Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

ISAIAH 45:1KJV
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Isaiah 45:1 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 45:1 mean?

Isaiah 45:1 says that the LORD is speaking to Cyrus, calling him “his anointed,” and promising to help him conquer nations, weaken kings, and open gates that cannot be shut against him. This verse shows God choosing a foreign ruler, Cyrus, and giving him power to fulfill God’s purposes.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah records God’s words about Cyrus, the king of Persia, long before Cyrus was born. God says He has “holden” Cyrus’s right hand, meaning God is guiding and strengthening him. The verse describes how God will make it possible for Cyrus to succeed, even to the point of opening locked gates before him, which refers to the capture of cities.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 45:1

  • “anointed” (מָשִׁיחַ, mashiach): This word usually refers to someone set apart by God, often a king or priest in Israel, but here it is used for Cyrus, a non-Israelite. This shows that God can use anyone for His plans.
  • “holden” (חָזַק, chazaq): This word means to strengthen or grasp firmly. God is not just passively allowing Cyrus’s success; He is actively supporting and empowering him.
  • “loose” (פָּתַח, patach): This word means to open or release. When God says He will “loose the loins of kings,” it often means making them weak or fearful, unable to resist Cyrus.
  • “gates” (דֶּלֶת, delet and שַׁעַר, sha’ar): Two different Hebrew words for gates are used, emphasizing that no barrier—whether doors or city gates—will stop Cyrus when God is helping him.

Why Isaiah 45:1 matters

  • Isaiah 45:1 is striking because it calls a foreign king, Cyrus, “anointed,” a title usually reserved for Israel’s own leaders, showing that God’s authority extends beyond Israel.
  • This verse sets up the theme that God is in control of history, using even those outside Israel to accomplish His plans, especially the return of the Jewish people from exile.
  • The detail about opening gates before Cyrus connects to historical accounts of how Cyrus entered Babylon with little resistance, showing the prophecy’s accuracy and God’s involvement in world events.

Where else these words appear

“subdue” Hebrew H7286 · used in 4 verses

  • Judges 19:11 And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it.
  • 1 Kings 6:32 The two doors also were of olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims, and upon the palm trees.
  • Psalms 144:2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

“Cyrus” Hebrew H3566 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 36:22 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
  • Ezra 1:7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
  • Ezra 4:5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

“anointed” Hebrew H4899 · used in 38 verses

  • Leviticus 4:3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.
  • 1 Samuel 26:11 The LORD forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
  • Psalms 18:50 Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

“loins” Hebrew H4975 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 37:34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
  • Nehemiah 4:18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
  • Jeremiah 48:37 For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.