Isaiah 23:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 23:1 initiates a profound prophetic oracle, declaring a "burden" or solemn pronouncement of judgment against Tyre, the formidable Phoenician maritime power. The verse immediately evokes a scene of impending desolation, commanding the far-reaching "ships of Tarshish" to lament the utter destruction of their home port. The news of Tyre's demise, characterized by the absence of houses and entryways, is depicted as spreading swiftly from the island of Chittim, underscoring the completeness and widespread impact of this divine decree.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 23:1 introduces the final "burden" (Hebrew: *massa'*) in a series of prophetic oracles against foreign nations (chapters 13-23). These pronouncements serve to demonstrate Yahweh's universal sovereignty, not only over Israel and Judah but also over the most powerful empires and commercial centers of the ancient world. Placed strategically at the culmination of these oracles, the judgment against Tyre, a symbol of human ingenuity, wealth, and maritime dominance, reinforces the overarching theme that no earthly power can withstand the divine will. This chapter, therefore, functions as a powerful testament to God's ultimate control over history and geopolitics, setting the stage for the subsequent apocalyptic section of Isaiah (chapters 24-27) which details a more universal judgment. The immediate literary context is a transition from the oracle against Egypt (chapter 19) and a brief mention of the desert (chapter 21), leading into this final, climactic judgment against a global economic hub.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was a preeminent Phoenician city-state, renowned for its immense wealth derived from extensive trade networks spanning the Mediterranean. Located on the coast of modern-day Lebanon, it was initially a mainland city, but later developed into a formidable island fortress, making it seem impregnable. Its economic prowess was built upon its purple dye industry (from murex snails), cedar timber, and vast merchant fleet. The "ships of Tarshish" (likely a distant port in modern-day Spain, or a general term for large, ocean-going vessels capable of long voyages) symbolize Tyre's global reach and economic lifeline. Chittim, often identified with Cyprus, was a major trading partner and cultural outpost of Phoenicia, making it a logical first recipient of the news of Tyre's destruction. The cultural understanding of a "burden" (*massa'*) was not merely a physical weight but a heavy, authoritative prophetic utterance, often portending doom, reflecting the gravity of God's message against a city that epitomized human pride and self-sufficiency. This prophecy would have been understood against the backdrop of various regional powers, such as Assyria and later Babylon, vying for control, though the ultimate source of Tyre's downfall is presented as divine.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several key themes prevalent throughout Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, asserting God's absolute authority over all nations, even those as seemingly invincible and economically powerful as Tyre. This theme is echoed in passages like [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms") where it is declared that "the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth." Secondly, it highlights the **Transient Nature of Earthly Wealth and Power**. Tyre's immense prosperity and influence, symbolized by its "ships of Tarshish," are shown to be ultimately ephemeral when confronted by divine decree. This serves as a stark warning against placing ultimate trust in material possessions or human achievements, a message consistent with [Proverbs 27:24](/proverbs/27-24 "Proverbs 27:24 - The Impermanence of Riches"). Finally, the oracle implicitly touches upon the theme of **Pride and its Consequences**. While not explicitly stated in this verse, the subsequent verses and other prophecies against Tyre (e.g., [Ezekiel 28:2](/ezekiel/28-2 "Ezekiel 28:2 - The Pride of Tyre's King")) link its downfall to its hubris, born from its wisdom, beauty, and wealth. The "burden" serves as a divine indictment against human self-exaltation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burden (Hebrew, _massâʼ'_):** Derived from the root *nasah* (to lift, carry), this term (H4853) in a prophetic context signifies a weighty oracle, a solemn pronouncement, or a heavy message, most often one of judgment or doom. It conveys the immense gravity and divine authority behind the message, indicating that the word of the Lord itself is a heavy load upon the recipient, bringing with it inevitable consequences. It is not merely a prediction but a divinely ordained decree.
* **Howl (Hebrew, _yâlal'_):** This primitive root (H3213) is an onomatopoeic word, vividly depicting a loud, mournful cry, a wailing or yelling sound. It emphasizes the profound grief, despair, and shock that would accompany Tyre's destruction, a visceral expression of lamentation from those whose livelihoods and homes are utterly devastated. The command to "howl" underscores the severity and completeness of the impending catastrophe.
* **Revealed (Hebrew, _gâlâh'_):** This primitive root (H1540) primarily means "to denude" or "uncover," often in a disgraceful sense. By implication, it can mean "to exile" (as captives were often stripped) or, figuratively, "to reveal" or "disclose." In this context, it signifies that the news of Tyre's utter destruction will be made known, uncovered, or disclosed to those in Chittim, implying a public and undeniable revelation of the city's fate, spreading from its closest trading partners.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ The burden of Tyre."**: This opening phrase immediately establishes the nature and subject of the prophecy. "Burden" (*massa'*) signifies a heavy, authoritative, and often negative divine oracle. "Tyre" identifies the target: the powerful and wealthy Phoenician city-state, a symbol of maritime strength and commercial prosperity. The paragraph mark (¶) in the KJV indicates a new section or thought, emphasizing the distinct nature of this oracle.
* **"Howl, ye ships of Tarshish;"**: This is a direct command, a prophetic imperative. "Howl" (yâlal) conveys deep lamentation and despair. The command is directed at the "ships of Tarshish," which represent Tyre's vast commercial fleet and its global trading partners. By addressing the ships themselves, the prophet personifies Tyre's economic lifeline, implying that the very instruments of its prosperity will mourn its downfall, as their purpose and home are destroyed.
* **"for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in:"**: This clause provides the reason for the lamentation and describes the extent of the devastation. "Laid waste" (*shâdad*) indicates utter destruction, plunder, and desolation. The phrase "no house, no entering in" graphically depicts a city so completely ruined that not only are its structures destroyed, but there is no longer any possibility of habitation or return, signifying total depopulation and abandonment.
* **"from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them."**: This final clause describes how the news of Tyre's destruction will spread. Chittim (Cyprus) was a significant island closely connected to Tyre through trade and cultural ties. The news "revealed to them" from Chittim implies that the first reports of Tyre's fall would reach this nearby trading partner, and from there, the devastating truth would be publicly disclosed and spread to others, confirming the completeness of the catastrophe.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 23:1 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of impending doom. The most prominent is **Prophetic Oracle**, a direct divine pronouncement of judgment, immediately signaled by the term "burden" (*massa'*), which carries the weight of God's authoritative word. **Personification** is evident in the command "Howl, ye ships of Tarshish," where inanimate vessels are given the human capacity for lamentation, vividly emphasizing the profound impact of Tyre's destruction on its entire commercial enterprise. This also serves as a form of **Metonymy**, where the "ships of Tarshish" stand in for the merchants, sailors, and the entire economic system dependent on Tyre. Furthermore, the phrase "no house, no entering in" uses **Hyperbole** to underscore the absolute and utter desolation of Tyre, suggesting a level of destruction so complete that all signs of life and habitation are eradicated. This exaggerated depiction serves to impress upon the audience the irreversible nature of God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 23:1 serves as a stark reminder of God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers and the transient nature of human achievement and material wealth. It underscores a fundamental biblical truth: no nation, no matter how strong, prosperous, or seemingly impregnable, stands outside the purview of divine judgment. Tyre, a pinnacle of human ingenuity, trade, and self-reliance, becomes a powerful object lesson that all human endeavors, when pursued apart from God or in defiance of His righteousness, are ultimately vulnerable and subject to His ultimate authority. This prophecy calls humanity to recognize that true security and lasting prosperity are not found in economic might or military strength, but in humble submission to the Creator of all nations.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - God Frustrates the Plans of Nations")
* [Jeremiah 9:23-24](/jeremiah/9-23 "Jeremiah 9:23-24 - Boasting in the Lord")
* [Revelation 18:9-19](/revelation/18-9 "Revelation 18:9-19 - The Fall of Babylon, a Commercial City")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 23:1, though a prophecy against an ancient city, holds profound contemporary relevance. It challenges us to examine where our ultimate trust and security lie. In a world often driven by economic power, global trade, and material accumulation, this verse serves as a powerful corrective, reminding us that even the most formidable human systems and financial empires are ultimately temporary and subject to God's sovereign will. It calls us to cultivate humility, recognizing that true and lasting security is not found in the fleeting successes of this world but in the eternal, unchanging nature of God. For believers, it reinforces the call to live with an eternal perspective, investing in what truly lasts and aligning our priorities with God's kingdom, rather than being swept away by the allure of worldly prosperity that is destined to perish.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What modern-day "Tyres" or symbols of seemingly unassailable economic power do we place our trust in, consciously or unconsciously?**
* **How does the transient nature of earthly wealth and power, as depicted in this verse, challenge our personal priorities and pursuits?**
* **In what ways might our own "ships of Tarshish" (our sources of security or pride) be vulnerable to God's sovereign hand?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Tyre in biblical prophecy?**

