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Isaiah 23

BSB·18 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1This is the burden against Tyreצֹ֑רṣōr — TyreH6865 — Full Word Study →: Wailהֵילִ֣ילוּ׀hê·lî·lū — to wail, howl, or cry out in lamentationH3213 — Full Word Study →, O shipsאֳנִיּ֣וֹת’o·nî·yō·wṯ — Ship or vesselH591 — Full Word Study → of Tarshishתַּרְשִׁ֗ישׁtar·šîš — Distant maritime nationH8659 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Tyre is laid waste, without houseמִבַּ֙יִת֙mib·ba·yiṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → or harbor. Word has reachedנִגְלָה־niḡ·lāh- — HeglamH1540 — Full Word Study → them from the landמֵאֶ֥רֶץmê·’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → of Cyprusכִּתִּ֖יםkit·tîm — Cyprus or maritime peoplesH3794 — Full Word Study →. 2Be silentדֹּ֖מּוּdōm·mū — to be silent, still, or ceaseH1826 — Full Word Study →, O dwellersיֹ֣שְׁבֵיyō·šə·ḇê — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → of the coastlandאִ֑י’î — coastland, distant island, or remote regionH339 — Full Word Study →, you merchantsסֹחֵ֥רsō·ḥêr — to trade, traffic, or move about as a merchantH5503 — Full Word Study → of Sidonצִיד֛וֹןṣî·ḏō·wn — Fishery or huntingH6721 — Full Word Study →, whose tradersעֹבֵ֥ר‘ō·ḇêr — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → have crossedמִלְאֽוּךְ׃mil·’ūḵ — to fill, fulfill, completeH4390 — Full Word Study → the seaיָ֖םyām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study →. 3On the greatרַבִּים֙rab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → watersוּבְמַ֤יִםū·ḇə·ma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → came the grainזֶ֣רַעze·ra‘ — Seed; offspring; descendant; progenyH2233 — Full Word Study → of Shihorשִׁחֹ֔רši·ḥōr — The Nile RiverH7883 — Full Word Study →; the harvestקְצִ֥ירqə·ṣîr — Harvest; the reaping of crops or figuratively, a limb or branchH7105 — Full Word Study → of the Nileיְא֖וֹרyə·’ō·wr — The Nile RiverH2975 — Full Word Study → was the revenue of Tyreתְּבֽוּאָתָ֑הּtə·ḇū·’ā·ṯāh — Produce, yield, or harvestH8393 — Full Word Study →; she wasוַתְּהִ֖יwat·tə·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → the merchantסְחַ֥רsə·ḥar — merchandise, trade goods, profit from commerceH5504 — Full Word Study → of the nationsגּוֹיִֽם׃gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study →. 4Be ashamedבּ֣וֹשִׁיbō·wō·šî — to be ashamed; to feel shame or disgraceH954 — Full Word Study →, O Sidonצִיד֔וֹןṣî·ḏō·wn — Fishery or huntingH6721 — Full Word Study →, the strongholdמָע֥וֹזmā·‘ō·wz — Refuge, stronghold, fortress; place of security and strengthH4581 — Full Word Study → of the seaיָ֔םyām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study →, forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the seaהַיָּ֖םhay·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study → has spokenאָמַ֣ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →: “I have notלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → been in laborחַ֣לְתִּיḥal·tî — To twist, whirl, dance, writhe; to be in pain or travailH2342 — Full Word Study → or given birthיָלַ֗דְתִּיyā·laḏ·tî — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study →. I have notוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → raisedגִדַּ֛לְתִּיḡid·dal·tî — to grow, become great, magnifyH1431 — Full Word Study → young menבַּחוּרִ֖יםba·ḥū·rîm — Young man, youth, chosen oneH970 — Full Word Study → or brought upרוֹמַ֥מְתִּיrō·w·mam·tî — To raise, lift up, exalt; to be highH7311 — Full Word Study → young womenבְתוּלֽוֹת׃ḇə·ṯū·lō·wṯ — A young woman or virgin; an unmarried girlH1330 — Full Word Study →.” 5Whenכַּֽאֲשֶׁר־ka·’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the report reaches Egyptלְמִצְרָ֑יִםlə·miṣ·rā·yim — Egypt, the ancient nationH4714 — Full Word Study →, they will writhe in agonyיָחִ֖ילוּyā·ḥî·lū — To twist, whirl, dance, writhe; to be in pain or travailH2342 — Full Word Study → over the newsכְּשֵׁ֥מַעkə·šê·ma‘ — A sound, report, or rumor; what is heardH8088 — Full Word Study → of Tyreצֹֽר׃ṣōr — TyreH6865 — Full Word Study →. 6Cross overעִבְר֖וּ‘iḇ·rū — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → to Tarshishתַּרְשִׁ֑ישָׁהtar·šî·šāh — Distant maritime nationH8659 — Full Word Study →; wailהֵילִ֖ילוּhê·lî·lū — to wail, howl, or cry out in lamentationH3213 — Full Word Study →, O inhabitantsיֹ֥שְׁבֵיyō·šə·ḇê — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → of the coastlandאִֽי׃’î — coastland, distant island, or remote regionH339 — Full Word Study →! 