Isaiah23

Isaiah 23 pronounces a "burden" against Tyre, a powerful maritime city, foretelling its utter destruction and the lament of its trading partners like the ships of Tarshish. The Lord of hosts is declared as the one who purposed this downfall to humble the city's pride and its princely merchants. After a period of seventy years of desolation, Tyre is prophesied to be restored to its commercial activity, likened to a harlot returning to her trade. Intriguingly, its future merchandise is ultimately dedicated as holiness to the Lord, for the benefit of those who dwell before Him.

The Oracle Against Tyre

1
A prophecy about Tzor: Howl, you "Tarshish" ships, because the harbor is destroyed! On returning from Kittim, they discover they cannot enter it. ​
2
Silence, you who live on the coast, you who have been enriched by the merchants of Tzidon crossing the sea.
3
By the great water the grain of Shichor, the harvest of the Nile, brought you profits. She was marketplace for the nations. ​
4
Shame, Tzidon, for the sea speaks; the fortress of the sea says, "I no longer have labor pains or bear children, yet I have raised neither boys nor girls. ​
5
When the report reaches Egypt, they will be in anguish at the fate of Tzor.
6
Cross over to Tarshish! Howl, you who live on the coast!
7
Is this your boisterous city, whose feet long ago in antiquity carried her off to found distant colonies?

The Lord's Purpose for Judgment

8
Who planned this against Tzor, the city that once bestowed crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are honored throughout the earth? ​
9
ADONAI-Tzva'ot planned it to break the pride of all the arrogant, to humiliate all those who are honored everywhere on earth. ​
10
People of Tarshish! Nothing restricts you now. You can flow freely over your land just like the Nile River.
11
He has stretched out his hand against the sea, he has shaken kingdoms; ADONAI has ordered that Kena'an's fortresses be destroyed.
12
He has said, "Exult no more, oppressed virgin daughter of Tzidon. Arise, cross to Kittim; even there you will find no rest."
13
Look at the land of the Kasdim! This was the people who did not exist when Ashur destined it for desert creatures. They erected their siege towers and tore down her palaces, so that it has been made a ruin. ​
14
Howl, you "Tarshish" ships, because your fortress is destroyed

Restoration After Seventy Years

15
When that day comes, Tzor will be forgotten for seventy years, the lifetime of a king. After seventy years, its fate will be the same as that of the prostitute in this song: ​
16
"Take a lyre, walk the city, you poor, forgotten whore! Play sweetly, sing all your songs, so that they will remember you!" ​
17
After seventy years are over ADONAI will remember Tzor. She will receive her wages again and prostitute herself to all the world's kingdoms on the face of the earth. ​
18
But her merchandise and profits will be dedicated to ADONAI; they will not be stored up or hoarded, because her profits will be for those living in ADONAI's presence, so that they can eat their fill and wear fine clothing. ​

Study Notes for Isaiah 23

Verse 1

The 'burden' (Hebrew: *massa*) is an oracle of judgment against Tyre, the dominant maritime power of the Phoenician coast. Tarshish, likely a major trading colony in the far west (Spain), is called to mourn the collapse of its economic hub.

Verse 3

Sihor is often identified with the Nile River. This verse highlights that Tyre’s great wealth was derived not just from shipping, but also from brokering Egyptian grain and goods to the international market.

Verse 4

Zidon, the older 'mother city' of Phoenicia, is addressed here. The 'strength of the sea' (Tyre) is personified as a woman who has lost her economic vitality, no longer producing wealth or ships ('children').

Verse 8

Tyre is called the 'crowning city' because it established colonies and was the center of a maritime empire. The question asks rhetorically who could challenge such power, leading to the answer in the next verse.

Verse 9

This is the theological core of the oracle: God judges Tyre’s immense wealth and power not out of malice, but specifically to humble human pride and demonstrate the vanity of relying on earthly glory.

Verse 13

This verse is complex, possibly pointing to the destruction brought by the Chaldeans (Babylonians), who, despite their eventual rise to power, are also subject to ruin by God, confirming divine sovereignty over all nations.

Verse 15

The seventy-year period mirrors the length of Judah’s Babylonian exile (Jer. 25:11), suggesting a temporary suspension of Tyre’s influence, after which it will return to commercial activity.

Verse 16

The metaphor of the harlot illustrates Tyre’s desperate effort to regain its place in international commerce after being forgotten, aggressively soliciting trade partners like a prostitute seeking clients.

Verse 17

Committing 'fornication' refers to returning to intense, often morally dubious, international trade practices necessary to rebuild its empire and regain its 'hire' (revenue).

Verse 18

The prophecy concludes with the surprising dedication of Tyre's vast commercial wealth ('hire') to the LORD. This signifies a future time when Gentile economic resources will be consecrated to support God’s people and work (cf. Isa. 60:5–7).

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