Commentary for Isaiah 41:2

Who aroused from the East one whom righteousness accompanied? Who aroused Abraham to bring him from Aram which is in the East and the righteousness that he would perform that was opposite his feet wherever he went.

ממזרח The man from the east.²A. V., (Who raised up the righteous man) from the East. The ancients refer this expression to Abraham, who defeated the kings (Gen. xiv.), and broke the idols;^2aComp. Bereshith Rabba, xxxviii. especially because of the words the seed of Abraham, my friend, (ver. 8). This is not impossible, but I refer it rather to Cyrus; because all these chapters are connected by their contents; comp. calling a ravenous bird from the east (46:11) and I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come; from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name (41:25); besides, the name of Cyrus is distinctly mentioned 44:28 and 45:1.

He placed nations before him He, Who aroused him to leave his place to cause him to move, He placed before him four kings and their hosts.