The word stirred
word refers to actions that enliven a person to do something. When the spirit is stirred it is motivated to respond and cannot sit passively.1 The fact that God stirred up the spirit of Cyrus shows that God is in control of powerful political leaders. Cyrus was the most powerful man ruling over a very powerful empire but he was under God’s control. God is sovereign over not only his own people but all people, even powerful political leaders. God used pagan nations in the past to punish the people of Israel (2 Chronicles 36:17). Now he used one for their good.2
1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: