Isaías 45
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Isaías 45:1-7
45:1 "anointed" This is a title in the OT used for several kinds of people. for King Saul, 1 Sam. 12:3; 24:6 for the people of God, Hab. 3:13 for the Patriarchs, Ps. 105:15 for the priests, Lev. 4:3,5,16 for "the Coming One," Dan. 9:25; Ps. 2:2 It is used as a Messianic title developed during the inter-biblical period. The term "Messiah" comes from the Hebrew term "Anointed One." Cyrus being called by this term shows that election in the OT was primarily for service, not salvation. SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH SPECIAL TOPIC: ANOINTING IN THE BIBLE ▣ "by the right hand" YHWH is actively guiding Cyrus II. See SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND ▣ "to loose the loins of kings" This imagery ("loose," BDB 834, KB 986, Piel IMPERFECT) refers to loosening the sash, which either implies a man's garments were free-flowing which made it difficult to move (JPSOA footnote, "I made them helpless") the sash may have held weapons and they, therefore, dropped to the ground (cf. Isa. 45:5; NET Bible, "disarm Kings") 45:2 "rough places smooth" "crooked places straight" NRSV, TEV "level the mountains" "open gateways" "level the hills that loom up" REB, Peshitta "level the swelling hill" The NRSV is literal ("make straight," BDB 448, KB 449, Qere, Piel IMPERFECT). It is also found in the DSS and LXX. "Mountain" may be imagery of problems or fears (JPSOA, cf. Isa. 40:4; 41:15; 42:15; 49:11). ▣ "shatter the doors of bronze, and cut through their iron bars" These are all imagery that YHWH will cause Cyrus II to succeed in his conquest over the walled cities of Mesopotamia and Palestine. It is interesting that the historian, Herodotus, 1:179, mentions that the city of Babylon had over 100 brass gates. 45:3 "treasures of darkness" This is the hidden wealth of the empires of Mesopotamia and the Near East. 45:4 "For the sake of Jacob My servant, And Israel My chosen one" Here we have the first of two reasons why YHWH used Cyrus: the restoration of His chosen people to Palestine He wanted the people of Israel to be a light to the world, Isa. 45:6. Israel was not a light so God used Cyrus II (cf. Ezek. 36:22-36). SPECIAL TOPIC: MY SERVANT SPECIAL TOPIC: HE CHOSE US SPECIAL TOPIC: ELECTION ▣ "Though you have not known Me" YHWH used Cyrus even though he did not know Him. There is a play on the word "know" in Isa. 45:4,5,6. In Hebrew the term "know" speaks of intimate personal relationship (cf. Gen. 4:1; Jer. 1:5), not only cognitive knowledge. There is no merit on Cyrus' part that God should choose him, but God used him for divine purposes. SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW (using mostly Deuteronomy as a paradigm) SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN, D. 45:5 "I am the Lord, and there is no other" This is an affirmation of monotheism (cf. Isa. 44:24; 45:6-7,14,18,21,22). SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM ▣ "Besides Me there is no God" This is another way of referring to monotheism (cf. Isa. 44:6,8; 43:11). See Special Topic above. ▣ "I will gird you" This means "arm you." The weapons were worn on the girdle (cf. Isa. 45:1). This is the opposite of Isa. 45:1d. 45:6 "That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me" Here again is the astonishing prophecy that YHWH chose Cyrus II for the same purpose that He chose Israel, which was to reveal Himself to all the world so that all the world might come to know Him (cf. Isa. 2:2-4; 12:4-5; 25:6-9; 42:6-12; 45:22-23; 49:5-6; 51:4-5; 60:1-3; 66:23). 