Isaiah 23

Concerning Tyre

1 An oracle about Tyre. Wail, ships of Tarshish, because your port is destroyed! When returning from Cyprus, they heard about it.

2 Be still, inhabitants of the coast, traders of Sidon, whose messengers crossed over the sea,

3 over the mighty waters. The grain of Shihor, the Nile's harvest, was her income; she was the marketplace of nations.

4 Be ashamed, Sidon, because the sea has spoken; the fortress of the sea has said, "I haven't been in labor; I didn't give birth; I never raised young men or brought up young women."

5 When the Egyptians hear, they will be in anguish at the news about Tyre.

6 Cross over to Tarshish; wail, inhabitants of the coast.

7 Is this your triumphant town, whose origin is from ancient times, whose feet carried her to settle far away?

8 Who planned this concerning Tyre, the one who gives crowns, whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth?

9 The LORD of heavenly forces planned it, to defile the pride of all beauty, to shame all the honored of the earth.

10 Go through your own land, Daughter Tarshish, for the harbor is gone.

11 God's hand is extended over the sea, shaking nations. The LORD gave the command to destroy Phoenicia's fortresses,

12 saying, You will no longer celebrate, violated virgin Daughter Sidon. Get up and head to Cyprus; even there you will find no rest.

13 Look at the land of the Chaldeans, the people who are no more. Assyria destined it for wild animals: they raised up their siege towers, stripped its palaces, and made it a ruin.

14 Wail, ships of Tarshish, for your fortress is destroyed!

15 On that day, Tyre will be forgotten seventy years, the lifetime of one king. At the end of seventy years, Tyre will become like the prostitute in the song:

16 Take a harp, go around the city, forgotten prostitute. Play well, sing many songs, so they'll remember you.

17 At the end of seventy years, the LORD will visit Tyre. She will return to her trade and will prostitute herself with all the kingdoms on the earth.

18 Her profits and wages will be sacred to the LORD. They won't be stored or saved. Her profits will go to those living before the LORD, for plentiful food and elegant clothes.

Isaiah 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]. Heb uncertain
• [b]. Correction; MT one crossing over the sea filled you
• [c]. Heb uncertain

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.