1 Thus says Jehovah to his anointed,to Cyrus, whom I grasp by the right hand,to subdue nations before him,to ungird the loins of rulers,opening doors ahead of him,letting no gates remain shut:
2 I will go before you and level all obstacles;I will break in pieces brazen doorsand cut through iron bars.
3 I will give you hidden treasuresand secret hoards of wealth—that you may know that it is I Jehovah,the God of Israel, who calls you by name.
4 For the sake of my servant Jacob,and Israel my chosen, I call you by name—I named you when yet you knew me not.
5 I am Jehovah, there is none other;apart from me there is no God.I girded you up when yet you knew me not—
6 that men from where the sun rises to where it setsmay know that without me there is nothing,that I am Jehovah, and that there is none other.
7 I fashion light and form darkness;I occasion peace and cause calamity.I, Jehovah, do all these things.
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
8 Rain down from above, O heavens;let the skies overflow with righteousness.Let the earth receive it and salvation ablossom;alet righteousness spring up forthwith.I, Jehovah, create it.
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
9 Woe to those in conflict with their Maker,mere shards of earthenware pottery!As though the clay were to say to him who molds it,What are you doing?Your hands have no skill for the work!
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
10 Woe to those who say to their Father,What have you begotten?or to the Woman, What have you borne?
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
11 Thus says Jehovah,the Holy One of Israel, their Maker:Will you ask meb for signsc concerning my children,or dictate to me about the deeds of my hands?
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
12 It is I who made the earthand created man upon it;I with my handd suspended the heavens,appointing all their host.
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who assisted in the creation of the heavens and the earth and whom Jehovah appointed over the heavenly hosts.
blue
13 It is I who rightfully raise him up,who facilitate his every step;he will rebuild my city and set free my exileswithout price or bribe, says Jehovah of Hosts.
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who assisted in the creation of the heavens and the earth and whom Jehovah appointed over the heavenly hosts.
blue
14 Thus says Jehovah:The wealth of Egypt and merchandise of Cusheshall pass on to you and become yours,eas shall the Sabeans, a people tall in stature.They shall walk behind you in chainsand bow down to you, entreating you,Surely God is in you; no other gods exist!
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who assisted in the creation of the heavens and the earth and whom Jehovah appointed over the heavenly hosts.
blue
15 Truly you are a God who dissembles himself,O Savior, God of Israel.
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who assisted in the creation of the heavens and the earth and whom Jehovah appointed over the heavenly hosts.
blue
16 As one, the makers of inventions retired in disgrace,utterly dismayed and embarrassed.
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who assisted in the creation of the heavens and the earth and whom Jehovah appointed over the heavenly hosts.
blue
17 But Israel is saved by Jehovahwith an everlasting salvation;you shall not be dismayed or put to shameworlds without end.
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who assisted in the creation of the heavens and the earth and whom Jehovah appointed over the heavenly hosts.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies salvation to his repentant people, whose salvation is everlasting as he is everlasting, assuring them of endless blessedness.
green
18 For thus says Jehovah who created the heavens,the God who formed the earth—who made it secure and organized it,not to remain a chaotic waste,but designed it to be inhabited:I am Jehovah, there is none other.
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who assisted in the creation of the heavens and the earth and whom Jehovah appointed over the heavenly hosts.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies salvation to his repentant people, whose salvation is everlasting as he is everlasting, assuring them of endless blessedness.
green
19 I speak not in secretfrom somewhere in a land of darkness;I do not ask Jacob’s offspringto seek me amid chaos.I Jehovah tell righteousnessand am forthright of speech.
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who assisted in the creation of the heavens and the earth and whom Jehovah appointed over the heavenly hosts.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies salvation to his repentant people, whose salvation is everlasting as he is everlasting, assuring them of endless blessedness.
green
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness in the world, who deceives its corrupt inhabitants and claims to speak in God's name.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness and who acts as his mouth and voice in a time of conflicting claims to divine authority.
blue
20 Gather yourselves and come;draw near, all you fugitives of the nations.They who carried about their wooden idolsand prayed to gods that could not save themwere caught unawares.
