Isaiah 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.”
King James Version
Cyrus named as God's shepherd who would order Jerusalem rebuilt — a king named roughly 150 years before his birth.
Fulfillment References
Ezra 1:1-3 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 Isaiah 45:1
Archaeological & Historical Evidence
The Cyrus Cylinder (539 BC, British Museum) explicitly confirms Cyrus' policy of restoring temples. Cyrus is named in Isaiah approximately 150 years before his birth.
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
JewishJosephus reports Cyrus read this text and was moved to act.
CatholicFulfilled precisely — Cyrus named 150 years before birth.
ProtestantThe naming of Cyrus 150 years in advance is one of the strongest evidences for predictive prophecy.
DispensationalCyrus as a type of Christ — the deliverer of God's people from captivity.
AcademicCritical scholars argue Deutero-Isaiah wrote this section after Cyrus appeared (~550 BC).
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