45:7 This verse has caused much consternation among commentators because it seems to make God the creator of evil. Basically, what is seen here is the denial of a dualism in the universe. This may reflect the Persian influence of Zoroastrianism, but we are uncertain of Cyrus' relationship to this developed dualism. This verse is basically saying that there is only one causality in the universe (see full note at Isa. 14:24-27). God is in control of all things. He uses evil for His purposes! This is another way of affirming monotheism. Verse 7 is a series of Qal PARTICIPLES relating to God's creating activities put in contrasting pairs. forming ‒ BDB 427, KB 428 creating ‒ BDB 135, KB 153 (see John Walton, ANE Thought and the OT, p. 183) causing ‒ BDB 793, KB 889 creating ‒ BDB 135, KB 153 doing ‒ BDB 793, KB 889 Be careful of taking one verse out of a poetic context and using it as the basis of a doctrinal statement. Genre and context are crucial in proper interpretation! SPECIAL TOPIC: ONE CAUSALITY
Isaías 45:8
45:8 The prophet is using the crisis of his own day to foreshadow the future kingdom of God (see SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY [OT]). In context, this verse is influenced by Isa. 45:6, which means that this is the idealistic future when all believing humans will know and worship God, which was the purpose of the original creation (cf. Gen. 1:26-27; 3:8). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE KINGDOM OF GOD SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN ▣ Verse 8 is a series of IMPERATIVES (i.e. prayers) directed toward God's created order. drip down ‒ BDB 950, KB 1271, Hiphil IMPERATIVE pour ‒ BDB 633, KB 683, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense open ‒ BDB 834, KB 986, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense bear fruit ‒ BDB 826, KB 963, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense spring up ‒ BDB 855, KB 1033, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense YHWH ends the paragraph/verse with His summary statement of His creating power (BDB 135, KB 153, Qal PERFECT)! This emphasis on God as creator introduces the rest of the chapter (esp. Isa. 45:18). As He created the earth, so too, Israel. Creation has a relational purpose (i.e. Gen. 1:26-27; 3:8). Notice the goal is righteousness and salvation!
Isaías 45:9-10
45:9 "Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker ‒" We have seen several allusions to the court scene literary model in Isaiah. Now "woe" identifies another prophetic literary model, "the funeral dirge." It was a "grave" warning to those (Jews or Gentiles) who question YHWH. In context, this strophe would refer to the shock felt by Judeans at the inclusion of Gentiles! This shows the presence of some Judeans who reacted negatively to God's way of handling restoration to Palestine (cf. Isa. 10:15; 29:16; 45:11; also note Jonah). They were upset that God would use an unbelieving ruler such as Cyrus II (cf. Isa. 45:13). This is very similar to the prophet Habakkuk's incredulous thoughts about God using Neo-Babylon. ▣ "Will the clay say to the potter" This concept of humans as clay and YHWH as potter is common in the Bible, probably because humans are made from the dust or clay and will return to dust (cf. Gen. 2:7; 3:19; Isa. 29:16; Jer. 18:1ff; Rom. 9:20-21) it highlights YHWH's freedom to do with His creation whatever He desires and purposes (cf. Romans 9-11) There are MSS variants here. with the potsherds of clay (MT) with the potters of clay (NEB, JPSOA) with the potter of clay (RSV, NRSV) The UBS Text Project, p. 123, gives a "C" rating to #1. This means the committee could not decide which option was original. ▣ NASB, NKJV "He has no hands" NRSV, JPSOA "Your work has no handles" REV, REB "you have no skill" "your work has no hands" "am I not the work of your hands" "what you are making has no hands" "nor do you have hands" "Your work lacks skill" This can mean the idols have no hands the craftsmen have no skill the vessel has no handles It is best just to recognize the ambiguity and look to the other lines of poetry in Isa. 45:9 and Isa. 45:10 for a general contextual meaning. That which is created (i.e. a pot or an idol) cannot question the creator!