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who assisted in the creation of the heavens and the earth and whom Jehovah appointed over the heavenly hosts.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies salvation to his repentant people, whose salvation is everlasting as he is everlasting, assuring them of endless blessedness.
green
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness in the world, who deceives its corrupt inhabitants and claims to speak in God's name.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness and who acts as his mouth and voice in a time of conflicting claims to divine authority.
blue
21 Speak up and present your case;go ahead and consult one another.Who foretold these things of old,predicted them long ago?Did not I, Jehovah,apart from whom there is no God?Did not I, the God of righteousness,except for whom there is no Savior?
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who assisted in the creation of the heavens and the earth and whom Jehovah appointed over the heavenly hosts.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies salvation to his repentant people, whose salvation is everlasting as he is everlasting, assuring them of endless blessedness.
green
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness in the world, who deceives its corrupt inhabitants and claims to speak in God's name.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness and who acts as his mouth and voice in a time of conflicting claims to divine authority.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and acts as a source of divine revelation to Jehovah's people and the nations.
blue
22 Turn to me and save yourselves,all you ends of the earth;I am God, there is none other.
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who assisted in the creation of the heavens and the earth and whom Jehovah appointed over the heavenly hosts.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies salvation to his repentant people, whose salvation is everlasting as he is everlasting, assuring them of endless blessedness.
green
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness in the world, who deceives its corrupt inhabitants and claims to speak in God's name.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness and who acts as his mouth and voice in a time of conflicting claims to divine authority.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and acts as a source of divine revelation to Jehovah's people and the nations.
blue
23 By myself I swear it—righteousness has issued from my mouth,by a decree that cannot be revoked:To me every knee shall bowand every tongue swear allegiance.
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who assisted in the creation of the heavens and the earth and whom Jehovah appointed over the heavenly hosts.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies salvation to his repentant people, whose salvation is everlasting as he is everlasting, assuring them of endless blessedness.
green
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness in the world, who deceives its corrupt inhabitants and claims to speak in God's name.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness and who acts as his mouth and voice in a time of conflicting claims to divine authority.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and acts as a source of divine revelation to Jehovah's people and the nations.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and teaches allegiance to Jehovah when their leaders demand allegiance to them.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness and who acts as his mouth or mouthpiece in a time of conflicting claims to divine authority.
blue
24 It shall be said of me,By Jehovah alone come vindicationf and might.Before him must come in shameall who were incensed against him.
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who assisted in the creation of the heavens and the earth and whom Jehovah appointed over the heavenly hosts.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies salvation to his repentant people, whose salvation is everlasting as he is everlasting, assuring them of endless blessedness.
green
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness in the world, who deceives its corrupt inhabitants and claims to speak in God's name.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness and who acts as his mouth and voice in a time of conflicting claims to divine authority.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and acts as a source of divine revelation to Jehovah's people and the nations.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and teaches allegiance to Jehovah when their leaders demand allegiance to them.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness and who acts as his mouth or mouthpiece in a time of conflicting claims to divine authority.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies Jehovah's vindication or righteousness by acting as a proxy savior to his people and serving as their exemplar of righteousness.
blue
25 In Jehovah shall all Israel’s offspringjustify themselves and have cause to boast.
A creation motif and pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who personifies the light that dawns on Jehovah's elect at the time Jehovah restores them to glory in his Day of Judgment.
blue
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness from whose oppression Jehovah's servant releases Jehovah's people who repent.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness to his people and the nations and who prepares the way for Jehovah's coming to reign on the earth.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies everlasting salvation to his people who prove loyal and whose coming on the earth to reign transforms the earth to a paradisiacal glory.
green
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of (1) Jehovah's servant, his hand of deliverance, and (2) the king of Assyria/Babylon, Jehovah's hand of punishment, whom Jehovah empowers to fulfill their end-time roles.
purple
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, his hand of deliverance, who assisted in the creation of the heavens and the earth and whom Jehovah appointed over the heavenly hosts.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah God of Israel, who personifies salvation to his repentant people, whose salvation is everlasting as he is everlasting, assuring them of endless blessedness.
green
A chaos motif and pseudonym of the end-time king of Assyria/Babylon, who typifies the powers of darkness in the world, who deceives its corrupt inhabitants and claims to speak in God's name.
red
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness and who acts as his mouth and voice in a time of conflicting claims to divine authority.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness in a time of wickedness and acts as a source of divine revelation to Jehovah's people and the nations.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies righteousness to Jehovah's people and teaches allegiance to Jehovah when their leaders demand allegiance to them.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who exemplifies Jehovah's righteousness and who acts as his mouth or mouthpiece in a time of conflicting claims to divine authority.
