Isaiah 23:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, [and] to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.

Complete Jewish Bible:

ADONAI-Tzva'ot planned it to break the pride of all the arrogant, to humiliate all those who are honored everywhere on earth.

Berean Standard Bible:

The LORD of Hosts planned it, to defile all its glorious beauty, to disgrace all the renowned of the earth.

American Standard Version:

Jehovah of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

The LORD^{H3068} of hosts^{H6635} hath purposed^{H3289} it, to stain^{H2490} the pride^{H1347} of all glory^{H6643}, and to bring into contempt^{H7043} all the honourable^{H3513} of the earth^{H776}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Isaiah 23:9

Isaiah 23:9 is a part of the prophetic book of Isaiah, which addresses the fates of various nations in the broader context of chapters 13-23. This particular verse is situated within a prophecy concerning the city of Tyre, an ancient Phoenician city known for its maritime power and wealth. Tyre was a symbol of commercial success and was considered impregnable due to its location on an island.

The verse speaks to the sovereignty of God, referred to as "the LORD of hosts," who is asserting His control over human affairs. The phrase "LORD of hosts" translates to "Yahweh of armies," emphasizing God's dominion over all powers, both heavenly and earthly. The message here is that God has determined—or "purposed"—to humble the pride of human achievement and to bring low all who are esteemed and powerful in the world. This is a theme that runs throughout the Bible, where the transient nature of earthly power and glory is contrasted with the eternal power and glory of God.

Historically, this verse reflects the theological perspective that God uses historical events to enact judgment and to demonstrate His sovereignty. The prophecy against Tyre is a warning that even the most secure and prosperous cities cannot defy God's will. The fall of Tyre, which was eventually besieged and destroyed by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE, is seen as a fulfillment of this prophecy, underscoring the biblical theme that human pride and achievements are fleeting when compared to the eternal purposes of God.

In summary, Isaiah 23:9 encapsulates the biblical themes of God's sovereignty over nations, the judgment on human pride, and the impermanence of earthly power, set against the backdrop of the historical city of Tyre, which serves as a symbol of human achievement brought low by divine purpose.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6635
   There are 463 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָבָא
   Transliteration: tsâbâʼ
   Pronunciation: tsaw-baw'
   Description: or (feminine) צְבָאָה; from צָבָא; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship); appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare).
   
3. Strong's Number: H3289
   There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָעַץ
   Transliteration: yâʻats
   Pronunciation: yaw-ats'
   Description: a primitive root; to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve; advertise, take advise, advise (well), consult, (give, take) counsel(-lor), determine, devise, guide, purpose.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2490
   There are 131 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָלַל
   Transliteration: châlal
   Pronunciation: khaw-lal'
   Description: a primitive root (compare חָלָה); also denominative (from חָלִיל); properly, to bore, i.e. (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin (as if by an 'opening wedge'); to play (the flute); begin ([idiom] men began), defile, [idiom] break, defile, [idiom] eat (as common things), [idiom] first, [idiom] gather the grape thereof, [idiom] take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1347
   There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּאוֹן
   Transliteration: gâʼôwn
   Pronunciation: gaw-ohn'
   Description: from גָּאָה; the same as גַּאֲוָהxlit gaʻăvâh corrected to gaʼăvâh; {arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament}; arrogancy, excellency(-lent), majesty, pomp, pride, proud, swelling.
   
6. Strong's Number: H6643
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צְבִי
   Transliteration: tsᵉbîy
   Pronunciation: tseb-ee'
   Description: from צָבָה in the sense of prominence; splendor (as conspicuous); also a gazelle (as beautiful); beautiful(-ty), glorious (-ry), goodly, pleasant, roe(-buck).
   
7. Strong's Number: H7043
   There are 79 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָלַל
   Transliteration: qâlal
   Pronunciation: kaw-lal'
   Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.); abate, make bright, bring into contempt, (ac-) curse, despise, (be) ease(-y, -ier), (be a, make, make somewhat, move, seem a, set) light(-en, -er, -ly, -ly afflict, -ly esteem, thing), [idiom] slight(-ly), be swift(-er), (be, be more, make, re-) vile, whet.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3513
   There are 109 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּבַד
   Transliteration: kâbad
   Pronunciation: kaw-bad'
   Description: or כָּבֵד; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable; causatively, to make weighty (in the same two senses); abounding with, more grievously afflict, boast, be chargeable, [idiom] be dim, glorify, be (make) glorious (things), glory, (very) great, be grievous, harden, be (make) heavy, be heavier, lay heavily, (bring to, come to, do, get, be had in) honour (self), (be) honourable (man), lade, [idiom] more be laid, make self many, nobles, prevail, promote (to honour), be rich, be (go) sore, stop.
   
9. Strong's Number: H776
   There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶרֶץ
   Transliteration: ʼerets
   Pronunciation: eh'-rets
   Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.