Isaiah 45:4

For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

For Jacob {H3290} my servant's {H5650} sake, and Israel {H3478} mine elect {H972}, I have even called {H7121} thee by thy name {H8034}: I have surnamed {H3655} thee, though thou hast not known {H3045} me.

It is for the sake of Ya'akov my servant, yes, for Isra'el my elect, that I call you by your name and give you a title, although you don't know me.

For the sake of Jacob My servant and Israel My chosen one, I call you by name; I have given you a title of honor, though you have not known Me.

For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel my chosen, I have called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

Commentary

Commentary on Isaiah 45:4

Isaiah 45:4 reveals a profound aspect of God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. In this verse, God declares His specific actions toward Cyrus, the pagan king of Persia, explaining that these actions are undertaken "For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect." God asserts that He has "called thee by thy name" and "surnamed thee," even though Cyrus did not know Him. This highlights God's ability to orchestrate history and use any individual, regardless of their faith or awareness of Him, to accomplish His divine purposes for His chosen nation.

Context of Isaiah 45:4

This verse is part of a larger prophetic section in Isaiah (chapters 40-48) where God declares His uniqueness as the only true God, contrasting Himself with the impotent idols of Babylon. Specifically, Isaiah 45 focuses on God's pre-ordained plan for Cyrus the Great, the Persian king who would conquer Babylon and allow the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple (as recorded in Ezra 1:2-4). The prophecies concerning Cyrus were given more than a century before his birth, demonstrating God's foreknowledge and control over world events. God's declaration that He called Cyrus by name and surnamed him before Cyrus even knew Him underscores that this pagan king was an unwitting instrument in God's hands for the deliverance of Israel from Babylonian captivity.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty: The verse powerfully illustrates God's absolute control over all of creation, including nations, rulers, and historical events. He raises up and brings down kings according to His will, even those who do not acknowledge Him.
  • God's Faithfulness to Israel: God's actions concerning Cyrus are explicitly stated to be "for Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect." This emphasizes God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant with His people, promising their restoration and protection despite their disobedience and exile. This echoes God's promises to Jacob (Israel) in Genesis.
  • Unknowing Instruments: A remarkable aspect is that God uses Cyrus, a ruler who "hast not known me." This reveals that God's plans are not contingent on human recognition or cooperation. He can work through anyone to achieve His purposes, demonstrating His power and independence.
  • Divine Calling and Purpose: God's declaration, "I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee," signifies a specific, personal, and authoritative appointment. God designated Cyrus for a particular task long before he was born, highlighting God's meticulous planning for the future.

Linguistic Insights

The phrases "called thee by thy name" and "surnamed thee" carry significant weight. In ancient Near Eastern culture, to name someone or give them a surname implied authority, ownership, and destiny. For God to declare that He had done this for Cyrus before Cyrus knew Him underscores God's supreme authority and pre-emptive control over this powerful king's life and actions. It's an assertion of divine prerogative, signifying a specific, personal, and purposeful designation by the Almighty, rather than a mere casual reference.

Practical Application

Isaiah 45:4 offers immense comfort and reassurance for believers today. It reminds us that God is actively involved in history and that His purposes will prevail, even when circumstances seem chaotic or when ungodly leaders are in power. We can trust that God is working all things together for His ultimate good and for the benefit of His people (Romans 8:28). This verse encourages us to look beyond immediate political or social landscapes and to place our ultimate hope in the sovereign God who knows every individual by name and uses all things to advance His eternal plan.

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 41:8 (5 votes)

    But thou, Israel, [art] my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

  • Isaiah 41:9 (5 votes)

    [Thou] whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou [art] my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.

  • Acts 17:23 (3 votes)

    For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

  • Romans 11:7 (3 votes)

    What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

  • Exodus 19:5 (3 votes)

    Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:

  • Exodus 19:6 (3 votes)

    And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

  • Isaiah 44:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: