Isaiah 45:12
I 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.
Original Language Analysis
עָשִׂ֣יתִי
I have made
H6213
עָשִׂ֣יתִי
I have made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
2 of 13
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וְאָדָ֖ם
man
H120
וְאָדָ֖ם
man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
4 of 13
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
עָלֶ֣יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֣יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 13
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בָרָ֑אתִי
and created
H1254
בָרָ֑אתִי
and created
Strong's:
H1254
Word #:
6 of 13
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
יָדַי֙
upon it I even my hands
H3027
יָדַי֙
upon it I even my hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
8 of 13
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
נָט֣וּ
have stretched out
H5186
נָט֣וּ
have stretched out
Strong's:
H5186
Word #:
9 of 13
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
שָׁמַ֔יִם
the heavens
H8064
שָׁמַ֔יִם
the heavens
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
10 of 13
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Isaiah 44:24Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;Isaiah 42:5Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:Jeremiah 27:5I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.Nehemiah 9:6Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.Genesis 2:1Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.Isaiah 45:18For 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.Jeremiah 32:17Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:Hebrews 11:3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.Isaiah 40:28Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.Zechariah 12:1The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
Historical Context
This reaffirms God's qualifications to use Cyrus as He pleases. The One who commands celestial hosts can certainly direct earthly kings.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's role as Creator establish His right to direct human affairs?
- What does it mean that God commands the heavenly host?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God's creative credentials are restated: 'I 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.' The Hebrew 'tsavah' (commanded) shows the heavenly host (stars, angels) obey His orders. Creator has absolute authority over creation.