Isaiah 45:5

5 I am God, the only God there is. Besides me there are no real gods. I'm the one who armed you for this work, though you don't even know me,

Isaiah 45:5 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 45:5

I am the Lord, and there is none else
Whom thou, O Cyrus, for the words are directed to him, ought to own, serve, and worship: there is no God besides me;
in heaven or earth, in any of the countries conquered by thee, and thou rulest over; for though there were gods and lords many, so called, these were only nominal fictitious deities; not gods by nature, as he was; of which the following, as well as what is before said, is a proof: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me;
the Lord girded him with a royal girdle, a symbol of kingly power; he made him king over many nations; he girded him with strength, courage, and valour for war; and made him so expeditious, successful, and victorious, as he was, though a Heathen prince, and ignorant of him, in order to answer some valuable ends of his own glory, and the good of his people, and particularly for what follows.

Isaiah 45:5 In-Context

3 I'll lead you to buried treasures, secret caches of valuables - Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, God, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.
4 It's because of my dear servant Jacob, Israel my chosen, That I've singled you out, called you by name, and given you this privileged work. And you don't even know me!
5 I am God, the only God there is. Besides me there are no real gods. I'm the one who armed you for this work, though you don't even know me,
6 So that everyone, from east to west, will know that I have no god-rivals. I am God, the only God there is.
7 I form light and create darkness, I make harmonies and create discords. I, God, do all these things.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.