I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, said the LORD of hosts.
raised him
Isaiah 45:1-6 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 41:2,25 Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow…
Isaiah 46:11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
in righteousness
Isaiah 42:6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
Psalm 65:5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:
direct.
Isaiah 45:1,2 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; …
he shall build
Isaiah 44:28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
Isaiah 52:5 Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.
2 Chronicles 36:22,23 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, …
let go
Isaiah 49:25 But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
Isaiah 52:2,3 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion…
Romans 3:24-26 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: …
price
Isaiah 13:17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.
and I will make all his ways straight
This phrase indicates divine intervention in Cyrus's conquests and governance, ensuring success and smooth paths. Biblically, "making ways straight" often symbolizes removing obstacles and providing guidance, as seen in Isaiah 40:3. God's providence in Cyrus's victories, such as the fall of Babylon, demonstrates His power to direct history according to His will.
He will rebuild My city
Cyrus's decree to rebuild Jerusalem, recorded in Ezra 1:1-4, fulfills this prophecy. The rebuilding of Jerusalem is significant for the Jewish people, marking the end of the Babylonian exile and the restoration of their homeland. This act also prefigures the ultimate restoration and renewal found in Christ, who rebuilds the spiritual city of God, the Church.
and set My exiles free
Cyrus's edict allowed the Jewish exiles to return to their land, a pivotal moment in Jewish history. This liberation is a type of the greater deliverance found in Jesus Christ, who frees humanity from the bondage of sin. The return from exile is a recurring theme in Scripture, symbolizing redemption and restoration.
but not for payment or reward
Cyrus's actions were not motivated by financial gain or personal reward, reflecting the selfless nature of God's deliverance. This aspect of the prophecy highlights God's grace, as the liberation of His people is an act of divine mercy rather than human merit. It parallels the salvation offered through Christ, which is given freely and not earned by works.
says the LORD of Hosts
The title "LORD of Hosts" emphasizes God's supreme authority over all heavenly and earthly armies. It reassures the faithful of His power to fulfill His promises. This declaration affirms that the prophecy is not merely a human prediction but a divine decree, underscoring the certainty and reliability of God's word.
God Himself declares, “I will raise up Cyrus in righteousness,” identifying the Persian king as His chosen instrument.
• This is history foretold nearly two centuries before Cyrus’s birth, underlining the Lord’s sovereignty and omniscience (Isaiah 44:28; 2 Chronicles 36:22–23).
• “In righteousness” points to God’s just purpose, not to Cyrus’s personal piety. The Lord uses even a pagan ruler to carry out a righteous plan, just as He once moved Pharaoh to display His power (Romans 9:17).
• The prophecy reminds us that every authority is ultimately established by God (Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 2:21; Romans 13:1).
The Lord promises to “make all his ways straight,” clearing the obstacles that might hinder Cyrus.
• Straight paths picture divine enablement—victories over Babylon, alliances secured, and a stable empire (Isaiah 45:1–3).
• God’s direct intervention parallels how He “went before” Israel in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 1:30–33).
• For believers, it illustrates Proverbs 3:5–6: when God directs, the way is made straight.
“He will rebuild My city” points to Jerusalem’s physical restoration after decades of desolation.
• Cyrus’s edict in 538 BC fulfilled this literally: “The LORD, the God of heaven…has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem” (Ezra 1:2–4).
• The rebuilt temple and walls (Nehemiah 2:17–20) reaffirmed Israel’s identity and worship.
• God’s faithfulness in bricks and mortar encourages trust in His promises of future renewal (Revelation 21:2).
The same king “will…set My exiles free.”
• Roughly 50,000 Jews returned under Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:1–2, 64–65) just as Jeremiah had prophesied a seventy-year captivity (Jeremiah 29:10).
• Liberation wasn’t a mere political favor; it was a covenant mercy echoing the Exodus (Exodus 6:6; Isaiah 52:11–12).
• Today, Christ’s greater deliverance frees believers from sin’s captivity (John 8:36; Colossians 1:13).
Cyrus would act “not for payment or reward.”
• Unlike mercenary campaigns, his decree flowed from divine compulsion (Ezra 1:1: “The LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus”).
• God alone gets the glory; human motives or bribes played no part (Isaiah 42:8).
• This echoes salvation by grace: our redemption is “without money and without cost” (Isaiah 55:1; Ephesians 2:8–9).
Isaiah 45:13 unveils God’s meticulous plan: He would sovereignly raise a pagan ruler, level his path, rebuild Jerusalem, and release His people—all without earthly payment—so His righteousness and faithfulness would shine. The fulfilled prophecy assures us that every promise in Scripture, from historical restoration to eternal redemption in Christ, will likewise stand firm.
(13) I have raised him up in righteousness . . .--This was the answer to the murmurers. It would be seen by the results, the city rebuilt, the exiles restored to their home, that the conquests of Cyrus had been ordered by the loving righteousness of Jehovah; and he would do this, not through the greed and ambition of other conquerors, but because the spirit of the Lord stirred him (2Chronicles 36:22).Verse 13. - I have raised him up. "Him" can only be referred to Cyrus, the one individual mentioned previously in the chapter (vers. 1-5). The expression," raised up," had been already used of him (Isaiah 41:25). In righteousness means "to carry out my righteous purposes." I will direct; rather, as in the margin, make straight. He... shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward. Captives were often "redeemed for a price" (Nehemiah 6:8). In Greece a fixed sum was established by general consent as the ransom of a captive (Aristot., 'Eth. Nic.,' 5:6). Cyrus, however, in letting the Jews go free, would not be actuated by the paltry motive of pecuniary profit. He may, as Mr. Cheyne remarks, have been actuated in part "by a consideration of the usefulness of such a faithful advanced guard at the border of Egypt;" but mainly it is probable that "he obeyed the dictates of religious sympathy with the Jews." The recent contention, that he was not a Zoroastrian (Sayce, Academy, October 16, 1880; 'Ancient Empires,' p. 439; Cheyne, 'Isaiah,' vol. 2. p. 279) rests upon insufficient evidence, his so-called inscription being a document not put forth by himself, but by the priests of Merodach at Babylon; and the first introduction of Zoroastrian monotheism into the state religion of Persia by Darius Hystaspis (Sayce, 'Ancient Empires,' p. 440) being expressly disclaimed by him in the Be-histun inscription, where he declares his reformation to have consisted in the rebuilding of the temples which Gomates the Magian had destroyed, and the reinstitutier for the state of the religious chants and the worship which he had put down (col 1. par. 14).