7Is thisהֲזֹ֥אתhă·zōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → your jubilant cityעַלִּיזָ֑ה‘al·lî·zāh — jubilant, exultant, rejoicing with joyH5947 — Full Word Study →, whose originקַדְמָתָהּ֙qaḏ·mā·ṯāh — former time, antiquity, the pastH6927 — Full Word Study → is from antiquityקֶ֤דֶםqe·ḏem — East; ancient times; beforeH6924 — Full Word Study →, whose feetרַגְלֶ֔יהָraḡ·le·hā — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study → have taken herיֹבִל֣וּהָyō·ḇi·lū·hā — to lead, conduct, or carry forthH2986 — Full Word Study → to settleלָגֽוּר׃lā·ḡūr — to sojourn, dwell as a stranger, fearH1481 — Full Word Study → far awayמֵֽרָח֖וֹקmê·rā·ḥō·wq — distant, far away, remote in space or timeH7350 — Full Word Study →? 8Whoמִ֚יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → plannedיָעַ֣ץyā·‘aṣ — to advise, counsel, or devise a planH3289 — Full Word Study → thisזֹ֔אתzōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → againstעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Tyreצֹ֖רṣōr — TyreH6865 — Full Word Study →, the bestower of crownsהַמַּֽעֲטִירָ֑הham·ma·‘ă·ṭî·rāh — To crown; to encircleH5849 — Full Word Study →, whoseאֲשֶׁ֤ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → tradersסֹחֲרֶ֙יה֙sō·ḥă·reh — to trade, traffic, or move about as a merchantH5503 — Full Word Study → are princesשָׂרִ֔יםśā·rîm — Ruler, leader, or one in authorityH8269 — Full Word Study →, whose merchantsכִּנְעָנֶ֖יהָkin·‘ā·ne·hā — Canaan; the promised land; merchant activityH3667 — Full Word Study → are renownedנִכְבַּדֵּי־niḵ·bad·dê- — to honor, glorify, or make heavy/weightyH3513 — Full Word Study → on the earthאָֽרֶץ׃’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →? 9The LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֖וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study → planned itיְעָצָ֑הּyə·‘ā·ṣāh — to advise, counsel, or devise a planH3289 — Full Word Study →, to defileלְחַלֵּל֙lə·ḥal·lêl — to profane, defile, or beginH2490 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → its gloriousגְּא֣וֹןgə·’ō·wn — Pride, arrogance, majesty, or splendorH1347 — Full Word Study → beautyצְבִ֔יṣə·ḇî — Splendor, beauty, or gazelleH6643 — Full Word Study →, to disgraceלְהָקֵ֖לlə·hā·qêl — to make light; to curse; to despiseH7043 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the renownedנִכְבַּדֵּי־niḵ·bad·dê- — to honor, glorify, or make heavy/weightyH3513 — Full Word Study → of the earthאָֽרֶץ׃’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →. 10Cultivateעִבְרִ֥י‘iḇ·rî — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → your landאַרְצֵ֖ךְ’ar·ṣêḵ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → like the Nileכַּיְאֹ֑רkay·’ōr — The Nile RiverH2975 — Full Word Study →, O Daughterבַּת־baṯ- — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → of Tarshishתַּרְשִׁ֕ישׁtar·šîš — Distant maritime nationH8659 — Full Word Study →; there is noאֵ֖ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → longerעֽוֹד׃‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study → a harborמֵ֥זַחmê·zaḥ — A belt or girdle worn around the waistH4206 — Full Word Study →. 11The LORD has stretched out His handיָדוֹ֙yā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → overעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the seaהַיָּ֔םhay·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study →; He has made kingdomsמַמְלָכ֑וֹתmam·lā·ḵō·wṯ — Kingdom; sovereign rule or realmH4467 — Full Word Study → trembleהִרְגִּ֖יזhir·gîz — to tremble, shake, or be disturbedH7264 — Full Word Study →. He has given a commandצִוָּ֣הṣiw·wāh — to command, order, or appoint with authorityH6680 — Full Word Study → thatאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the strongholdsמָעֻזְנֶֽיהָ׃mā·‘uz·ne·hā — Refuge, stronghold, fortress; place of security and strengthH4581 — Full Word Study → of Canaanכְּנַ֔עַןkə·na·‘an — Canaan; the promised land; merchant activityH3667 — Full Word Study → be destroyedלַשְׁמִ֖דlaš·miḏ — to destroy utterly, annihilate, or lay wasteH8045 — Full Word Study →. 12He saidוַיֹּ֕אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “You shall rejoiceלַעְל֑וֹזla‘·lō·wz — to exult, rejoice, triumphH5937 — Full Word Study → noלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → moreתוֹסִ֥יפִיṯō·w·sî·p̄î — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study →, O oppressedהַֽמְעֻשָּׁקָ֞הham·‘uš·šā·qāh — To oppress, defraud, or exploitH6231 — Full Word Study → Virginבְּתוּלַ֣תbə·ṯū·laṯ — A young woman or virgin; an unmarried girlH1330 — Full Word Study → Daughterבַּת־baṯ- — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → of Sidonצִיד֗וֹןṣî·ḏō·wn — Fishery or huntingH6721 — Full Word Study →. Get upק֣וּמִיqū·mî — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → and cross overעֲבֹ֔רִי‘ă·ḇō·rî — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → to Cyprusכִּתִּיִּיםkit·tī·yīm — Cyprus or maritime peoplesH3794 — Full Word Study →evenגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → thereשָׁ֖םšām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → you will find noלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → restיָנ֥וּחַֽyā·nū·aḥ — To rest, cease, or remain in a state of quietnessH5117 — Full Word Study →.” 13Look atהֵ֣ן׀hên — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study → the landאֶ֣רֶץ’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → of theזֶ֤הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → Chaldeansכַּשְׂדִּ֗יםkaś·dîm — ChaldeaH3778 — Full Word Study →a peopleהָעָם֙hā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → nowלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → of no accountהָיָ֔הhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study →. The Assyriansאַשּׁ֖וּר’aš·šūr — Assyria, ancient empireH804 — Full Word Study → destined itיְסָדָ֣הּyə·sā·ḏāh — to found, establish, lay a foundationH3245 — Full Word Study → for the desert creaturesלְצִיִּ֑יםlə·ṣî·yîm — Wild beasts of the desert; jackalsH6728 — Full Word Study →; they set upהֵקִ֣ימוּhê·qî·mū — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → their siege towersבְחִינָיוḇə·ḥī·nå̄w — Tower or fortified structureH971 — Full Word Study → and strippedעֹרְרוּ֙‘ō·rə·rū — to strip bare, make naked, lay bareH6209 — Full Word Study → its palacesאַרְמְנוֹתֶ֔יהָ’ar·mə·nō·w·ṯe·hā — Royal palace or fortified citadelH759 — Full Word Study →. They brought itשָׂמָ֖הּśā·māh — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → to ruinלְמַפֵּלָֽה׃lə·map·pê·lāh — Ruin, collapse, or fallen structureH4654 — Full Word Study →. 14Wailהֵילִ֖ילוּhê·lî·lū — to wail, howl, or cry out in lamentationH3213 — Full Word Study →, O shipsאֳנִיּ֣וֹת’o·nî·yō·wṯ — Ship or vesselH591 — Full Word Study → of Tarshishתַּרְשִׁ֑ישׁtar·šîš — Distant maritime nationH8659 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → your harborמָעֻזְּכֶֽן׃סmā·‘uz·zə·ḵen — Refuge, stronghold, fortress; place of security and strengthH4581 — Full Word Study → has been destroyedשֻׁדַּ֖דšud·daḏ — to destroy, ruin, or devastate violentlyH7703 — Full Word Study →! 15At thatהַה֔וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → timeבַּיּ֣וֹםbay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → Tyreצֹר֙ṣōr — TyreH6865 — Full Word Study → will be forgottenוְנִשְׁכַּ֤חַתwə·niš·ka·ḥaṯ — to forget, neglect, lose memory ofH7911 — Full Word Study → for seventyשִׁבְעִ֣יםšiḇ·‘îm — The number seventy; multiples of sevenH7657 — Full Word Study → yearsשָׁנָ֔הšā·nāh — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study →the spanכִּימֵ֖יkî·mê — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of aאֶחָ֑ד’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → king’s lifeמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study →. But at the endמִקֵּ֞ץmiq·qêṣ — end, boundary, limit, terminusH7093 — Full Word Study → of seventyשִׁבְעִ֤יםšiḇ·‘îm — The number seventy; multiples of sevenH7657 — Full Word Study → yearsשָׁנָה֙šā·nāh — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study →, it will happenיִהְיֶ֣הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → to Tyreלְצֹ֔רlə·ṣōr — TyreH6865 — Full Word Study → as in the songכְּשִׁירַ֖תkə·šî·raṯ — Song; singing; musical compositionH7892 — Full Word Study → of the harlotהַזּוֹנָֽה׃haz·zō·w·nāh — to commit sexual immorality; to act as a harlot or prostituteH2181 — Full Word Study →: 16Take upקְחִ֥יqə·ḥî — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → