Isaiah 45 2

Isaiah 45:2 kjv

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

Isaiah 45:2 nkjv

'I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.

Isaiah 45:2 niv

I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.

Isaiah 45:2 esv

"I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron,

Isaiah 45:2 nlt

This is what the LORD says:
"I will go before you, Cyrus,
and level the mountains.
I will smash down gates of bronze
and cut through bars of iron.

Isaiah 45 verses

Isaiah 45 2 Meaning

God proclaims His unwavering commitment to pave the way for His chosen instrument, Cyrus, to achieve His divine purpose. This involves removing all formidable natural and man-made barriers, symbolized by leveling mountains and shattering massive city gates and their reinforcements. The promise underscores God's absolute sovereignty and ability to overcome any obstacle for the fulfillment of His will, ultimately benefiting His people, Israel, by enabling their return from exile.

Isaiah 45 2 Context

Isaiah 45:2 forms part of a grand declaration of God's sovereignty, primarily addressed to Cyrus (Isa 45:1) but with profound implications for the exiled people of Israel. Chapter 44 concludes with God's promise to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple through "my shepherd" Cyrus. Chapter 45 then opens with God explicitly naming Cyrus and outlining how He will prepare the way for his conquests, specifically targeting the seemingly impregnable city of Babylon. The historical context is the Babylonian captivity of Israel in the 6th century BC. Babylon was known for its colossal walls, deep moat, and bronze gates, representing insurmountable human defenses. God's message, therefore, is a powerful polemic against the pagan deities and the perceived invincibility of human empires, proclaiming Himself as the sole orchestrator of history who controls nations and leaders to fulfill His covenant promises to Israel. This verse highlights divine power intervening directly to dismantle both literal and figurative barriers for the accomplishment of God's will.

Isaiah 45 2 Word analysis

• I will go before you: (לְפָנֶיךָ אֵלֵךְ - lephaneyka elech) Literally "I will walk before your face." This signifies God's direct initiative and active presence leading the way. It is a promise of divine vanguard, implying protective guidance and preparation. God ensures the path is not merely clear, but He is personally leading the charge.

• and will level: (אוֹשִׁיר - 'oshir) From yashar, meaning "to be straight, smooth, or right." In the Hiphil stem, it means "to make straight," "to level," or "to smooth out." This term conveys the idea of removing ruggedness, removing obstacles, and making a difficult terrain easily traversable. It's about straightening what is crooked and making flat what is elevated.

• the mountains: (הֶהָרִים - heharim) Refers to literal geographic formations that act as barriers. Metaphorically, they represent any colossal, seemingly unmovable, and daunting obstacles or challenges—be they political, military, or environmental—that stand in the way of God's plan or Cyrus's mission. Their plurality emphasizes the multitude of difficulties God is prepared to address.

• I will break down: (אֲשַׁבֵּר - 'ashabber) A strong verbal form, shabar (Piel stem), meaning "to break into pieces," "to shatter," "to demolish." It implies a forceful, comprehensive, and utterly destructive act, ensuring complete eradication rather than mere weakening or opening.

• gates of bronze: (דַּלְתֵי נְחוּשָׁה - daltei nekhushah) Literally "doors of copper/bronze." Historically, the defensive gates of ancient cities like Babylon were massive, formidable, and reinforced with bronze, symbolizing immense strength, security, and impenetrability. Their destruction emphasizes God's power over human engineering and might.

• and cut through: (וּבְרִיחֵי - uverihey, the verb אֲגַדֵּעַ - 'agad'a is understood/implied and means to "cut off," "chop down," "sever") This signifies a decisive, complete severing. It indicates not just an opening, but the rendering of the defensive mechanism useless and inoperative.

• bars of iron: (בַרְזֶל - barzel) Iron bars were often used as additional internal reinforcement for city gates, representing the pinnacle of ancient defensive technology. Their mention further highlights the degree of insurmountable security being dismantled, demonstrating God's power over even the most advanced human fortifications.

• "I will go before you and will level the mountains": This phrase encapsulates God's active, preceding presence and His power to dismantle any natural or metaphorical obstacle, no matter how immense or daunting. It speaks to divine initiative and ease of passage where human effort would find only impossibility.

• "I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron": This powerful parallelism targets human-made fortifications. It emphasizes God's absolute dominion over the most formidable and supposedly impenetrable defensive structures. The imagery underscores the futility of relying on physical might or strategic engineering when opposing God's preordained purposes.

Isaiah 45 2 Bonus section

The prophecy regarding Cyrus in Isaiah is remarkable for naming a pagan king nearly two centuries before his birth and describing the manner in which he would fulfill God's plan to liberate Israel. The specific mention of "gates of bronze and bars of iron" resonated particularly strongly with the ancient Near East, where cities like Babylon were renowned for their colossal defensive systems. Historical accounts (e.g., from Herodotus or Xenophon) describe Cyrus's siege and capture of Babylon in 539 BC, noting the impressive nature of its walls and gates, and potentially how they were overcome, either by strategy or unexpected weaknesses. The theological point, however, is not the how but the Who: God takes full credit for preparing Cyrus's way and ensuring the dismantling of seemingly impenetrable obstacles, thereby establishing Himself as the true ruler of history and nations, above any pagan deity or human king's strength. This divine foresight serves as compelling evidence of God's omniscient control over earthly events.

Isaiah 45 2 Commentary

Isaiah 45:2 stands as a profound testament to God's supreme sovereignty and irresistible power, revealing Him as the active agent in human history. Addressed within the context of Cyrus, this verse promises divine intervention to dismantle all forms of opposition—be it natural "mountains" or sophisticated human "gates of bronze and bars of iron"—for the fulfillment of His specific purposes, namely the liberation of His people from Babylon. It asserts that no barrier, however formidable, can withstand God's decree. The promise of God "going before" ensures success not by human might, but by divine enabling, positioning God as the one who orchestrates events, removes hindrances, and prepares the way for His will to be accomplished. It offers enduring reassurance that God, for those aligned with His purposes, is capable of overcoming every seemingly impossible challenge.