Isaiah 41:2
Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.
Original Language Analysis
מִ֤י
H4310
מִ֤י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 17
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
צֶ֖דֶק
the righteous
H6664
צֶ֖דֶק
the righteous
Strong's:
H6664
Word #:
4 of 17
the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
יִקְרָאֵ֣הוּ
called
H7121
יִקְרָאֵ֣הוּ
called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
5 of 17
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
לְרַגְל֑וֹ
him to his foot
H7272
לְרַגְל֑וֹ
him to his foot
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
6 of 17
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
יִתֵּ֤ן
gave
H5414
יִתֵּ֤ן
gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
7 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לְפָנָ֤יו
before
H6440
לְפָנָ֤יו
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
גּוֹיִם֙
the nations
H1471
גּוֹיִם֙
the nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
9 of 17
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
יַ֔רְדְּ
him and made him rule
H7287
יַ֔רְדְּ
him and made him rule
Strong's:
H7287
Word #:
11 of 17
to tread down, i.e., subjugate; specifically, to crumble off
יִתֵּ֤ן
gave
H5414
יִתֵּ֤ן
gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
12 of 17
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
כֶּֽעָפָר֙
them as the dust
H6083
כֶּֽעָפָר֙
them as the dust
Strong's:
H6083
Word #:
13 of 17
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
חַרְבּ֔וֹ
to his sword
H2719
חַרְבּ֔וֹ
to his sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
14 of 17
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
Cross References
Isaiah 45:1Thus 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;2 Samuel 22:43Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.Isaiah 41:25I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.Isaiah 46:11Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.Isaiah 40:24Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.Ezra 1:2Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.Isaiah 45:13I 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.2 Chronicles 36:23Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.
Historical Context
Written 150 years before Cyrus's birth, this prophecy was fulfilled when Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BC and decreed the Jews' return. His rapid military success vindicated God's sovereign control of history.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's use of pagan rulers like Cyrus demonstrate His sovereignty over all nations?
- In what ways does this prophecy strengthen your trust in God's control of seemingly secular events?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse prophetically describes Cyrus of Persia (named in 44:28, 45:1), whom God raises from the east as His instrument. The Hebrew 'tsedeq' (righteousness) indicates God's righteous purpose in raising this pagan king. Cyrus will conquer nations and subdue kings, yet does so as God's unwitting servant, demonstrating that even unbelieving rulers fulfill divine purposes.