Isa 44:28-45:6 | NETfull | STEP | who commissions Cyrus, the one I appointed as shepherd to carry out all my wishes and to decree concerning Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and concerning the temple, ‘It will be reconstructed.’”

Isaiah 44:28

28 who commissions ^{▼▼ Heb “says to.” It is possible that the sentence is not completed, as the description of Cyrus and his God-given role is developed in the rest of the verse. 45:1 picks up where 44:28a leaves off with the Lord’s actual words to Cyrus finally being quoted in 45:2.} Cyrus, the one I appointed as shepherd ^{▼▼ Heb “my shepherd.” The shepherd motif is sometimes applied, as here, to a royal figure who is responsible for the well-being of the people whom he rules.}
to carry out all my wishes ^{▼▼ Heb “that he might bring to completion all my desire.”}
and to decree concerning Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’
and concerning the temple, ‘It will be reconstructed.’” ^{▼▼ Heb “and [concerning the] temple, you will be founded.” The preposition -לְ (l^e) is understood by ellipsis at the beginning of the second line. The verb תִּוָּסֵד (tivvased, “you will be founded”) is second masculine singular and is probably addressed to the personified temple (הֵיכָל [hekhal, “temple”] is masculine).}

Isaiah 45:1-6

1 This is what the Lord says to his chosen ^{▼▼ Heb “anointed” (so KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT); NCV “his appointed king.”} one,
to Cyrus, whose right hand I hold ^{▼▼ The “right hand” is a symbol of activity and strength; the Lord directs Cyrus’ activities and assures his success.}
in order to subdue nations before him,
and disarm kings, ^{▼▼ Heb “and the belts of kings I will loosen”; NRSV “strip kings of their robes”; NIV “strip kings of their armor.”}
to open doors before him,
so gates remain unclosed:
2 “I will go before you
and level mountains. ^{▼▼ The form הֲדוּרִים (hadurim) makes little, if any, sense here. It is probably a corruption of an original הָרָרִים (hararim, “mountains”), the reduplicated form of הָר (har, “mountain”).}
Bronze doors I will shatter
and iron bars ^{▼▼ That is, on the gates. Cf. CEV “break the iron bars on bronze gates.”} I will hack through.
3 I will give you hidden treasures, ^{▼▼ Heb “treasures of darkness” (KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV); TEV “treasures from dark, secret places.”}
riches stashed away in secret places,
so you may recognize that I am the Lord,
the one who calls you by name, the God of Israel.
4 For the sake of my servant Jacob,
Israel, my chosen one,
I call you by name
and give you a title of respect, even though you do not recognize ^{▼▼ Or “know” (NCV, NRSV, TEV, NLT); NIV “acknowledge.”} me.
5 I am the Lord, I have no peer, ^{▼▼ Heb “and there is none besides.” On the use of עוֹד (’od) here, see BDB 729 s.v. 1.c.}
there is no God but me.
I arm you for battle, ^{▼▼ Heb “gird you” (so NASB) or “strengthen you” (so NIV).} even though you do not recognize ^{▼▼ Or “know” (NAB, NCV, NRSV, TEV, CEV, NLT); NIV “have not acknowledged.”} me.
6 I do this ^{▼▼ The words “I do this” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.} so people ^{▼▼ Heb “they” (so KJV, ASV); TEV, CEV “everyone”; NLT “all the world.”} will recognize from east to west
that there is no God but me;
I am the Lord, I have no peer.