Chapter 45:1 (NLT) reads, “This is what the LORD says to Cyrus, his anointed one, whose right hand he will empower. Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear.” The Cyrus in this case is Cyrus II, founder of the Persian Empire. He ruled from about 558–530 B.C.E. Isaiah was referring to the as-yet distant event of Cyrus freeing the Jewish exiles and sending them back to their homeland, Judah.