What does Isaias Chapter 45 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

The passage retains its particular declarations, images and conditions. Edition interpretations remain identified separately from the chapter’s speech. Historical additions and universal practical guarantees are not treated as source facts.

Chapter breakdown

Isaias 45 addresses anointed Cyrus, whose right hand the Lord takes to subdue nations, turn kings' backs and open doors and gates. Going before him, the Lord humbles great ones, breaks brass gates and iron bars and gives hidden treasures so Cyrus knows who calls him. This is for chosen Jacob although Cyrus has not known him; the text says a likeness has been made, not a surname assigned. East and west are to know the Lord alone forms light and darkness, peace and evil. The edition explains evil as afflictions and punishments rather than sin.

Heaven is called to drop dew and clouds to rain the just, while earth buds a saviour and justice. Woe addresses the sherd disputing its maker and those questioning father and woman about bringing forth. The Holy One calls for asking about future things and giving charge concerning his children and work. The creator raises one in justice to build his city and release captives without ransom or presents. Egypt's labor, Ethiopian merchandise and men of stature from Sabaim come in manacles, worship and confess God; voluntary surrender and warrior roles are not added.

The hidden God is confessed, error makers are ashamed and Israel receives eternal salvation. Earth was formed for habitation, and speech was not in secret or a dark place, nor was Jacob told to seek in vain. Gentile survivors assemble; wooden images cannot save. A challenge concerning ancient prediction precedes the invitation to all earth's ends to convert and be saved. A self-sworn word of justice announces bowed knees and swearing tongues, justice and empire in the Lord, shame for resistors and justification and praise for Israel's seed. Occultists in caverns and a fully narrated historical fulfillment are not supplied.

The story inside

Opening: The passage retains its particular declarations, images and conditions. Development: Edition interpretations remain identified separately from the chapter’s speech. Conclusion: Historical additions and universal practical guarantees are not treated as source facts.

Lessons worth keeping

1
The passage retains its particular declarations, images and conditions.
2
Edition interpretations remain identified separately from the chapter’s speech.
3
Historical additions and universal practical guarantees are not treated as source facts.

Test your recall

Which images and requests does the speaker use, and what does the chapter leave unresolved?

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

Lines 82320–82331
45:1. Thus saith the Lord to my anointed Cyrus, whose right hand I have taken hold of, to subdue nations before his face, and to turn the backs of kings, and to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut. 45:2. I will go before thee, and will humble the great ones of the earth: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and will burst the bars of iron. 45:3. And I will give thee hidden treasures, and the concealed riches of secret places: that thou mayest know that I am the Lord who call thee by thy name, the God of Israel.
Lines 82344–82348
45:7. I form the light, and create darkness, I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord that do all these things. Create evil, etc.... The evils of afflictions and punishments, but not the evil of sin.
Lines 82404–82411
45:22. Be converted to me, and you shall be saved, all ye ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is no other. 45:23. I have sworn by myself, the word of justice shall go out of my mouth, and shall not return: 45:24. For every knee shall be bowed to me, and every tongue shall swear.