Cyrus the Great, King of Persia β called by name in prophecy 150 years before his birth and designated as God's anointed instrument for Israel's restoration.
The Hebrew Koresh (Persian: Kurush, Greek: Kyros) refers to Cyrus II the Great (c. 600-530 BC), founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. He conquered Babylon in 539 BC and immediately issued the Edict of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-4; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23), freeing the Jewish exiles to return to Israel and rebuild the Temple. Most remarkably, Isaiah 44:28-45:1 names him 150 years in advance: 'who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please'... This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus.'
The designation of Koresh as God's mashiach (anointed one) in Isaiah 45:1 is one of the most theologically provocative moments in the OT. A pagan king β one who did not know the God of Israel (Isaiah 45:4-5) β is called God's shepherd and anointed instrument. This teaches that divine sovereignty is not restricted to covenant insiders. God raises up and tears down kings according to His purposes (Daniel 2:21), and He can accomplish His redemptive plan through any means He chooses. Cyrus is a type of Christ β a liberator who sets captives free β but also a reminder that only Jesus is the ultimate Anointed One.