King James Version

What Does Isaiah 45:3 Mean?

Isaiah 45:3 in the King James Version says “And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LO...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 45 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.”

Isaiah 45:3 · KJV

Context

1

Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; have: or, strengthened

2

I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight : I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

3

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

4

For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

5

I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

Read Isaiah 45 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God promises Cyrus 'treasures of darkness' and 'hidden riches of secret places.' Babylon's wealth was legendary - gold, silver, and precious objects accumulated from conquered nations. The purpose: 'that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.' The Hebrew 'qara beshem' (call by name) indicates personal identification.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Cyrus gained access to Babylon's vast treasury, using this wealth to fund the Jewish return and temple rebuilding (Ezra 1:4). God's purposes were served by pagan plunder.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use worldly wealth and resources to accomplish His spiritual purposes?
  2. What does it mean that God calls you by name, identifying you personally?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְנָתַתִּ֤י1 of 15

“And I will give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְךָ֙2 of 15
H0
אוֹצְר֣וֹת3 of 15

“thee the treasures”

H214

a depository

חֹ֔שֶׁךְ4 of 15

“of darkness”

H2822

the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

וּמַטְמֻנֵ֖י5 of 15

“and hidden riches”

H4301

a secret storehouse; hence, a secreted valuable (buried); generally money

מִסְתָּרִ֑ים6 of 15

“of secret places”

H4565

properly, a concealer, i.e., a covert

לְמַ֣עַן7 of 15
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

תֵּדַ֗ע8 of 15

“that thou mayest know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי9 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֧י10 of 15
H589

i

יְהוָ֛ה11 of 15

“that I the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הַקּוֹרֵ֥א12 of 15

“which call”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

בְשִׁמְךָ֖13 of 15

“thee by thy name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אֱלֹהֵ֥י14 of 15

“am the God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃15 of 15

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 45:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 45:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 48:15Isaiah 43:1Exodus 33:17Exodus 33:12Ezra 1:2Jeremiah 50:37

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