your harpכִנּ֛וֹרḵin·nō·wr — stringed musical instrument; lyreH3658 — Full Word Study →, stroll throughסֹ֥בִּיsōb·bî — to turn, surround, go aroundH5437 — Full Word Study → the cityעִ֖יר‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, O forgottenנִשְׁכָּחָ֑הniš·kā·ḥāh — to forget, neglect, lose memory ofH7911 — Full Word Study → harlotזוֹנָ֣הzō·w·nāh — to commit sexual immorality; to act as a harlot or prostituteH2181 — Full Word Study →. Make sweetהֵיטִ֤יבִיhê·ṭî·ḇî — to be good, to improve, to do wellH3190 — Full Word Study → melodyנַגֵּן֙nag·gên — to play a musical instrument; to make musicH5059 — Full Word Study →, sing manyהַרְבִּי־har·bî- — To increase, multiply, grow abundantH7235 — Full Word Study → a songשִׁ֔ירšîr — Song; singing; musical compositionH7892 — Full Word Study →, so you will be rememberedתִּזָּכֵֽרִי׃tiz·zā·ḵê·rî — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study →.” 17And atוְהָיָ֞הwə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → the endמִקֵּ֣ץ׀miq·qêṣ — end, boundary, limit, terminusH7093 — Full Word Study → of seventyשִׁבְעִ֣יםšiḇ·‘îm — The number seventy; multiples of sevenH7657 — Full Word Study → yearsשָׁנָ֗הšā·nāh — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study →, the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will restoreיִפְקֹ֤דyip̄·qōḏ — to visit, oversee, appoint, care forH6485 — Full Word Study → Tyreצֹ֔רṣōr — TyreH6865 — Full Word Study →. Then she will returnוְשָׁבָ֖הwə·šā·ḇāh — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → to hireלְאֶתְנַנָּ֑הlə·’eṯ·nan·nāh — wages, hire, payment for laborH868 — Full Word Study → as a prostituteוְזָֽנְתָ֛הwə·zā·nə·ṯāh — to commit sexual immorality; to act as a harlot or prostituteH2181 — Full Word Study → and sell herselfאֶת־’eṯ- — with, together with, againstH854 — Full Word Study → to allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the kingdomsמַמְלְכ֥וֹתmam·lə·ḵō·wṯ — Kingdom; sovereign rule or realmH4467 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the faceפְּנֵ֥יpə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → of the earthהָאֲדָמָֽה׃hā·’ă·ḏā·māh — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study →. 18Yet her profitsסַחְרָ֜הּsaḥ·rāh — merchandise, trade goods, profit from commerceH5504 — Full Word Study → and wagesוְאֶתְנַנָּ֗הּwə·’eṯ·nan·nāh — wages, hire, payment for laborH868 — Full Word Study → will beוְהָיָ֨הwə·hā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → set apartקֹ֚דֶשׁqō·ḏeš — Holiness, sacred, consecrated, set apartH6944 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַֽיהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; they will notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → be storedיֵֽאָצֵ֖רyê·’ā·ṣêr — to store up, accumulate, or treasureH686 — Full Word Study → or savedיֵֽחָסֵ֑ןyê·ḥā·sên — to store up, hoard, lay up in reserveH2630 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → herיִֽהְיֶ֣הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → profitסַחְרָ֔הּsaḥ·rāh — merchandise, trade goods, profit from commerceH5504 — Full Word Study → will go to those who liveלַיֹּשְׁבִ֞יםlay·yō·šə·ḇîm — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → beforeלִפְנֵ֤יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, for abundantלְשָׂבְעָ֖הlə·śā·ḇə·‘āh — Satiety, fullness, enough, abundanceH7654 — Full Word Study → foodלֶאֱכֹ֥לle·’ĕ·ḵōl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → and fineעָתִֽיק׃פ‘ā·ṯîq — Durable, enduring, ancient, worn out by ageH6266 — Full Word Study → clothingוְלִמְכַסֶּ֥הwə·lim·ḵas·seh — A covering or garment that concealsH4374 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Isaiah 23
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Isaiah 23 is a prophecy against Tyre, one of the ancient world's greatest commercial powers and a symbol of human pride and self-sufficiency apart from God. The chapter announces Tyre's coming destruction and humiliation, followed by a period of obscurity, and ultimately a restoration to usefulness—though now serving the Lord's purposes rather than its own glory. This oracle demonstrates that no earthly power, no matter how wealthy or influential, can stand against God's sovereign judgment, and that true restoration comes only through submission to the Lord.

