en_tn/isa/41/02.md

978 B

Who has stirred up one from the east, calling him in righteousness to his service?

Yahweh uses this question to emphasize that he is the one who caused this ruler from the east to be victorious. Alternate translation: "I am the one who called this powerful ruler from the east and put him in my good service." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)

He hands nations over to him

"I give the nations over to him" or "The one who does these things hands nations over to him"

subdue kings

"conquer kings and force them to obey him"

He turns them to dust with his sword, like windblown stubble with his bow

Turning them to dust and stubble is a metaphor or exaggeration for completely destroying everything the people of these nations have made. The armies of one from the east will conquer these nations and scatter the people easily. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-hyperbole)