Isaiah23
English Standard Version
1The concerning . , O of , for Tyre is , ! the of it is to them.
2Be , O of the ; the of , who the , have you.
3And on your was the of , the of the ; you were the of the .
4Be , O , the has , the of the , : I have given , I have .
5 the comes to , they will be in over the about .
6Cross to ; , O of the !
7Is your city whose is of , whose her to ?
8 has , the bestower of , were , whose were the of the ?
9The Lord of has it, to the pompous of , to the of the .
10Cross your like the , O of ; there is .
11He has his the ; he has the ; the Lord has given concerning to its .
12And he : You will , O of ; , cross to , you will have .
13 the of the ! is the that was ; it for . They their , they her , they her a .
14 , O of , your is .
15In that will be for , like the of . At the of , it will happen to in the of the :
16 a ; the , O ! ; sing , that you may be .
17 the of , the Lord will , and she will to her and will herself with the of the the of the .
18Her and her will be to the Lord. It will be , but her will and for those who the Lord.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Isaiah 23.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The overthrow of Tyre. (1-14). It is established again. (15-18).
vv1-14
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.
vv15-18
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.
Key Words
מַשָּׂא: a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly adoom, especially singing; mental, desire
צֹר: Tsor, a place in Palestine
יָלַל: to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one)
אֳנִיָּה: a ship
תַּרְשִׁישׁ: Tarshish, a place on the Mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a Persian and of an Israelite
שָׁדַד: properly, to be burly, i.e. (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to ravage
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
בַּיִת: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
בּוֹא: to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Cross References
Isaiah 23Parallels the specific seventy-year period of judgment/servitude under the Babylonian empire.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Historical Pentateuchal reference identifying Chittim as a naval power, foreshadowing the maritime distress of Tyre.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies "Sihor" as the waters of the Nile, explaining the source of Egypt's agricultural harvest.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Expands on the widespread panic and mourning among nations upon hearing of Tyre's catastrophic fall.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the final restoration where commerce and common objects become "holiness unto the Lord."
Supported by Matthew Henry
Illustrates "ships of Tarshish" as large merchant vessels trading in valuable foreign commodities.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Ezekiel's parallel lamentation depicting Tyre as the opulent merchant entry-port to the sea.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Highlights the extreme self-exaltation of the prince of Tyre dwelling in the heart of the seas.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explains the term "merchant city" (Hebrew: Canaan), linking mercantile success with deceptive scales.
Supported by JFB
Identifies "ships of Tarshish" as symbols of pride and human commerce targeted by divine judgment.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Links the pines/boxwood of the "isles of Chittim" with Tyrian shipbuilding and luxury trade.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Uses Chittim to denote the western coastlands and naval forces of the Mediterranean.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The New Testament echo where the merchants of the earth weep because their market is gone.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Ezekiel's lament over Tyre, "the renowned city, which was strong in the sea."
Supported by JFB
Confirms the grueling historical reality of Nebuchadnezzar's long siege against Tyre.
Supported by JFB