Book of Isaiah: Blessings for Cyrus (ca. 550 B.C.E.)

The Hebrews had been exiles in Babylon since King Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem in 586 B.C.E. After Cyrus and his Persian troops conquered Babylon, Cyrus allowed the Hebrews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the temple to their God. In the Hebrew Bible, he is included as one who did the work of their God, knowingly or not.

This is what the Lord says to his anointed,

to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of

to subdue nations before him

and to strip kings of their armor,

to open doors before him

so that gates will not be shut:

“I will go before you

and will level the mountains;

I will break down gates of bronze

and cut through bars of iron.

I will give you the treasures of darkness,

riches stored in secret places,

so that you may know that I am the Lord,

the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

For the sake of Jacob1 my servant,

of Israel my chosen,

I summon you by name

and bestow on you a title of honor,

though you do not acknowledge me. . . .

I am the Lord, and there is no other;

apart from me there is no God.

I will strengthen you,

though you have not acknowledged me,

so that from the rising of the sun

to the place of its setting

men may know there is none besides me.

I am the Lord and there is no other.

I form the light and create darkness,

I bring prosperity and create disaster;

I, the Lord, do all these things.

You heavens above, rain down righteousness;

let the clouds shower it down.

Let the earth open wide,

let salvation spring up,

let righteousness grow with it;

I, the Lord, have created it . . .

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.”

This is what the LORD says:

“The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush,2

and those tall Sabeans3 —

they will come over to you

and will be yours;

they will trudge behind you,

coming over to you in chains.

They will bow down before you

and plead with you, saying,

‘Surely God is with you, and there is no other;

there is no other god.’ ”

From Isaiah 45:1–8; 13–14.