blue
A pseudonym of Jehovah's end-time servant, who typifies Jehovah's vindication or righteousness by acting as a proxy savior to his people and serving as their exemplar of righteousness.
blue
Apocalyptic Commentary
Isaiah 45
While the preceding passage depicts Jehovah’s end-time servant as a composite of the types of Cyrus and Moses (Isaiah 44:26-28), the present passage depicts him as a composite of the types of Cyrus and David. Although Cyrus the Persian was never called Jehovah’s “anointed” or “Messiah”—his god being Marduk—that was the common title of Israelite kings (1 Samuel 16:12-13; 26:9, 11; 2 Samuel 23:1; cf. Isaiah 61:1). Linking ideas, such as Jehovah’s empowering him by grasping him by the hand, additionally identify the composite Cyrus and David figure as Jehovah’s servant (Isaiah 42:6).
Like the roles of Moses and David, the servant’s roles are physical as well as spiritual. Chapters 41-46, however, depict these roles separately, some spiritual and some physical. Because no one historical figure Isaiah draws on fulfilled all the functions Jehovah’s servant does in restoring Jehovah’s people, Isaiah of necessity divides descriptions of the servant into different personas to show their incompleteness. The servant’s “anointed” status in the pattern of King David, for example (v 1), is incomplete without an accompanying endowment of Jehovah’s Spirit (Isaiah 42:1; 61:1; cf. 1 Samuel 16:13).
Thus, while the present passage deals with the physical aspects of the servant’s mission, Isaiah 42:1-7 deals with its spiritual aspects. However, just as Moses’ roles were both spiritual—when instructing Jehovah’s people in the Sinai wilderness, and physical—when leading their exodus out of Egypt, so the servant’s roles are both spiritual—when dispelling people’s blindness and bondage to sin (Isaiah 42:7), and physical—when releasing them from physical captivity (vv 1-2, 13), facilitating their new exodus out of Babylon and inheritance of promised lands (Isaiah 43:5-8; 48:20-21; 49:8-12).
In short, it is the spiritual conversion of Jehovah’s people that makes possible the physical deliverance and restoration that the composite Cyrus, Moses, and David types depict (vv 1-2, 13; Isaiah 44:26-28). As noted, Micah predicts a similar physical deliverance: “I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob. I will surely gather the remnant of Israel. . . . They will make a great sound because of their immense multitude. The breaker has risen before them. They have broken through and passed through the gate and gone out by it. Their king will pass before them and Jehovah at their head” (Micah 2:12-13).
Enormous wealth, kept in reserve to support the restoration of Jehovah’s people, comes forth at the time Jehovah appoints his end-time servant. As with Jehovah’s grasping him by the hand (v 1), calling him by name signifies royal investiture—as when an emperor legally adopts a vassal or elevates him to higher status (cf. Isaiah 8:11; 40:26; 42:6). That appointment is “for the sake of” Jacob/Israel in order that Jehovah’s people may again become his collective “servant” or vassal. Jehovah’s naming his servant “when yet you knew me not” signifies his foreordination to his earthly mission (Isaiah 49:1).
Even as Jehovah “girds up” his servant, empowering him for his task, so he “ungirds” the loins of world rulers, stripping them of strength (v 1). As Moses wielded power over Egypt’s Pharaoh and the kings of the Canaanites, so does the servant when restoring Jehovah’s people and reestablishing justice in the earth (Isaiah 41:1-3, Isaiah 41:1-3, 25; 42:1-4; 46:11; 48:14-15; 42:1-4; 46:11; 48:14-15). In that day it will become evident to all humanity—“from where the sun rises to where it sets”—that Jehovah alone is God. As in ancient times, Jehovah’s fame will spread among the nations (Numbers 14:15; Deuteronomy 2:25; Joshua 9:9).
When God created the heavens and the earth, “the earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved over the face of the waters, and God said, ‘Let there be light!’ And there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good. And God divided the light from the darkness” (Genesis 1:2-4). That division of the light from the darkness—representing a new creation out of chaotic matter—became an allegory of the spiritual light and darkness that serve as a test for humanity to see which of the two people will choose (Isaiah 5:20; 58:10; 60:1-2).
