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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Isaiah 45:2 "I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/isaiah/45-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/23_Isa_45_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Isaiah 45:2 - God Calls Cyrus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/isaiah/45-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/isaiah/45-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/isaiah/">Isaiah</a> > <a href="/isaiah/45.htm">Chapter 45</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm" title="Isaiah 45:1">◄</a> Isaiah 45:2 <a href="/isaiah/45-3.htm" title="Isaiah 45:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/isaiah/45.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/isaiah/45.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/isaiah/45.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/isaiah/45.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/45.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/isaiah/45.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/isaiah/45.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />‘I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/isaiah/45.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/isaiah/45.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/isaiah/45.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze, and cut through their iron bars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/isaiah/45.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/isaiah/45.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“I will go before you and level the mountains; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/isaiah/45.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I will go before you and level the uneven places; I will shatter the bronze doors and cut the iron bars in two.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/isaiah/45.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will go before you and level the uneven places; I will shatter the bronze doors and cut the iron bars in two. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/isaiah/45.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I 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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/isaiah/45.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />As I lead you, I will level mountains and break the iron bars on bronze gates of cities. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/isaiah/45.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I will go before thee, and make the rugged places plain: I will break in pieces the doors of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/isaiah/45.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I will go ahead of you, Cyrus, and smooth out the rough places. I will break down the bronze doors and cut through the iron bars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/isaiah/45.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"I myself will prepare your way, leveling mountains and hills. I will break down bronze gates and smash their iron bars. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/isaiah/45.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br /> "I myself will go before you, and he will make the mountains level; I'll shatter bronze doors and cut through iron bars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/isaiah/45.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/isaiah/45.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"I will go before you and level mountains. Bronze doors I will shatter and iron bars I will hack through. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/isaiah/45.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"I will go before you, and make the mountains level. I will break the doors of bronze in pieces, and cut apart the bars of iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/isaiah/45.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut asunder the bars of iron:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/isaiah/45.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“I will go before you and make the rough places smooth. I will break the doors of bronze in pieces and cut apart the bars of iron. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/isaiah/45.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“I go before you, and make crooked places straight, "" I shatter doors of bronze, "" And I cut bars of iron apart,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/isaiah/45.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'I go before thee, and crooked places make straight, Two-leaved doors of brass I shiver, And bars of iron I cut asunder,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/isaiah/45.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />I will go before thee, and I will make straight the circles: I will break in pieces the doors of brass, and I will cut down the bars of iron:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/isaiah/45.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I will go before thee, and will humble the great ones of the earth: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and will burst the bars of iron. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/isaiah/45.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />I will go before you. And I will humble the glorious ones of the earth. I will shatter the gates of brass, and I will break apart the bars of iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/isaiah/45.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I will go before you and level the mountains; Bronze doors I will shatter, iron bars I will snap. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/isaiah/45.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I will go before you and level the mountains, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/isaiah/45.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I will go before you, and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of brass and cut asunder the bars of iron;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/isaiah/45.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />"I shall go before you and I shall smooth the rugged places. I shall break the gates of brass and I shall cut down the bars of iron<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/isaiah/45.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I will go before thee, And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the doors of brass, And cut in sunder the bars of iron;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/isaiah/45.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I will go before thee, and will level mountains: I will break to pieces brazen doors, and burst iron bars.