Isaiah 41:2

The righteous man from the East

The righteous man from the East

The question, whose appearance is predicted, has been always a subject of dispute.

Eusebius, Theodoret, and Procopius understand it as describing the triumphs of the true religion, or the Gospel, here called “righteousness.” Cyril and Jerome apply it to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, as the Righteous One, or the Lord our Righteousness. Cocceius stands alone in his application of the verso to the apostle Paul. The Jews make Abraham the subject of the passage, excepting Aben Ezra, who, with Vitringa and all the latest writers, understands it as a prophecy of Cyrus. The inappropriateness of the terms employed to our Saviour or the Gospel, to Abraham or Paul, is almost self-evident, and equally clear is its appropriateness to the case of Cyrus. The argument in favour of the latter application, drawn from the analogy of Isaiah 45:1; Isaiah 46:11, is less conclusive, because he is there expresslynamed. The truth appears to be that this is a more general intimation of a great eventful movement from the East, which is afterwards repeated with specific reference to Cyrus and his conquests. It might even be supposed without absurdity that there is here an allusion to the general progress of the human race, of conquest, civilisation, and religion from the East to the West. Umbreit supposes a specific reference to the course of the sun, from which the name of Cyrus was derived. (J. A. Alexander.)

Cyrus raised up by God

“Stirred up” the sense is “impelled into activity.” (Prof. S. R. Driver, D. D.)

Cyrus from the East, yet from the North

“From the East”; Cyrus’ home, Susiania being to the east of Babylonia. “From the North” (Isaiah 41:25), alludes to the “Medes, who united with the Persians under Cyrus, and whose home was to the north or north-east of Babylonia. (Prof. S. R. Driver, D. D.)

Cyrus called in righteousness

(see R.V.):--Cyrus’ career being a furtherance of God’s righteous purpose for the government of the world. (Prof. S. R. Driver, D. D.)

Cyrus called to God’s foot

To call to one’s foot is a Hebrew idiom for calling to one’s service, or summoning to take a place among one’s followers. (J. A. Alexander.)