repeatedly emphasizes that the LORD is the only God, declaring, 'there is none else, there is no God beside me.' This serves as a foundational theological statement, contrasting sharply with the polytheistic beliefs of surrounding nations.
  • Creator GodThe LORD asserts His identity as the sole Creator of the heavens, earth, and man, and the one who forms light and creates darkness. This underscores His ultimate authority and power over all existence.
  • Futility of IdolatryThe chapter condemns idol worship, stating that those who set up graven images and pray to gods that cannot save have no knowledge. Idolaters are promised shame and confusion, contrasting with the salvation offered by the true God.
  • Israel's Everlasting SalvationDespite their captivity, Israel is promised an everlasting salvation in the LORD, assuring them they will never be ashamed or confounded. This promise is a testament to God's covenant faithfulness to His chosen people.
  • Universal Call to SalvationThe LORD extends an invitation to 'all the ends of the earth' to look to Him and be saved, declaring that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall swear to Him. This broadens the scope of God's redemptive plan beyond Israel to all humanity.