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/isaiah/45-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xv9bHT-nr9s?start=10021" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/isaiah/45.htm">God Calls Cyrus</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut: <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">“I</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: ’ê·lêḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">will go</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā (Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 2ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before you</a> <a href="/hebrew/3474.htm" title="3474: ʾō·šir (V-Piel-Imperf-1cs) -- To be smooth, straight, or right. A primitive root; to be straight or even; figuratively, to be right, pleasant, prosperous.">and level</a> <a href="/hebrew/1921.htm" title="1921: wa·hă·ḏū·rîm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-mp) -- To honor, adorn, perhaps to swell. A primitive root; to swell up; by implication, to favor or honour, be high or proud.">the mountains;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7665.htm" title="7665: ’ă·šab·bêr (V-Piel-Imperf-1cs) -- To break, break in pieces. A primitive root; to burst.">I will break down</a> <a href="/hebrew/1817.htm" title="1817: dal·ṯō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- A door. From dalah; something swinging, i.e. The valve of a door.">the gates</a> <a href="/hebrew/5154.htm" title="5154: nə·ḥū·šāh (N-fs) -- Copper, bronze. Or nchushah; feminine of nachuwsh; copper.">of bronze</a> <a href="/hebrew/1438.htm" title="1438: ’ă·ḡad·dê·a‘ (V-Piel-Imperf-1cs) -- To hew, hew down or off. A primitive root; to fell a tree; generally, to destroy anything.">and cut through</a> <a href="/hebrew/1280.htm" title="1280: ū·ḇə·rî·ḥê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- A bar. From barach; a bolt.">the bars</a> <a href="/hebrew/1270.htm" title="1270: ḇar·zel (N-ms) -- Iron. Perhaps from the root of Birzowth; iron; by extension, an iron implement.">of iron.</a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>I will give you the treasures of darkness and the riches hidden in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-20.htm">Exodus 23:20-23</a></span><br />Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. / Pay attention to him and listen to his voice; do not defy him, for he will not forgive rebellion, since My Name is in him. / But if you will listen carefully to his voice and do everything I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-16.htm">Psalm 107:16</a></span><br />For He has broken down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-4.htm">Isaiah 40:4</a></span><br />Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm">Isaiah 42:16</a></span><br />I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not forsake them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/49-11.htm">Isaiah 49:11</a></span><br />I will turn all My mountains into roads, and My highways will be raised up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/52-12.htm">Isaiah 52:12</a></span><br />For you will not leave in a hurry nor flee in haste, for the LORD goes before you, and the God of Israel is your rear guard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-14.htm">Isaiah 57:14</a></span><br />And it will be said, “Build it up, build it up, prepare the way, take every obstacle out of the way of My people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-20.htm">Jeremiah 51:20-23</a></span><br />“You are My war club, My weapon for battle. With you I shatter nations; with you I bring kingdoms to ruin. / With you I shatter the horse and rider; with you I shatter the chariot and driver. / With you I shatter man and woman; with you I shatter the old man and the youth; with you I shatter the young man and the maiden. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/2-13.htm">Micah 2:13</a></span><br />One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate, and go out by it. Their King will pass through before them, the LORD as their leader.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/4-7.htm">Zechariah 4:7</a></span><br />What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. Then he will bring forth the capstone accompanied by shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-3.htm">Matthew 3:3</a></span><br />This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-4.htm">Luke 3:4-6</a></span><br />as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him. / Every valley shall be filled in, and every mountain and hill made low. The crooked ways shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth. / And all humanity will see God’s salvation.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/12-10.htm">Acts 12:10</a></span><br />They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city, which opened for them by itself. When they had gone outside and walked the length of one block, the angel suddenly left him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-26.htm">Acts 16:26</a></span><br />Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open and everyone’s chains came loose.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a></span><br />What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I will go before you, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:</p><p class="hdg">go before</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/13-4.htm">Isaiah 13:4-17</a></b></br> The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle… </p><p class="hdg">make</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/40-4.htm">Isaiah 40:4</a></b></br> Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm">Isaiah 42:16</a></b></br> And I will bring the blind by a way <i>that</i> they knew not; I will lead them in paths <i>that</i> they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/1-15.htm">Acts 1:15</a></b></br> And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)</p><p class="hdg">break</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/107-16.htm">Psalm 107:16</a></b></br> For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/isaiah/44-6.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Asunder</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-14.htm">Bars</a> <a href="/psalms/150-5.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-13.htm">Brazen</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-23.htm">Break</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-3.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/psalms/107-16.htm">Bronze</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm">Crooked</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-14.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Doors</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-1.htm">Elevated</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Gates</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-12.htm">Iron</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm">Level</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-23.