Isaiah 2:16

And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.

And upon all the ships {H591} of Tarshish {H8659}, and upon all pleasant {H2532} pictures {H7914}.

for every "Tarshish" ship, for every luxurious vessel.

against every ship of Tarshish, and against every stately vessel.

and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant imagery.

Commentary on Isaiah 2:16 (KJV)

Isaiah 2:16 reads: "And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures." This verse is part of a powerful prophecy by the prophet Isaiah concerning the "Day of the Lord," a time of divine judgment and the ultimate exaltation of God.

Context

This verse is situated within a broader passage (Isaiah 2:6-22) that describes God's coming judgment on human pride, idolatry, and self-sufficiency. The preceding verses list various symbols of human loftiness and strength—such as proud cedars of Lebanon, strong oaks of Bashan, high mountains, and lofty hills (Isaiah 2:13-15)—all of which will be brought low when the Lord alone is exalted. Verse 16 continues this comprehensive inventory, extending God's judgment to symbols of human economic power, luxury, and aesthetic achievements.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment on Human Pride and Self-Sufficiency: The overarching theme of Isaiah 2 is God's resolve to humble human arrogance and self-reliance. This verse highlights that even the most impressive human endeavors and possessions are subject to God's ultimate authority. The "Day of the Lord" will demonstrate that all human greatness pales before God's glory (Isaiah 2:11, Isaiah 2:17).
  • The Humbling of Worldly Power and Wealth: "Ships of Tarshish" represent the pinnacle of ancient commercial power, global trade, and material wealth. These were large, sturdy vessels capable of long voyages, symbolizing human ingenuity, economic prowess, and the accumulation of riches. God's judgment extends to the very instruments and fruits of worldly prosperity.
  • The Rejection of Idolatry and Materialism: "Pleasant pictures" speak to objects of beauty, luxury, and desire. These could be costly works of art, ornaments, or any cherished possessions that people might admire, trust in, or even worship instead of God. The verse implies that anything that becomes an object of excessive human delight or trust, diverting attention from the Creator, will also face divine scrutiny.

Linguistic Insights

  • Ships of Tarshish: Tarshish was a famous, distant port (possibly in modern-day Spain, like Tartessus, or a general term for large, ocean-going ships) known for its extensive trade and wealth. Mentioning these ships evokes images of vast commercial empires, advanced seafaring technology, and the accumulation of riches from across the known world. They symbolize human economic strength and global reach.
  • Pleasant pictures (Hebrew: sekhiyot): This term refers to "desirable images," "costly objects," or "ornaments." It encompasses anything considered beautiful, valuable, or luxurious that people might acquire and cherish. While not explicitly idols, these "pleasant pictures" represent human aesthetic achievements, luxury items, and possessions that can easily become objects of misplaced affection, trust, or even a subtle form of idolatry, distracting from true worship of God.

Practical Application

Isaiah 2:16 serves as a timeless warning against placing ultimate trust or value in material possessions, human achievements, or worldly power. In an age of unprecedented wealth and technological advancement, this verse reminds us that all human endeavors, no matter how impressive, are transient and ultimately subject to God's sovereignty. It challenges believers to examine where their true security and affections lie, urging a shift from materialism and pride to a humble reliance on God alone. Our focus should be on building treasures in heaven, not on earthly possessions that can be humbled and swept away (Matthew 6:19-21).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Kings 10:22

    For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

  • Isaiah 23:1

    ¶ The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.

  • Numbers 33:52

    Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:

  • Revelation 18:11

    And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

  • Isaiah 60:9

    ¶ Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

  • 1 Kings 22:48

    Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Eziongeber.

  • 1 Kings 22:49

    Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not.

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