Isaiah 23:11-18

11 He has stretched out his hand over the sea, he has shaken the kingdoms: the LORD has given mitzvah concerning Kana`an, to destroy the strongholds of it.

12 He said, You shall no more rejoice, you oppressed virgin daughter of Tzidon: arise, pass over to Kittim; even there shall you have no rest.

13 Behold, the land of the Kasdim: this people was not; the Ashshur founded it for those who dwell in the wilderness; they set up their towers; they overthrew the palaces of it; they made it a ruin.

14 Howl, you ships of Tarshish; for your stronghold is laid waste

15 It shall come to pass in that day, that Tzor shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years it shall be to Tzor as in the song of the prostitute.

16 Take a harp, go about the city, you prostitute that has been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that you may be remembered.

17 It shall happen after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tzor, and she shall return to her hire, and shall play the prostitute with all the kingdoms of the world on the surface of the eretz.

18 Her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for those who dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.

Isaiah 23:11-18 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.