Isaiah 45 13

Isaiah 45:13 kjv

I 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.

Isaiah 45:13 nkjv

I have raised him up in righteousness, And I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city And let My exiles go free, Not for price nor reward," Says the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 45:13 niv

I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness: I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, but not for a price or reward, says the LORD Almighty."

Isaiah 45:13 esv

I have stirred him up in righteousness, and I will make all his ways level; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward," says the LORD of hosts.

Isaiah 45:13 nlt

I will raise up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose,
and I will guide his actions.
He will restore my city and free my captive people ?
without seeking a reward!
I, the LORD of Heaven's Armies, have spoken!"

Isaiah 45 verses

Isaiah 45 13 Meaning

The verse Isaiah 45:13 declares Yahweh's sovereign initiative in raising up Cyrus, the Persian king, not for Cyrus's own glory or gain, but for God's righteous purpose. This divine action ensures the restoration of Jerusalem and the release of the Judean exiles from Babylonian captivity, a redemption performed entirely by God's decree and without any cost, ransom, or incentive demanded from the exiles. It underscores God's ability to use Gentile rulers to accomplish His holy and just plans for His people and His city.

Isaiah 45 13 Context

Isaiah 45:13 falls within a section of Isaiah (chapters 40-48) often referred to as "The Book of Consolation." This portion emphasizes God's incomparable power, His unique role as Creator and Redeemer, and His foreknowledge, specifically comforting Israel with the promise of restoration from Babylonian exile. The historical context is the looming or current Babylonian captivity. Judah has suffered exile due to her disobedience, but God promises to bring them back. This verse, following the explicit naming of Cyrus (Isa 44:28, 45:1), serves to affirm God's absolute sovereignty over nations and human history, directly addressing the anxieties and doubts of the exiles who might wonder how such a seemingly impossible return could occur. It stands in stark contrast to the impotence of idols and the claims of other gods, clearly demonstrating Yahweh's singular ability to declare future events and bring them to pass. The previous verses in chapter 45 have underscored God as the sole creator and controller of light, darkness, good, and evil, challenging any dualistic or polytheistic notions of power.

Isaiah 45 13 Word analysis

• I (אָנֹכִי - ʼānōḵî): Refers to Yahweh, the Lord God. This emphatic pronoun highlights God's personal, sovereign initiative. It underscores His absolute control and personal involvement in historical events.
• have stirred him up (הַעֲמֹתִֽיהוּ - haʿamōṯîhû): From the root קוּם (qum), meaning "to rise up, establish." It implies active divine enablement and commissioning, not a passive permission. God actively caused Cyrus to rise to power and directed his actions.
• in righteousness (בְצֶ֥דֶק - bĕṣeḏeq): Refers to God's inherent character and His just and right purposes. His actions are not arbitrary but align with His moral perfections and covenant faithfulness. It implies His redemptive justice – fulfilling His promise to Israel.
• and I will make all his ways straight (וְכָל־דְּרָכָ֖יו אֲיַשֵּֽׁר - wəḵāl-dĕrāḵāyw ʼayyiššēr): From the root יָשַׁר (yashar), meaning "to be straight, right, prosperous." This signifies God removing obstacles, providing clear direction, and ensuring the success of Cyrus's path to achieve God's specific goals. It's divine Providence ensuring the means for the end.
• He shall build my city (ה֛וּא יִבְנֶ֥ה עִירִֽי - hûʼ yibneh ʻîrî): "My city" refers to Jerusalem. This is a direct command and promise. The Gentile king Cyrus is made an instrument for the rebuilding of God's holy city, which was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. It signifies the restoration of the covenant community's physical and symbolic center.
• and he shall let go my captives (וְגָלוּתִ֥י יְשַׁלֵּ֑חַ - wəgālûṯî yəšallēaḥ): "My captives" refers to the exiled people of Judah. The verb שָׁלַח (shalach) means "to send, let go, release." It emphasizes the unilateral decision of the liberator. God’s people are His, even in captivity.
• not for price (לֹ֤א בִמְחִיר֙ - lōʼ ḇimhîr): "Price" (mĕḥîr) denotes a monetary cost, compensation, or ransom. This emphatically states that the release is not earned or bought.
• nor reward (וְלֹ֣א בְשֹׁ֔חַד - wəlōʼ bĕšōḥaḏ): "Reward" (shōḥaḏ) implies a bribe, a gratuity, or a payment to influence. The combined phrase means the release is completely unmerited, a free act of divine grace, a reflection of God's character and plan rather than human negotiation or sacrifice.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I have stirred him up in righteousness": This phrase establishes God's absolute sovereignty and moral character as the initiator of world events. He doesn't just react but proactively directs. The "righteousness" indicates His purposes are always aligned with justice and His divine covenant. This is a direct polemic against the arbitrary actions of pagan gods or fate; Yahweh acts with purpose and according to His nature.
• "and I will make all his ways straight": This signifies divine control over every detail of Cyrus's campaign and governance. God clears obstacles, ensuring that the human agent accomplishes the divine will seamlessly. It's a demonstration of God's detailed providence, guiding specific human actions to fulfill specific prophecies.
• "He shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives": This details the twin aspects of God's redemptive plan for His people post-exile. The physical rebuilding of Jerusalem symbolizes the restoration of the people's identity and worship, while the release of the exiles signifies freedom and a new beginning. The use of "my city" and "my captives" reaffirms God's proprietary claim and enduring covenant with His people, even in their exiled state.
• "not for price nor reward": This pivotal phrase highlights the gracious nature of this divine act. It's an unearned, unconditional liberation, prefiguring the spiritual redemption that God provides freely to humanity through Christ. It is not dependent on human merit, sacrifice, or political negotiation, contrasting with the common practice of ransoming captives or bribing rulers. It further accentuates God's power and benevolence, needing nothing from man to accomplish His will.

Isaiah 45 13 Bonus section

This verse demonstrates a key theological theme: God's cosmic sovereignty extending even to non-believing rulers and nations. Cyrus, unbeknownst to him, was an instrument in God's hand to fulfill His promises to Israel. This underscores that all of history, including political shifts and empire building, operates under God's ultimate dominion. The declaration that Cyrus will act "not for price nor reward" is a polemic not just against the transactional nature of ancient ransoms or bribes but also against any humanistic attempt to "earn" God's favor or manipulate Him. God's salvation, whether physical return from exile or spiritual salvation, is always initiated by His divine will and performed out of His intrinsic grace and righteousness. This concept lays groundwork for the New Testament understanding of salvation by grace through faith, apart from works (Eph 2:8-9). It reinforces that divine grace is the source of all true liberation.

Isaiah 45 13 Commentary

Isaiah 45:13 is a powerful declaration of God's unparalleled sovereignty and specific redemptive plan. It portrays Yahweh as the orchestrator of history, uniquely capable of predicting and fulfilling His will, even through unlikely human agents like Cyrus, a pagan king. God’s action of "stirring up" Cyrus and "straightening his ways" showcases His meticulous providence, directing even the ambitions and policies of rulers for His own purposes. The focus shifts from the earthly instruments to the divine will and character, emphasized by "in righteousness." The outcomes—rebuilding Jerusalem and releasing the captives—are central to God's covenant faithfulness, demonstrating that despite Israel's failures, God remains committed to His promises. The profound phrase "not for price nor reward" underpins the gratuitous nature of God's salvation. This teaches that God's greatest acts of deliverance are not earned or merited by humanity, but are expressions of His unmerited grace, flowing purely from His righteous character and unfathomable love. It’s a foretaste of the even greater, completely unmerited spiritual redemption found in Christ Jesus.