Isaiah 23:14

14 Wail, you ships of Tarshish, for your harbor is 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 says, “Never again will you rejoice, O daughter of Sidon, for you have been crushed. Even if you flee to Cyprus, you will find no rest.”

13 Look at the land of Babylonia — the people of that land are gone! The Assyrians have handed Babylon over to the wild animals of the desert. They have built siege ramps against its walls, torn down its palaces, and turned it to a heap of rubble.

14 Wail, you ships of Tarshish, for your harbor is destroyed!

15 For seventy years, the length of a king’s life, Tyre will be forgotten. But then the city will come back to life as in the song about the prostitute:

16 Take a harp and walk the streets, you forgotten harlot. Make sweet melody and sing your songs so you will be remembered again.