What surprising title is given to Cyrus in the book of Isaiah?

Answer 1

AnswerIsaiah 44:28: "That saith of Cyrus. He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure; even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid." Verse 45:1: "Thus saith the Lord to his appointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden ..." Verse 45:4: "For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel my elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee even though thou has not known me."

These comments are not really so surprising. Cyrus had freed the Jews to return to Judah if they wished, and had agreed to pay for construction of a new Temple. Some say that he even guided the Jews in their understanding of their own religion, which had become so much like the Zoroastrian religion of Persia. Out of gratitude for such great generosity, Second Isaiah said that God called Cyrus his 'shepherd'.