Secondarily, Jehovah appoints his servant as a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; cf. 50:10; 62:1), while the king of Assyria/Babylon typifies the darkness from which the servant delivers them (Isaiah 42:6-7; 49:9; cf. 9:2; 29:18). Similarly, “calamity,” “disaster,” or “evil” (ra‘) signifies the covenant curse most often associated with the archtyrant (Isaiah 3:9, 11; 13:11; 31:2), while he who begets “peace” is Israel’s God Jehovah (Isaiah 53:5; cf. 26:3, 12; 52:7). Although Jehovah “does all these things,” people nevertheless experience them as a consequence of their righteousness or wickedness.
Jehovah’s sending down righteousness out of heaven alludes to blessings flowing as a consequence of covenant keeping by his elect. That occurs when Jehovah’s servant—his righteousness (Isaiah 41:2; 46:11-13)—prepares the way for Jehovah’s coming to reign as salvation by raising as many as repent of the Jacob/Israel category to the Zion/Jerusalem category and levels higher (Isaiah 52:1-2, Isaiah 52:1-2, 7; 59:20; 62:11; 59:20; 62:11). As a pattern for his elect, Jehovah “creates” or re-creates righteousness, denoting his servant’s ascent to a higher spiritual level as he fulfills his earthly mission (Isaiah 42:6-7; 49:8-10).
Parallel “woes” or pronunciations of covenant curses address the opposers of Jehovah’s “work” or “deeds” (po‘al) (vv 9, 11). An a-b-a chiasm identifies that work as “children” or “sons” (banay); that is, the rebirth on a higher spiritual level of proxy saviors—Jehovah’s elect—under the terms of the Davidic Covenant. But because that outcome doesn’t conform to what many believe, they oppose it. The chaos motifs of “shards” and “clay”—like those of “dust” and “stubble” (Isaiah 41:2)—identify the opposers as persons in authority whom Jehovah reduces to chaos in his Day of Judgment (Isaiah 41:25):
“My Lord says, ‘Because these people approach me with the mouth and pay me homage with their lips, while their heart remains far from me—their piety toward me consisting of commandments of men learned by rote—therefore it is that I shall again astound these people with wonder upon wonder, rendering void the knowledge of their sages and the intelligence of their wise men insignificant.’ . . . What a contradiction you are! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay? Shall what is made say of its maker, ‘He did not make me,’ or a work of its designer, ‘He doesn’t understand?’” (Isaiah 29:13-14, Isaiah 29:13-14, 16).
The “signs” that the adversaries of Jehovah’s work ask for—which, in the end, consist of their being reduced to broken shards—identify them with other sign seekers who are in authority who excommunicate Jehovah’s servants: “Hear the word of Jehovah, you who are vigilant for his word: Your brethren who abhor you, and exclude you because of my name, say, ‘Let Jehovah manifest his glory, that we may see cause for your joy!’ But it is they who shall suffer shame. Hark, a tumult from the city, a noise from the temple! It is the voice of Jehovah paying his enemies what is due them” (Isaiah 66:5-6).
Jehovah’s hands are two: (1) the servant who restores Jehovah’s people; and (2) the archtyrant who destroys a wicked world. Persons in the Jacob/Israel category who ascend to Zion/Jerusalem, whose subjection to the archtyrant has helped to refine them, Jehovah’s servant delivers at the last. The a-b-a chiasm of Jehovah as “Maker” (v 9)—a; as “Father” (’ab) (v 10)—b; and as “Maker” (v 11)—a identifies Jehovah’s role as the divine emperor of “sons” or vassals under the terms of the Davidic Covenant and the “Woman” or “Wife” (’issa) as the Woman Zion who gives them birth (Isaiah 66:7-9).
Jehovah again appears as creator of the heavens and the earth before he validates his servant as one whom he “rightfully raises up” or “raises up in/as righteousness” (ha‘irotihu besedeq). Forming an integral part of the servant’s end-time mission are two things for which Cyrus set a precedent: (1) the rebuilding of “my city”—Jerusalem (Isaiah 44:26, 28); and (2) the release of Jehovah’s “exiles” or captives who are exiled among the nations (42:7; 49:9). Jehovah’s appointing the host of heaven with his hand identifies Jehovah and his servant as co-creators and empowerers (cf. Isaiah 40:12, 26; 41:20).
