Isaiah 23:14

14 Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for your harbor has been destroyed!

Isaiah 23:14 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 23:14

Howl, ye ships of Tarshish
As in ( Isaiah 23:1 ) . (See Gill on Isaiah 23:1):

for your strength is laid waste;
meaning Tyre, a strong seaport, where their ships were safe, and always found vent for their goods and merchandise; and so it was the strength and support of their country; but was now destroyed, and therefore was matter of lamentation and mourning.

Isaiah 23:14 In-Context

12 He said, “You shall rejoice no more, O oppressed Virgin Daughter of Sidon. Get up and cross over to Cyprus— even there you will find no rest.”

13 Look at the land of the Chaldeans — a people now of no account. The Assyrians destined it for the desert creatures; they set up their siege towers and stripped its palaces. They brought it to ruin.

14 Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for your harbor has been destroyed!

15 At that time Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years—the span of a king’s life. But at the end of seventy years, it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the harlot:

16 “Take up your harp, stroll through the city, O forgotten harlot. Make sweet melody, sing many a song, so you will be remembered.”