Isaiah 44:28

“That saith of Cyrus, he is my shepherd, &c.] Or Coresh, as his name in the Hebrew language is; and in the Persian tongue signifies the “sun”; from whence he had his name, as Ctesiasf866 and Plutarchf867 say; to which the Hebrew word “cheres”, which signifies the “sun”, has some affinity; though Joseph Scaligerf868 would have the name of Cyrus to signify “food” in the Persian language, and which answers to his character as a shepherd. The father of this illustrious person was Cambyses, king of Persia; his mother’s name was Mandane, daughter of Astyages, king of Mediaf869. This prophecy, concerning him, was nearly two hundred years before he was born. Josephus saysf870, that Cyrus read this…”

“my shepherd--type of Messiah (Isa 40:11; Psa 23:1; Psa 77:20; Eze 34:23). all my pleasure--so Messiah (Isa 42:1; Isa 53:10). This is the first time Cyrus is named expressly; and that, a hundred fifty years before the time when in 550 B.C. he began his reign. The name comes from the Persian khorschid, "the sun"; kings often taking their names from the gods; the sun was worshipped as a god in Persia. saying--rather, "and that saith"; construed with God, not with Cyrus. God's word is instantaneously efficient in accomplishing His will. to . . . to--or, "of Jerusalem . . . of the temple," as previously, the same Hebrew word is translated, "of Cyrus" [BARNES]. English Version is more graphic.…”

“That saith of Cyrus - This is the first time in which Cyrus is expressly named by Isaiah, though he is often referred to. He is mentioned by him only in one other place expressly by name Isaiah 45:1. He is several times mentioned elsewhere in the Old Testament 2 Chronicles 26:22-23; Ezra 1:1-2, Ezra 1:7; Ezra 3:7; Ezra 4:3; Ezra 5:13, Ezra 5:17; Daniel 1:21; Daniel 6:28; Daniel 10:1. He began his reign about 550 b.c., and this prophecy was therefore delivered not far from a hundred and fifty years before he ascended the throne. None but God himself, or he whom God inspired, could have mentioned so long before, the name of him who should deliver the Jewish people from bondage; and if this was…”

“Cyrus - Whom God here mentions by his proper name, two hundred years before he was born, that this might be an undeniable evidence of the exactness of God's fore - knowledge, and a convincing argument to conclude this dispute between God and idols. Shepherd - Then will I set up to be the shepherd of my people, to rescue them from wolves or tyrants, to gather them together, to rule them gently, and to provide comfortably for them. Next: Isaiah Chapter 45”

“44:28 He is my shepherd: Cyrus went beyond simply permitting the Jews to return to their homeland. He facilitated a major restoration project to rebuild Jerusalem and restore the Temple (see 45:13; Ezra 1:2-4; 6:3-5).”

“Cyrus: Isa 42:15, Isa 45:1, Isa 45:3, Isa 46:11, Isa 48:14, Isa 48:15; Dan 10:1 my shepherd: Isa 63:11; Psa 78:71, Psa 78:72 saying: Isa 45:13; Ch2 36:22, Ch2 36:23; Ezr 1:1-3, 6:3-18 Next: Isaiah Chapter 45”