Isaiah 45:3

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call [thee] by thy name, [am] the God of Israel.

And I will give {H5414} thee the treasures {H214} of darkness {H2822}, and hidden riches {H4301} of secret places {H4565}, that thou mayest know {H3045} that I, the LORD {H3068}, which call {H7121} thee by thy name {H8034}, am the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}.

I will give you treasures hoarded in the dark, secret riches hidden away, so that you will know that I, ADONAI, calling you by your name, am the God of Isra'el.

I will give you the treasures of darkness and the riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.

and I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that it is I, Jehovah, who call thee by thy name, even the God of Israel.

Commentary

Isaiah 45:3 is a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty and His ability to use any means to achieve His divine purposes, ultimately for His glory and for humanity to know Him. The verse speaks directly to an individual, promising extraordinary provision and revelation.

Context

This verse is part of a prophetic passage in Isaiah (chapters 44-45) where the prophet Isaiah, writing centuries before the event, explicitly names Cyrus, the future king of Persia, as God's chosen instrument. God declares that He will raise up Cyrus, though he is not a believer in the God of Israel, to conquer nations and release the Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity. Verse 3 specifically details the abundant provision God will grant Cyrus to facilitate his conquests and, by extension, God's plan for His people. This prophecy highlights God's unparalleled control over world events and leaders, even those who do not acknowledge Him.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Control: God asserts His absolute authority over all nations and their rulers. He prepares the way for Cyrus, "loosening the loins of kings" and directing their paths, even before they know Him.
  • Unexpected and Abundant Provision: The phrase "treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places" refers to vast wealth obtained from conquered territories. This signifies God's ability to provide from unexpected, concealed, or even hostile sources to accomplish His will. It underscores that all resources ultimately belong to Him.
  • Revelation of God's Identity: The ultimate purpose of God's actions and provision is not merely material gain, but that Cyrus, and through him the world, would "know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel." God's power is demonstrated so His unique identity as the one true God, the God of Israel, is revealed.

Linguistic Insights

  • "the LORD" (KJV): This capitalization indicates the Hebrew name YHWH (Yahweh), God's covenant name. It emphasizes His self-existence, His faithfulness, and His personal relationship with His people.
  • "treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places": The Hebrew phrase for "treasures of darkness" is 'otsarot choshekh. This imagery suggests wealth that is deeply concealed, perhaps in secure vaults or even buried, indicating that God knows where all wealth is and can bring it to light.
  • "which call thee by thy name": The Hebrew 'eqra'kha bishmecha signifies a deep, personal knowledge and divine appointment. Even though Cyrus did not know God, God knew him intimately and had chosen him for a specific task. This concept is echoed in other passages where God demonstrates His intimate knowledge of individuals.

Practical Application

Isaiah 45:3 offers profound encouragement and insight for believers today:

  1. God is in Control: This verse reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even those that seem chaotic or beyond human control. He uses both willing and unwitting instruments to fulfill His purposes.
  2. Divine Provision in Unexpected Ways: Just as God provided hidden wealth to Cyrus, He can provide for His people from unforeseen sources or through unconventional means. We are encouraged to trust in His ability to meet our needs, even in "dark" or difficult times.
  3. The Ultimate Purpose is Knowing God: The primary reason for God's actions is not just to provide for us or to achieve a specific outcome, but that we might know Him more deeply. Every blessing, every challenge, every answered prayer is an opportunity for God to reveal more of His character, power, and faithfulness. Our greatest pursuit should be to know the LORD.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 43:1

    ¶ But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine.

  • Isaiah 48:15

    I, [even] I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.

  • Exodus 33:12

    ¶ And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.

  • Ezra 1:2

    Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which [is] in Judah.

  • Exodus 33:17

    And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.

  • Isaiah 49:1

    ¶ Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

  • Jeremiah 51:53

    Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, [yet] from me shall spoilers come unto her, saith the LORD.
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