As a result of the servant’s releasing Jehovah’s captives (v 13; Isaiah 42:6-7; 43:5-8; 49:8-9, 24-25) and conquering their enemies (vv 1-2; Isaiah 41:2-3, 11-16; 49:17), former foes convert to the God of Israel: “The sons of those who tormented you will come bowing before you; all who reviled you will prostrate themselves at your feet” (Isaiah 60:14); “Proselytes will adhere to them and join the house of Jacob. . . And the house of Israel will possess them as menservants and maidservants in the land of Jehovah: they will take captive their captors and rule over their oppressors” (Isaiah 14:1-2).
While it is the servant who restores Jehovah’s people (Isaiah 11:10-12; 49:5-13; 55:4-5), it is Jehovah who delivers them and reverses their covenant curses: “O Jehovah, you bring about our peace; even all that we have accomplished you have done for us” (Isaiah 26:12). In the act of redeeming his people spiritually, he similarly evidences “no distinguished appearance, that we should notice him, no [pleasing] aspect that we should find him attractive” (Isaiah 53:2). Such modesty by the “Savior God of Israel” befits humanity’s exemplar: “Learn of me for I am meek and lowly of heart” (Matthew 11:29).
Although all nations and peoples have the chance to respond positively to the servant’s mission of restoring Jehovah’s people (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6), many continue to cling to their idols. Those who repent of idolatry in a hostile world, on the other hand, may suffer the temporary shame of claiming Jehovah as their God. But they will experience his “everlasting salvation” when Jehovah—their salvation—comes to dwell among them (Isaiah 12:6; 25:8-9; 26:1-6; 51:6-8; 62:11-12). The unrepentant, meanwhile—the idolaters who failed the test of their faith—suffer the shame of having chosen poorly.
The idea that the God who created the heavens and the earth “tells righteousness” and is “forthright of speech” infers that others than his servant—Jehovah’s righteousness (Isaiah 41:2; 46:11-13)—who claim to speak in God’s name aren’t forthright of speech. The “land of darkness” alludes to the land of the king of Assyria/Babylon who typifies darkness, from whose power and oratory the servant delivers Jehovah’s people (Isaiah 42:6-7; 49:6-9, 24-25). While Israel’s God is the one who created the heavens and the earth as a habitation for his people (Isaiah 40:22), all that idolaters do is create “chaos.”
Those who continue to cleave to false gods even when Jehovah’s servant challenges them to repent are “caught unawares” as calamities come upon them. Unable to prove their legitimacy by predicting the future (Isaiah 41:21-29; 43:9-10; 44:25), they are confronted with the fact that Jehovah alone predicts it through Isaiah and through his servant—Jehovah’s righteousness (v 19)—precisely as it is coming to pass (Isaiah 44:26; 48:16). As a “righteous God” or the “God of righteousness” (’el-saddiq), Jehovah—unlike the false gods they rely on that can’t save them—still pleads with them to repent.
By decreeing that to him “every knee shall bow and every tongue swear [allegiance],” Jehovah asserts his role as Savior of all humanity—of “the ends of the earth”—in the pattern of ancient Near Eastern emperor-vassal covenants. As under the collective Sinai Covenant, a people who demonstrate allegiance to the emperor bind him to deliver them from a mortal threat. Similarly, under the individual Davidic Covenant those who demonstrate allegiance to a loyal vassal of an emperor bind him to deliver them and his vassal. Those who fail to demonstrate such allegiance, the emperor isn’t required to deliver.
Transposed into Isaiah’s end-time scenario, that means Jehovah will ultimately save spiritually and temporally all who covenant to be his people and keep the terms of his covenants. An alternative savior to Jehovah may demand their allegiance, even on pain of death, but he can’t save them. Only through righteousness—Jehovah’s servant who personifies and mediates his covenant (Isaiah 41:2; 42:6; 49:8; 55:3-4)—may they gain deliverance. Although Jehovah’s mouth—his servant (Isaiah 49:2; 51:16; 62:1-2)—declares the only possible way they may be saved, Jehovah forces no one’s allegiance.
Humanity’s two choices—to be saved or damned—are effectively realized in Jehovah’s Day of Judgment on a wicked world. Persons who don’t give Jehovah their allegiance when offered the chance may decide to do so when they face the shame of repudiating him. Those of Jacob/Israel who renew their covenant with Jehovah and keep its terms, on the other hand, are “vindicated” or “justified” in their choice and “have cause to boast.” To them, his “vindication” or righteousness (sedaqot)—his servant—is a saving power (Isaiah 46:11-13; 53:11; 54:17), a manifestation of Jehovah’s “might” (‘oz).