Isaías 45:11-13
45:11 This verse starts out with several titles for God. YHWH (see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D.) the Holy One of Israel (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE HOLY ONE) Israel's Maker (BDB 427, KB 428, Qal PARTICIPLE) It then continues the emphasis on YHWH as the predictor of future events (i.e. Cyrus' conquest). The UBS Text Project (p. 125) suggests, "questions me about the things to come, (but) as to my sons and the work of my hands, let me take care of them!" (JPSOA, "will you question Me"). ▣ "My hands" SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE GOD 45:12 Line 1 reflects Genesis 1. ▣ "stretched out the heavens" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE CIRCLE OF THE EARTH. SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVEN ▣ "with My hands" SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE GOD ▣ "And I ordained all their host" Here again YHWH is magnifying His unique place as Creator of heaven and earth. The Babylonians worshiped the stars and planets. This is a strong statement that YHWH commanded (BDB 845, KB 1010, Piel PERFECT) all their hosts (cf. Isa. 40:26; 48:13; Ps. 33:6). This emphasis on YHWH as the creator and controller of the heavenly bodies (i.e. sun, moon, stars, planets, comets) functions like Genesis 1 in showing the folly of astral worship. In Isa. 24:21-22 the word "host" is used for the angelic powers behind the nations (cf. the LXX of Deut. 32:8 and Daniel 10). Whether it is angelic or planetary, YHWH is in control of all the lesser spiritual beings of the universe called elohim. There is no other Supreme Being but YHWH, but there are other spiritual forces. SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVEN SPECIAL TOPIC: ANGELS AND THE DEMONS SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C. SPECIAL TOPIC: HEAVENLY COUNCIL OF ANGELIC BEINGS 45:13 "I have aroused him in righteousness" The NIV translates the "him" as Cyrus. YHWH stirred up Cyrus to do His will. This refers to the rapid and complete conquests by Cyrus II the decree of Cyrus II, which allowed all the exiled people groups to go home and rebuild their national temples. This decree was given in 538 B.C., one year after the fall of Neo-Babylon. ▣ "My city" See SPECIAL TOPIC: THE TWO CITIES IN ISAIAH ▣ "Without any payment or reward" YHWH will give Cyrus II victory and he in turn will let Israel return to Judah without a bribe or payment (TEV). The Jewish Study Bible (p. 876) says that Isa. 45:14 refers to YHWH's reward to Cyrus.
Isaías 45:14-17
45:14 It is uncertain if Isa. 45:14-17 comprises a literary unit. It is obvious that Isa. 45:15-17 is referring to Judah (cf. Isa. 43:3). It is possible that Isa. 45:14 may refer to Cyrus II and not to Judah. However, these same nations are given as a ransom for God's people in Isa. 43:3. All the world was meant to come to God in Isa. 45:20-22. Therefore, Judah could be the subject of Isa. 45:14. This is very similar to the prophecies that all the nations will stream to a restored Zion (cf. Isa. 2:2-4; 60:1ff; Ps. 72:8-11; see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN). The summary line of Isa. 45:14, "No other God," carries over to Isa. 45:16 (i.e. "they"). Both the idols and their worshipers shall be put to shame ‒ BDB 101, KB 116, Qal PERFECT humiliated ‒ BDB 487, KB 480, Niphal PERFECT But Israel will not (cf. Isa. 45:17)! ▣ NASB, NKJV, Peshitta "men of stature" NRSV, NJB "tall of stature" "tall men" REB, JPSOA footnote "bringing tribute" "long of limb" "lofty men" The MT has "men of stature." The JPSOA footnote mentions Ezra 4:20; 8:6; Neh. 5:4 as corroborative historical evidence for the emendation. "men of" ‒ אנשׁו (BDB 60) "tribute" ‒ אשׁכר (NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 552) Option #2 fits the context best but there are no textual examples. 