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.

The burden {H4853} of Tyre {H6865}. Howl {H3213}, ye ships {H591} of Tarshish {H8659}; for it is laid waste {H7703}, so that there is no house {H1004}, no entering in {H935}: from the land {H776} of Chittim {H3794} it is revealed {H1540} to them.

A prophecy about Tzor: Howl, you "Tarshish" ships, because the harbor is destroyed! On returning from Kittim, they discover they cannot enter it.

This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus.

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 Kittim it is revealed to them.

Commentary on Isaiah 23:1 KJV

Isaiah 23:1 opens a significant prophetic oracle concerning the powerful Phoenician city of Tyre. This verse immediately sets a tone of impending doom and lamentation for a city renowned for its wealth and maritime dominance.

Context of Isaiah 23:1

The book of Isaiah contains a series of "burdens" or prophetic pronouncements against various nations surrounding Judah, demonstrating God's sovereign control over the entire world, not just Israel. Chapter 23 focuses on Tyre, a major commercial hub and naval power located on the Mediterranean coast. Tyre was famed for its extensive trade networks, its purple dye, and its formidable defenses (originally on an island). The "burden of Tyre" indicates a heavy message of judgment from the Lord.

The mention of "ships of Tarshish" highlights Tyre's vast commercial reach. Tarshish was a distant trading port, possibly in modern-day Spain, known for its large, ocean-going vessels. These ships were the lifeblood of Tyre's economy. Their command to "howl" signifies deep mourning and despair over the destruction of their home port, which would devastate their global trade. The news of Tyre's fall is so complete that "there is no house, no entering in," indicating utter desolation. The phrase "from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them" suggests that the first news of Tyre's destruction would reach Cyprus (Chittim), an island closely connected to Tyre through trade, and then spread from there.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, even those as mighty and seemingly impregnable as Tyre. It's a clear declaration that no earthly power is beyond divine accountability.
  • The Transient Nature of Earthly Wealth and Power: Tyre's immense prosperity and influence made it a symbol of human achievement and pride. Yet, this prophecy reveals that even the most formidable human endeavors and material riches are ultimately temporary and vulnerable to God's will.
  • Consequences of Pride: While not explicitly stated in this verse, other prophecies against Tyre (e.g., Ezekiel 28:2) link its downfall to its pride in its wisdom, beauty, and wealth. The "burden" here serves as a stark warning against placing ultimate trust in worldly success.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "burden" is massa (מַשָּׂא), which in a prophetic context often means a weighty oracle, a solemn pronouncement, or a heavy message, typically one of judgment. It conveys the gravity and authority of the divine message. The word "howl" (הֵילִיל, heilil) is an onomatopoeic term, vividly depicting a loud, mournful cry, emphasizing the profound grief and shock that would accompany Tyre's destruction.

Practical Application

Isaiah 23:1 serves as a timeless reminder that all earthly empires, economic systems, and human achievements are ultimately temporary. It challenges us to consider where our ultimate security and trust lie. For believers, it reinforces the truth that God is the ultimate ruler of history, and His plans will always prevail, even against the most powerful human opposition. It encourages humility and a recognition that true and lasting security is found not in material wealth or human strength, but in God alone, as highlighted in Matthew 6:19-21 regarding treasures in heaven.

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.

  • Joel 3:4

    Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly [and] speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;

  • Joel 3:8

    And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken [it].

  • Amos 1:9

    Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:

  • Amos 1:10

    But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof.

  • Genesis 10:4

    And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.

  • Jeremiah 47:4

    Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, [and] to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.

  • Jeremiah 25:22

    And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which [are] beyond the sea,

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