Isaiah 41:2

1 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.

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.

3 He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet.

4 Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Who has aroused one from the east and called him to his feet in righteousness ? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.
KJV
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.
WEB
Who has raised up one from the east? Who called him to his feet in righteousness? He hands over nations to him and makes him rule over kings. He gives them like the dust to his sword, like the driven stubble to his bow.
ASV
Who hath raised up one from the east, whom he calleth in righteousness to his foot? he giveth nations before him, and maketh him rule over kings; he giveth them as the dust to his sword, as the driven stubble to his bow.
DARBY
Who raised up from the east him whom righteousness calleth to its foot? He gave the nations before him, and caused him to have dominion over kings; he gave them as dust to his sword, as driven stubble to his bow.
BLB
Who has roused one from the east? Righteousness calls him at His feet; He gives the nations before his face, and he subdues kings; he makes [them] like dust with his sword, driven away as stubble [by] his bow.
ÅB
Hvem vakte fra Østen ham[^1] som seieren møter hvor han setter sin fot? Han gir folkeslag i hans vold og lar ham herske over konger, gjør deres sverd til støv, deres bue til strå som føres bort av vinden.
OTB
Hvem har vekket opp en fra øst, som Han kaller i rettferdighet til sin tjeneste? Han overgir folkeslag til ham og underlegger seg konger. Han gjør dem som støv med sitt sverd, som vindblåst agner med sin bue.
B1930
Hvem vakte fra Østen ham som seieren møter hvor han setter sin fot? Han gir folkeslag i hans vold og lar ham herske over konger, gjør deres sverd til støv, deres bue til strå som føres bort av vinden. / < Kyros; JES 45, 1.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 45:1

    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;

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 22:43

    Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.

    Read in context
  • 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.

    Read in context
  • 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.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 40:24

    Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 41:25

    I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.

    Read in context
  • 2 Chronicles 36:23

    Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 45:13

    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, saith the LORD of hosts.

    Read in context