45:15 Notice the names for God God (El, BDB 42) God (Eloah, BDB 43) of Israel Savior (BDB 446, KB 448, Hiphil PARTICIPLE) The Savior of Israel did hide Himself from His people for a period of time because of their sin and rebellion (cf. Isa. 1:15; 8:17; 54:8; 57:17; Ps. 44:24; 88:14, also note Job 13:24). But that period of judgment has passed (cf. Isa. 40:2) and now the return and restoration has begun through Cyrus II. The AB, vol. 20, p. 82, suggests this hiddenness is because Judah was a small and insignificant nation at this period of time. 45:16 See note at Isa. 45:14. Verse 16 is theologically parallel to Isa. 44:11. ▣ "put to shame" See SPECIAL TOPIC: SHAME 45:17 This is a wonderful promise but readers need to remember it is conditional on Judah's covenant obedience. Just to read this and forget that Israel was again conquered and destroyed by both Greece and Rome shows the limits of proof-texting. The problem was not YHWH's love, power, and promises, but Israel's inability to keep His commandments. See SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT The Hebrew terms "everlasting" (BDB 761) and "eternity" (BDB 761) are from a Hebrew root that has a wide range of meaning (i.e. semantic field). SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam and aiōnios)
Isaías 45:18-19
45:18 "He established it and did not create it a waste place" This is an allusion to Gen. 1:2. It could be translated "without form" (BDB 1062). YHWH always had a purpose for this planet. That purpose is that it would be inhabited (i.e. Gen. 1:28; 9:1,7). There was a purposful, planned development in God's creation. This does not prove some kind of destruction between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 (i.e. the Gap Theory). See full note at Gen. 1:1-2 online. I have been blessed by a new understanding of Genesis 1; see John H. Walton, The Lost World of Genesis One: An Ancient Cosmology. This book sees Genesis 1 as Elohim preparing this planet for human population. Dr. Walton views this text in light of other ANE cosmologies and concludes that it is not addressing initial creation, but organization. ▣ "But formed it to be inhabited)" This is used by the rabbis to stress that everyone should marry (cf. Gen. 1:28; 9:1,7). SPECIAL TOPIC: CELIBACY AND MARRIAGE 45:19 YHWH has asserted over and over in this section of Isaiah that He is the God who hears and acts; Who knows the future and sets its course! This theological assertion is a primary evidence of His existence! The other evidence is the existence of Israel and her return to the Promised Land.
Isaías 45:20-25
45:20 "Gather yourselves and come; Draw near together, you fugitives of the nations; They have no knowledge" Some say this refers to scattered, exiled Israelites returning home (i.e.,"you fugitives of the nations," also note Isa. 45:25), while others believe it is another general invitation to the Gentile nations, as in Isa. 45:6,22,23 (cf. Rom. 14:11; Phil. 2:10). Both are possible in this context. There is a series of commands in Isa. 45:20-22 related to how humans are to approach YHWH and respond to His offer of availability. gather yourselves ‒ BDB 867, KB 1062, Niphal IMPERATIVE, Isa. 45:20 come ‒ BDB 97, KB 112, Qal IMPERATIVE, Isa. 45:20 draw near ‒ BDB 620, KB 670, Hiphil IMPERATIVE, Isa. 45:20 turn to Me ‒ BDB 815, KB 937, Qal IMPERATIVE, Isa. 45:22 be saved ‒ BDB 446, KB 448, Niphal IMPERATIVE, Isa. 45:22 The NT uses Isa. 45:23 in two quotes that refer to all humans (i.e. Rom. 14:11 and esp. Phil. 2:10)! What a wonderful invitation and fulfillment of Gen. 3:15 and 12:3. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN ▣ "Who carry about their wooden idol" This is a recurrent call on the nations to reject their idols who cannot see, hear, or act, and come to the God of Israel who can act and who will save them. 45:21 This is the imagery of a court scene. It predicts Cyrus II and his success the return of Israel as an evangelistic tool to bring the world to God Here, God is called a "Savior" and in this context implies not of Jews only but of the entire world (cf. Isa. 45:22; 49:6; 51:4; 52:10; Acts 13:47). The obvious implication of monotheism is that the One God loves all humans created in His image (cf. Gen. 1:26-27). 