Answer: Tyre was a powerful Phoenician city-state, renowned for its immense wealth, maritime trade, and formidable defenses. In biblical prophecy, particularly in Isaiah and Ezekiel, Tyre often serves as a symbol of human pride, self-sufficiency, and the transient nature of earthly power and riches. Its judgment demonstrates God's universal sovereignty over all nations, even those that seem invincible, and warns against placing ultimate trust in worldly achievements.

**Why are the "ships of Tarshish" commanded to howl?**

Answer: The "ships of Tarshish" represent Tyre's extensive global trade network and its economic lifeline. Tarshish was a distant trading port, and its ships were large, ocean-going vessels that brought immense wealth to Tyre. By commanding these ships to "howl," the prophet personifies Tyre's entire commercial enterprise, emphasizing that the destruction of Tyre would devastate its global economy and cause widespread lamentation among all who benefited from or relied upon its trade. It signifies the complete collapse of Tyre's commercial empire.

**What does "from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them" mean?**

Answer: Chittim is generally identified with Cyprus, an island closely connected to Tyre through trade and cultural ties. This phrase means that the news of Tyre's utter destruction would first reach Cyprus, its near neighbor and trading partner. From there, the devastating truth would be publicly disclosed and spread to other nations, confirming the completeness and undeniable reality of Tyre's downfall. It highlights the widespread impact and the certainty of the prophecy's fulfillment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 23:1 directly prophesies the judgment of an ancient city, its underlying theological principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The "burden" against Tyre, emblematic of human pride, self-sufficiency, and reliance on material wealth, foreshadows the ultimate judgment pronounced by Christ against all systems and hearts that oppose God's kingdom. Just as Tyre's seemingly impregnable defenses and vast commercial empire were laid waste, so too will all earthly powers and false securities ultimately crumble before the [sovereignty of Christ](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - All Things Created Through Christ"). Jesus himself warned against laying up [treasures on earth](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19 - Laying Up Treasures on Earth"), where moth and rust destroy, echoing the transience of Tyre's wealth. The lamentation of the "ships of Tarshish" over a destroyed economic hub finds its ultimate contrast in the eternal, unshakable kingdom established by Christ, where true riches are found not in commerce but in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy")). The revelation of Tyre's doom from Chittim points to the ultimate revelation of Christ's triumph over all earthly principalities and powers, a truth proclaimed to the ends of the earth through the Gospel ([Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth")). In Christ, the "burden" of judgment is borne by the Lamb of God for those who believe ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), while those who reject Him face the ultimate and final judgment of the King of kings and Lord of lords ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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,