Verses 1–5: The Announcement of Judgment

Isaiah opens with a cry of lamentation—a "burden" (Hebrew massa, meaning a weighty pronouncement of judgment) against Tyre. The ships of Tarshish, which represented Tyre's far-reaching maritime commerce, are called to wail because the city has been laid waste. Tyre's destruction is so complete that even distant trading partners are informed by way of Cyprus (Chittim). Verses 2–3 emphasize what Tyre will lose: its bustling markets, merchant activity, and commercial dominance. The city, which had been replenished by Phoenician merchants and enriched by trade in Egyptian grain (the "seed of Sihor"), will be silenced. Verse 4 personifies the sea itself as announcing Tyre's sterility—she will bear no children, nurture no young people, and raise no virgins. This poetic language conveys total desolation and the end of prosperity. The comparison to Egypt's downfall (verse 5) reminds Tyre's neighbors that what happened to mighty Egypt will now befall this proud trading center.

Verses 6–12: The Reversal of Fortune

Here Isaiah addresses the inhabitants directly, telling them to flee to Tarshish and lament their lost glory. Verses 7–8 capture the irony: this ancient, joyous city—once so celebrated for its antiquity and merchant princes—will be scattered and despised. The rhetorical question "Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre?" is answered in verse 9 with stunning clarity: the Lord of hosts himself. God's purpose is explicitly stated—to "stain the pride of all glory" and bring the honorable of the earth into contempt. This is the heart of the judgment: divine opposition to human arrogance. Verses 10–11 show God's power at work: He stretches out His hand over the sea, shakes kingdoms, and gives commandment against the merchant city. Verse 12 seals Tyre's fate with divine prohibition—she will have no rest, no recovery, no refuge anywhere she flees.

Verses 13–18: Judgment, Obscurity, and Restoration

Verse 13 offers a historical example: even the Chaldeans, though once founded by the Assyrians and built up with towers and palaces, were brought to ruin. No human construction is permanent. Verses 15–18 provide the most remarkable part of the prophecy: Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years (a complete generation), but will then be restored. However, this restoration comes with transformation. Like a forgotten harlot seeking attention (verses 15–16), Tyre will resume commerce, but now her merchandise and profits will serve the Lord's purposes (verses 17–18). Her gain will not be hoarded but distributed to feed and clothe those who dwell before the Lord. This prophecy ultimately points to the redemptive turning of all nations toward God.

Application for Today

Isaiah 23 warns us against the spiritual dangers of pride in wealth, power, and human achievement. Just as Tyre trusted in its commercial dominance, we may trust in careers, possessions, or status. God alone is sovereign, and He will humble every pride that exalts itself against Him. Yet the chapter also offers hope: restoration and usefulness come through submission to God's purposes. Our talents and resources, when yielded to the Lord, become instruments of blessing in His kingdom.

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