45:22 "Turn to Me" This is the Hebrew word that is used for worship (BDB 815, KB 937, Qal IMPERATIVE PLURAL). As the people turn to God they leave their idolatry and sin (cf. Isa. 55:7). Humans have a choice. They can turn to YHWH and be saved or turn to idols (cf. Lev. 19:4,31; 20:6; Deut. 31:18,20) and have no hope! This is a wonderful invitation for the nations to be included in the Family of God! ▣ "and be saved, all the ends of the earth" This is a reference to the universal salvation offered to all humans who will repent and trust in YHWH because there is no other God (cf. Isa. 45:21). This universal offer is so characteristic of Isaiah (cf. Isa. 2:2-4; 12:4-5; 25:6-9; 42:6-12; 49:5-6; 51:4-5; 60:1-3; 66:23). This can be translated "save themselves" (Niphal IMPERATIVE), which would be a play on Gen. 12:3 (see exegetical notes online). SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN 45:23 "I have sworn by Myself" There is no higher oath possible! This, of course, is imagery for God's truthfulness ▣ "The word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness And will not turn back" This is the ancient belief in the power of the spoken word (cf. Isa. 24:3; 25:8; 40:8; 55:10-11). God said it; He wants the world to be saved (i.e. John 3:16; 4:42; 1 Tim. 2:4; Titus 2:11; 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 John 2:2; 4:14)! ▣ "That to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance" There are several different ways (i.e. physical positions) that ANE people worshiped. standing up ‒ 1 Sam. 1:26; 1 Kgs. 8:22; Jer. 18:20 kneeling ‒ 1 Kgs. 8:54; 2 Chr. 6:13; Ps. 95:6; Isa. 45:23; Dan. 6:10-11 prostrated ‒ Ps. 5:7; 95:6; 99:5,9; 138:2 A good example of multiple positions based on which part of the worship event is Nehemiah 9:2-5. they stood while Torah was read they knelt down to confess their sin they stood up again at the direction of the Levite leaders This is used in this context of YHWH. However, in Phil. 2:10 it is used of all conscious creation confessing Jesus Christ as Lord. The context again shows that God wants the whole world to come to Him and later revelation will show it is through His Messiah, Jesus Christ, that this universal offer is accomplished (cf. Mark 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:21; see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE GOSPEL). The theological issue is very clear. If the NT is revelation, then the OT promises to national Israel have been widened. Neither Jesus nor any NT writer ever reaffirms a national promise to Israel! SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY ARE OT COVENANT PROMISES SO DIFFERENT FROM NT COVENANT PROMISES? 45:24 NASB, NRSV "will come to Him" "To Him men shall come" "all who hate me" "who used to rage at him" "All who defy him" "all who are angry at him" "trust in Him" The MT has "shall come and be shamed" (two Qal IMPERFECTS). The question is, "To whom does 'will come to Him' refer?" those who acknowledge YHWH (v. 23d, JPSOA, cf. Ps. 65:2b) those who are angry (v. 24c, TEV, NJB, NET, REB) ▣ "And all who are angry at Him shall be put to shame" This does show that one day all peoples, whether they believe in YHWH or not, will acknowledge Him as Lord (cf. Phil. 2:10-11). Some will have previously acknowledged Him and be saved, but some will acknowledge Him just before judgment and separation (cf. Matt. 25:31-46; Rev. 20:11-15). SPECIAL TOPIC: ETERNAL PUNISHMENT 45:25 YHWH not only desires the worship of the nations, but the vindication and glory of Abraham's seed. As a Christian, this terminology, "all the offspring of Israel," causes me to note Rom. 2:28-29; 9-11, esp. 9:6; 11:26; also see Gal. 3:7-9,29; 6:16; 1 Pet. 3:6.