Isaiah 41:25-28 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

I have raised up one from the north— The prophet changes his general argument into a particular one; repeating and urging more strongly the example of Cyrus, which he produced at the beginning of this discourse. Cyrus is said to be raised up from the north, as he came with his army from Media, which was to the north of Babylon and Judaea; and from the east, Isaiah 41:2 or the rising of the sun, as he came from Persia, which was to the east of Judaea and Babylon. It was from that country he came into Media. We may just observe too, that his father was a Persian, and his mother a Mede. It is plain from his edict in behalf of the Jews, that he called upon the name, or acknowledged the truth, of the God of Israel: and there can be no doubt that from Daniel and others, who were celebrated in his times, he learned more respecting the God of Israel. See Daniel 6:28. The 26th verse is a plain address to the pretended diviners and prophets among the heathen; none of whom had been able to foretel this event, which God by his prophet had foretold one hundred and seventy years at least before it happened. See Joseph. Antiq. lib. 2: cap. 1. Bishop Lowth renders this verse, Who hath declared this from the beginning, that we should know it? and beforehand, that we might say the prediction is true? There is a remarkable gradation in the end of the verse, wherein the prophet says, "There is none who clearly foretelleth, or setteth it before our eyes; nay, there is none who maketh it to be heard of; who spreads any fame or report of it: Yea, there is none that heareth your words; none that heareth the least sound or whisper from you concerning it." The meaning of the 27th verse is, that, when this event came to its completion, God would raise up prophets and teachers, who should put his people in mind of what Isaiah and the other prophets had foretold; saying, Behold, behold, the things are come to pass; the good tidings, which Isaiah and others long since predicted. See chap. Isaiah 21:6. The verse should be rendered, To Zion first; Behold, behold them: and to Jerusalem will I give a messenger of good tidings. The meaning of the 28th verse is, that God, by his prophets and teachers, had looked diligently round, and inquired whether there was any one of the diviners and prophets of the nations who foreknew or could fortel any thing of this wonderful event; but no one could be found; there was among them a profound silence and perfect ignorance. Even amongst them, more particularly refers to the Chaldean astrologers: see chap. Isaiah 44:25.