Isaiah 45:1

Authorized King James Version

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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;

Original Language Analysis

כֹּה H3541
כֹּה
Strong's: H3541
Word #: 1 of 20
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אָמַ֣ר Thus saith H559
אָמַ֣ר Thus saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 2 of 20
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָה֮ the LORD H3068
יְהוָה֮ the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לִמְשִׁיחוֹ֮ to his anointed H4899
לִמְשִׁיחוֹ֮ to his anointed
Strong's: H4899
Word #: 4 of 20
anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the messiah
לְכ֣וֹרֶשׁ to Cyrus H3566
לְכ֣וֹרֶשׁ to Cyrus
Strong's: H3566
Word #: 5 of 20
koresh (or cyrus), the persian king
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 6 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֶחֱזַ֣קְתִּי I have holden H2388
הֶחֱזַ֣קְתִּי I have holden
Strong's: H2388
Word #: 7 of 20
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
בִֽימִינ֗וֹ whose right hand H3225
בִֽימִינ֗וֹ whose right hand
Strong's: H3225
Word #: 8 of 20
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
לְרַד to subdue H7286
לְרַד to subdue
Strong's: H7286
Word #: 9 of 20
to tread in pieces, i.e., (figuratively) to conquer, or (specifically) to overlay
לְפָנָיו֙ before H6440
לְפָנָיו֙ before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 10 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
גּוֹיִ֔ם nations H1471
גּוֹיִ֔ם nations
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 11 of 20
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וּמָתְנֵ֥י the loins H4975
וּמָתְנֵ֥י the loins
Strong's: H4975
Word #: 12 of 20
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
מְלָכִ֖ים of kings H4428
מְלָכִ֖ים of kings
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 13 of 20
a king
לִפְתֹּ֤חַ him and I will loose H6605
לִפְתֹּ֤חַ him and I will loose
Strong's: H6605
Word #: 14 of 20
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
לִפְתֹּ֤חַ him and I will loose H6605
לִפְתֹּ֤חַ him and I will loose
Strong's: H6605
Word #: 15 of 20
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
לְפָנָיו֙ before H6440
לְפָנָיו֙ before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 16 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
דְּלָתַ֔יִם him the two leaved gates H1817
דְּלָתַ֔יִם him the two leaved gates
Strong's: H1817
Word #: 17 of 20
something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door
וּשְׁעָרִ֖ים and the gates H8179
וּשְׁעָרִ֖ים and the gates
Strong's: H8179
Word #: 18 of 20
an opening, i.e., door or gate
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 19 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִסָּגֵֽרוּ׃ shall not be shut H5462
יִסָּגֵֽרוּ׃ shall not be shut
Strong's: H5462
Word #: 20 of 20
to shut up; figuratively, to surrender

Cross References

Isaiah 42:6I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;Isaiah 44:28That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.Psalms 73:23Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.Isaiah 41:13For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.Isaiah 45:5I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:Jeremiah 51:11Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.Jeremiah 50:35A sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the LORD, and upon the inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her princes, and upon her wise men.Ezra 1:1Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,Isaiah 13:3I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.Job 12:21He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.

Analysis & Commentary

God calls Cyrus 'his anointed' (mashiach - the same word for Messiah). This is extraordinary: a pagan Persian king receives the title usually reserved for Israel's kings and priests. God holds his 'right hand' (position of power and favor) to subdue nations and loose kings' armor. The Hebrew 'pathach' (open) promises that gates and doors will not be shut before him.

Historical Context

Cyrus conquered Babylon in 539 BC by diverting the Euphrates River and entering through unguarded river gates - doors were literally opened. Ancient historians Herodotus and Xenophon confirm this remarkable fulfillment.

Questions for Reflection

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