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-14.htm">Pieces</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-26.htm">Places</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/songs/5-14.htm">Rods</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm">Rough</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-31.htm">Shatter</a> <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Shiver</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-7.htm">Smooth</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-16.htm">Straight</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-9.htm">Sunder</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Two-Leaved</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/45-5.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-23.htm">Asunder</a> <a href="/jeremiah/27-2.htm">Bars</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-4.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/jeremiah/1-18.htm">Brazen</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-13.htm">Break</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-15.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-4.htm">Bronze</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-8.htm">Crooked</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-9.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-12.htm">Doors</a> <a href="/daniel/5-19.htm">Elevated</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-12.htm">Gates</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-4.htm">Iron</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-13.htm">Level</a> <a href="/isaiah/49-11.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-9.htm">Pieces</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-3.htm">Places</a> <a href="/isaiah/63-13.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-11.htm">Rods</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-27.htm">Rough</a> <a href="/jeremiah/43-13.htm">Shatter</a> <a href="/exodus/34-13.htm">Shiver</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-13.htm">Smooth</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-13.htm">Straight</a> <a href="/nahum/1-13.htm">Sunder</a> <a href="/jeremiah/49-31.htm">Two-Leaved</a><div class="vheading2">Isaiah 45</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">God calls Cyrus for his church's sake</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/45-5.htm">By his omnipotence he challenges obedience</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/isaiah/45-20.htm">He convinces the idols of vanity by his saving power</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/45.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/isaiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/isaiah/45.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I will go before you</b><br>This phrase emphasizes God's active role in guiding and preparing the way for His chosen servant. In the context of <a href="/isaiah/45.htm">Isaiah 45</a>, God is speaking to Cyrus, the Persian king, whom He has anointed to deliver Israel from Babylonian captivity. The idea of God going before someone is a recurring theme in Scripture, signifying divine guidance and protection. For example, in <a href="/exodus/13-21.htm">Exodus 13:21</a>, God goes before the Israelites in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. This assurance of God's presence is a promise of success and victory, as He clears obstacles and paves the way for His purposes to be fulfilled.<p><b>and level the mountains;</b><br>Mountains often symbolize obstacles or challenges in biblical literature. The promise to "level the mountains" suggests that God will remove significant barriers that stand in the way of His plans. This imagery is powerful, indicating that no obstacle is too great for God to overcome. In a broader theological sense, this can be seen as a metaphor for God's ability to remove spiritual and physical hindrances in the lives of His people. This theme is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus speaks of faith moving mountains (<a href="/matthew/17-20.htm">Matthew 17:20</a>), highlighting the power of divine intervention.<p><b>I will break down the gates of bronze</b><br>Bronze gates were considered strong and impenetrable, often used in ancient cities for protection against invaders. The breaking down of these gates signifies God's power to overcome human defenses and fortifications. Historically, this can be linked to the fall of Babylon, which was known for its formidable walls and gates. God's promise to break these gates underscores His sovereignty over nations and His ability to fulfill His promises, regardless of human resistance. This act can also be seen as a type of Christ's victory over sin and death, breaking the barriers that separate humanity from God.<p><b>and cut through the bars of iron.</b><br>Iron bars represent strength and security, often used to reinforce gates and doors. God's promise to cut through these bars further illustrates His unmatched power and determination to accomplish His will. This imagery reinforces the idea that no human-made structure or defense can withstand God's purposes. In a spiritual sense, it can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's work in breaking the chains of sin and setting captives free, as mentioned in <a href="/luke/4-18.htm">Luke 4:18</a>. The cutting through of iron bars symbolizes liberation and the breaking of bondage, both physically for the Israelites and spiritually for believers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/c/cyrus_the_great.htm">Cyrus the Great</a></b><br>The Persian king whom God anointed to conquer Babylon and release the Israelites from captivity. <a href="/bsb/isaiah/45.htm">Isaiah 45</a> is a prophecy concerning Cyrus, highlighting God's sovereignty in using a pagan king for His purposes.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation of God's chosen people, who were in exile in Babylon at the time of this prophecy. This verse is part of God's promise to restore them to their homeland.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylon.htm">Babylon</a></b><br>The empire that held the Israelites captive. The prophecy foretells its downfall and the liberation of the Israelites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/mountains,_gates_of_bronze,_bars_of_iron.htm">Mountains, Gates of Bronze, Bars of Iron</a></b><br>Symbolic obstacles representing the challenges and barriers that stand in the way of God's plans and His people's deliverance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_power.htm">God's Sovereignty and Power</a></b><br>God is in control of all nations and rulers, using them to fulfill His divine purposes. Trust in His ultimate authority over world events.