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Isaiah 45:5

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 45:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I am Jehovah, and there is none else; besides me there is no God. I will gird thee, though thou hast not known me;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I am Jehovah, and there is none else; besides me there is no God. I will gird thee, though thou hast not known me;
Isaiah 45:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 45

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2I will go before thee, and make the rough places smooth; I will break in pieces the doors of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron;
3and 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.
4For 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.
5I am Jehovah, and there is none else; besides me there is no God. I will gird thee, though thou hast not known me;
6that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides me: I am Jehovah, and there is none else.
7I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil. I am Jehovah, that doeth all these things.
8Distil, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, that it may bring forth salvation, and let it cause righteousness to spring up together; I, Jehovah, have created it.
← Isaiah 45:4Isaiah 45:6 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I am the Lord, and there is none else, &c.] Whom thou, O Cyrus, for the words are directed to him, ought to own, serve, and worship: there is no God besides me; in heaven or earth, in any of the countries conquered by thee, and thou rulest over; for though there were gods and lords many, so called, these were only nominal fictitious deities; not gods by nature, as he was; of which the following, as well as what is before said, is a proof: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me; the Lord girded him with a royal girdle, a symbol of kingly power; he made him king over many nations; he girded him with strength, courage, and valour for war; and made him so expeditious, successful, and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Isa 42:8; Isa 43:3, Isa 43:11; Isa 44:8; Isa 46:9). girded thee--whereas "I will loose (the girdle off) the loins of kings" (Isa 45:1), strengthening thee, but enfeebling them before thee. though . . . not known me-- (Isa 45:4). God knows His elect before they are made to know Him (Gal 4:9; Joh 15:16).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I am the Lord ... - (see the notes at Isaiah 42:8; Isaiah 43:2; Isaiah 44:8; Isaiah 45:14, Isaiah 45:18, Isaiah 45:22). I girded thee ... - (see the note at Isaiah 45:1). The sense is, I girded thee with the girdle - the military belt; I prepared thee, and strengthened thee for war and conquest. Even people who are strangers to the true God are sustained by him, and are unable to accomplish anything without his providential aid. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I girded - I made thee strong and active, and disposed thee for these great and warlike enterprizes. Isaiah 45:6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the Lord: Isa 45:14-18, Isa 45:21, Isa 45:22, Isa 44:8, Isa 46:9; Deu 4:35, Deu 4:39, Deu 32:39; Kg1 8:60; Joe 2:27; Joh 1:1; Heb 1:8, Heb 1:9 I girded thee: Isa 22:21; Ezr 1:2; Job 12:18, Job 12:21; Psa 18:32, Psa 18:39 Isaiah 45:6”
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Related study paths

Read Isaiah 45 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification