Isaiah 23:1-10

1 onus Tyri ululate naves maris quia vastata est domus unde venire consueverant de terra Cetthim revelatum est eis

2 tacete qui habitatis in insula negotiatio Sidonis transfretantes mare repleverunt te

3 in aquis multis semen Nili messis fluminis fruges eius et facta est negotiatio gentium

4 erubesce Sidon ait enim mare fortitudo maris dicens non parturivi et non peperi et non enutrivi iuvenes nec ad incrementum perduxi virgine

5 cum auditum fuerit in Aegypto dolebunt cum audierint de Tyro

6 transite maria ululate qui habitatis in insula

7 numquid non haec vestra est quae gloriabatur a diebus pristinis in antiquitate sua ducent eam pedes sui longe ad peregrinandum

8 quis cogitavit hoc super Tyrum quondam coronatam cuius negotiatores principes institores eius incliti terrae

9 Dominus exercituum cogitavit hoc ut detraheret superbiam omnis gloriae et ad ignominiam deduceret universos inclitos terrae

10 transi terram tuam quasi flumen filia maris non est cingulum ultra tibi

Isaiah 23:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

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.