who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure,’ even saying of Jerusalem, ‘She will be built;’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid.’”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 28. Cyrus. This was spoken 110 years before his birth, which shews the prescience and power of God, so as not to injure free-will. The parents of Cyrus could not give him this name to fulfill the prediction, as they knew nothing of it. Amon was apprised that a person called Josias would overturn idolatry; but he had no reason to suppose that it would be his son. 1 Kennicott. 13:2.—My shepherd. Chal. “that he shall reign.” This was shewn by the Jews to Cyrus, on which account, ( Calmet.) he gave them leave to return, and so forth Joseph. xi. 1.—The title of shepherd is given to Agamemnon by Homer, and it denotes a good prince, such as historians represent Cyrus to have been. He observed that kings and shepherds had the like duties to perform; (Xenoph. viii.) and after his death he was bewailed as a “father.” Herod. iii. 89.—At first he did not bear the name of Cyrus, (Herod. i. 113.) which in the Persian language means “the sun.” Ctesias. Plut.