28. my shepherd--type of Messiah
(Isa 40:11;
Ps 23:1; 77:20;
Eze 34:23).
all my pleasure--so Messiah
(Isa 42:1; 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. Cyrus, according to
JOSEPHUS, heard of this prophecy of Isaiah
delivered so long before; hence he was induced to do that which was so
contrary to Oriental policy, to aid in restoring the captive Jews and
rebuilding their temple and city.
JFB.
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