I have raised up on: The God who planned the exile through Babylon also planned Israel’s return from exile through Cyrus (see Isaiah 41:2; see also 13:17).
Although Persia is to the east, travelers to Israel and Judah had to enter from the north due to rough terrain.
He will march over rulers … treads the clay: Just as Babylon trampled Assyria, Persia would trample Babylon.