Isaías 23

Profecía contra Tiro

1 Profecía contra Tiro:¡Giman, barcos de Tarsis!,porque destruidas están su casa y su puerto.Desde la tierra de Chipreles ha llegado la noticia.

2 ¡Callen, habitantes de la costa,comerciantes de Sidón,ciudad que han enriquecido los marinos!

3 Sobre las grandes aguasllegó el grano de Sijor;Tiro se volvió el centro comercial de las naciones;la cosecha del Nilo le aportaba ganancias.

4 Avergüénzate, Sidón, fortaleza del mar,porque el mar ha dicho:«No he estado con dolores de parto ni he dado a luz;no he criado hijos ni educado hijas».

5 Cuando la noticia llegue a Egipto,lo que se diga de Tiro los angustiará.

6 Pasen a Tarsis;giman, habitantes de la costa.

7 ¿Es esta su ciudad alegre,la ciudad tan antigua,cuyos pies la han llevadoa establecerse en tierras lejanas?

8 ¿Quién planeó esto contra Tiro,la ciudad que confiere coronas,cuyos comerciantes son príncipes,y sus negociantes reconocidos en la tierra?

9 Lo planeó el SEÑORTodopoderosopara abatir la altivez de toda gloriay humillar a toda la gente importante de la tierra.

10 Hija de Tarsis,cultiva^[a] tu tierra como en el Nilo,porque tu puerto ya no existe.

11 El SEÑOR ha extendido su mano sobre el mary ha puesto a temblar a los reinos,ha ordenado destruir las fortalezas de Canaán.

12 Él dijo:«¡Virgen violentada, hija de Sidón:no volverás a alegrarte!»Levántate y cruza hasta Chipre;¡ni siquiera allí encontrarás descanso!»

13 ¡Mira la tierra de los caldeos!¡Ese pueblo ya no existe!Asiria la ha convertidoen refugio de las fieras del desierto;levantaron torres de asalto,demolieron sus fortalezasy las convirtieron en ruinas.

14 ¡Giman, barcos de Tarsis,porque destruida está su fortaleza!

15 En aquel tiempo Tiro será olvidada durante setenta años, que es lo que vive un rey. Pero al cabo de esos setenta años le sucederá a Tiro lo que dice la canción de la prostituta:

16 «Tú, prostituta olvidada,toma un arpa y recorre la ciudad;toca lo mejor que puedas,y canta muchas canciones,para que te recuerden».

17 Al cabo de setenta años, el SEÑOR se ocupará de Tiro, la cual volverá a venderse y prostituirse con todos los reinos de la tierra.

18 Pero sus ingresos y ganancias se consagrarán al SEÑOR; no serán almacenados ni atesorados. Sus ganancias serán para los que habitan en presencia del SEÑOR, para que se alimenten en abundancia y se vistan con ropas finas.

Isaías 23 Commentary

Chapter 23

The overthrow of Tyre. (1-14) It is established again. (15-18)

Verses 1-14 Tyre was the mart of the nations. She was noted for mirth and diversions; and this made her loth to consider the warnings God gave by his servants. Her merchants were princes, and lived like princes. Tyre being destroyed and laid waste, the merchants should abandon her. Flee to shift for thine own safety; but those that are uneasy in one place, will be so in another; for when God's judgments pursue sinners, they will overtake them. Whence shall all this trouble come? It is a destruction from the Almighty. God designed to convince men of the vanity and uncertainty of all earthly glory. Let the ruin of Tyre warn all places and persons to take heed of pride; for he who exalts himself shall be abased. God will do it, who has all power in his hand; but the Chaldeans shall be the instruments.

Verses 15-18 The desolations of Tyre were not to be for ever. The Lord will visit Tyre in mercy. But when set at liberty, she will use her old arts of temptation. The love of worldly wealth is spiritual idolatry; and covetousness is spiritual idolatry. This directs those that have wealth, to use it in the service of God. When we abide with God in our worldly callings, when we do all in our power to further the gospel, then our merchandise and hire are holiness to the Lord, if we look to his glory. Christians should carry on business as God's servants, and use riches as his stewards.

Footnotes

• [a]. "cultiva " (Qumrán y LXX); "atraviesa " (TM).

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 23

This chapter gives an account both of the desolation and restoration of Tyre, an ancient city of Phoenicia. Its desolation is described as so complete, that a house was not left in it, Isa 23:1 and by the fewness and stillness of the inhabitants of it, with which it had been replenished, it having been a mart of nations, Isa 23:2,3 and by the shame and pain Zidon, a neighbouring city, was put into, on account of it, Isa 23:4,5 and by the removal of its inhabitants to other places, Isa 23:6,7,12 all which is attributed to the counsel, purpose, and commandment of God, to destroy it; whose view was to stain their pride, and bring them into contempt, Isa 23:8-11 the means and instruments made use of to this purpose were the Assyrians or Chaldeans, Isa 23:13 and its desolation is further aggravated by the loss of its trade; hence the merchants of other countries are called to mourning, Isa 23:1,14 the date and duration of this desolation were seventy years, Isa 23:15 after which it should be restored, and its merchandise and commerce with all the nations of the earth be revived again, Isa 23:15-18.