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_intervention.htm">Divine Intervention</a></b><br>Just as God promised to go before Cyrus, He goes before us, removing obstacles and making paths straight. Rely on His guidance in difficult times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/overcoming_obstacles.htm">Overcoming Obstacles</a></b><br>The imagery of breaking gates and cutting bars signifies God's ability to overcome any hindrance. Have faith that God can dismantle the barriers in your life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/purposeful_deliverance.htm">Purposeful Deliverance</a></b><br>God's actions are purposeful, aimed at fulfilling His promises and plans for His people. Reflect on how God is working in your life to bring about His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_isaiah_45.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 45</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_the_city_of_god.htm">What defines the City of God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_did_god_promise_joshua.htm">What did God promise Joshua?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_ezra_1_2_show_cyrus_honoring_god.htm">Why does Ezra 1:2 portray Cyrus as acknowledging the LORD’s sovereignty, despite historical records showing Cyrus remained loyal to his own deities? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_all_faiths_coexist_per_isaiah_2_2-3.htm">If Isaiah 2:2-3 indicates all peoples will stream to the Lord's mountain, how do we reconcile this with other faiths continuing to flourish?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/isaiah/45.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">Make the crooked places straight.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">make the dwelling-places smooth</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>remove all obstacles (comp. 40:4, 42:16).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/isaiah/45.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I will... make the crooked places straight</span>; rather, I <span class="accented">will make the rugged places level.</span> No doubt intended generally, "I will smooth his way before him." <span class="cmt_word">The gates of brass... the bars of iron</span>. According to Herodotus, the gates of Babylon were of solid bronze, and one hundred in number (1:179). Solid bronze gates have, however, nowhere been found, and would have been inconvenient from their enormous weight. It is probable that the "gates of brass," or "bronze," whereof we read, were always, like these found at Ballarat, of wood plated with bronze. <span class="accented">To the eye</span> these would be "gates of bronze." Gates of towns were, as a matter of course, secured by bars, which would commonly be made of iron, as the strongest material. Iron was well known to the Babylonians (Herod., 1:186). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/isaiah/45-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“I</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲנִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will go</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלֵ֔ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before you</span><br /><span class="heb">לְפָנֶ֣יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and level</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲיַשֵּׁ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·yaš·šêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3474.htm">Strong's 3474: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be straight, even, to be, right, pleasant, prosperous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the mountains;</span><br /><span class="heb">וַהֲדוּרִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(wa·hă·ḏū·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1921.htm">Strong's 1921: </a> </span><span class="str2">To swell up, to favor, honour, be high, proud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will break down</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשַׁבֵּ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7665.htm">Strong's 7665: </a> </span><span class="str2">To break, break in pieces</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the gates</span><br /><span class="heb">דַּלְת֤וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(dal·ṯō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1817.htm">Strong's 1817: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something swinging, the valve of a, door</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of bronze</span><br /><span class="heb">נְחוּשָׁה֙</span> <span class="translit">(nə·ḥū·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5154.htm">Strong's 5154: </a> </span><span class="str2">Copper, bronze</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and cut through</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲגַדֵּֽעַ׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḡad·dê·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fell a, tree, to destroy anything</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the bars</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְרִיחֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·rî·ḥê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1280.htm">Strong's 1280: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bolt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of iron.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַרְזֶ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(ḇar·zel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1270.htm">Strong's 1270: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iron, an iron implement</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/isaiah/45-2.htm">Isaiah 45:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/isaiah/45-2.htm">Isaiah 45:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/isaiah/45-2.htm">Isaiah 45:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/isaiah/45-2.htm">Isaiah 45:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/isaiah/45-2.htm">Isaiah 45:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/isaiah/45-2.htm">Isaiah 45:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/isaiah/45-2.htm">Isaiah 45:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/isaiah/45-2.htm">Isaiah 45:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/isaiah/45-2.htm">Isaiah 45:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/isaiah/45-2.htm">Isaiah 45:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/isaiah/45-2.htm">OT Prophets: Isaiah 45:2 I will go before you and make (Isa Isi Is)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Isaiah 45:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Isaiah 45:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/isaiah/45-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Isaiah 45:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Isaiah 45:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>