Isaiah 23:10

KJV

Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: [there is] no more strength.

KJV (with Strong's)

Pass {H5674} through thy land {H776} as a river {H2975}, O daughter {H1323} of Tarshish {H8659}: there is no more strength {H4206}.

Complete Jewish Bible

People of Tarshish! Nothing restricts you now. You can flow freely over your land just like the Nile River.

Berean Standard Bible

Cultivate your land like the Nile, O Daughter of Tarshish; there is no longer a harbor.

American Standard Version

Pass through thy land as the Nile, O daughter of Tarshish; there is no restraint any more.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 23:10 serves as a powerful prophetic declaration signaling the complete and irreversible downfall of Tyre, the once-mighty Phoenician city-state. It vividly portrays the dissolution of Tyre's formidable defenses and vast economic dominion, announcing that its former trading partners, particularly Tarshish, are now free to traverse the land unhindered. This verse encapsulates the decisive nature of divine judgment against a proud and self-reliant empire, proclaiming the end of its global influence and underscoring the ephemeral nature of all earthly power and security.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 23 is a distinct prophetic "burden" or oracle against Tyre, situated within a larger collection of prophecies targeting various foreign nations (Isaiah 13-23). This section of Isaiah consistently demonstrates Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over all peoples and empires, highlighting that even the most powerful human entities are subject to His divine will and judgment. The verses immediately preceding Isaiah 23:10 (Isaiah 23:1-9) vividly depict the shock, lament, and despair of Tyre's extensive network of merchants and mariners, including those from Sidon and Egypt, as they witness the city's impending destruction. These earlier verses establish Tyre's immense former glory, wealth, and pride, setting a stark contrast with the humiliation and desolation declared in verse 10, where its power is definitively broken. The subsequent verses (Isaiah 23:11-18) further elaborate on Tyre's desolation, yet also hint at a future, albeit limited, restoration after a period of seventy years, emphasizing the cyclical nature of divine judgment and mercy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was an exceptionally powerful and prosperous island city-state located on the Mediterranean coast, renowned throughout the ancient world for its formidable fortifications, dominant naval fleet, and extensive trade networks. It functioned as a pivotal economic hub, facilitating commerce across the vast Mediterranean basin and connecting the East with the West. Tarshish, explicitly mentioned in this verse, was likely a significant and distant trading port, possibly located in modern-day Spain or elsewhere in the western Mediterranean, symbolizing the far-reaching extent of Tyre's maritime and commercial influence. The city's immense wealth, strategic location, and perceived impregnability fostered a deep-seated spirit of self-sufficiency and pride among its inhabitants and rulers, characteristics that frequently drew the condemnation of Israelite prophets. The prophecy in Isaiah 23 anticipates historical events such as the prolonged siege by Nebuchadnezzar in the early 6th century BCE and, more definitively, the devastating siege by Alexander the Great in the late 4th century BCE, both of which ultimately led to Tyre's significant decline and eventual ruin. The potent imagery of a "river" passing through the land evokes the unhindered movement that would ensue once Tyre's control was shattered, whether by its fleeing inhabitants, its former dependencies, or by conquering invaders.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes profoundly to several overarching theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Foremost among these is the theme of God's **sovereignty over nations**, unequivocally demonstrating that even the most formidable human empires and their perceived invincibility are utterly subservient to Yahweh's ultimate authority and divine judgment. The theme of **pride and downfall** is central, as Tyre's arrogant reliance on its own strength and wisdom is directly contrasted with its inevitable and complete demise, powerfully echoing the timeless biblical principle articulated in [Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction"). Furthermore, Isaiah 23:10 vividly highlights the **transience of earthly wealth and power**, serving as a stark reminder that material prosperity, military might, and human achievements are ultimately fleeting and impermanent when juxtaposed with the eternal purposes and judgments of God. This divine judgment on Tyre thus functions as a potent prophetic warning to all who place their ultimate trust and security in human accomplishments rather than in the Lord, a message entirely consistent with the broader call to unwavering faith and reliance on God's deliverance that permeates [Isaiah's comprehensive prophecies](/isaiah/1 "The Book of Isaiah - God's Judgment and Salvation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pass (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** From a primitive root, this verb signifies "to cross over" and is broadly used to describe any form of transition, whether literal movement, a change in state, or a sweeping action. In Isaiah 23:10, it conveys unhindered, unimpeded movement, a sweeping passage, or the newfound freedom to traverse a territory that was once under strict control. It implies a dramatic and decisive shift from a state of restricted access to one of open and unconstrained passage, powerfully signifying the complete removal of all previous barriers and authority.
* **River (Hebrew, _yᵉʼôr'_):** Of Egyptian origin, this term typically refers to a channel, fosse, or canal, most famously designating the Nile River. Here, it is employed metaphorically to describe the *manner* of passing—like an overflowing, unrestrained river. This imagery suggests a pervasive, overwhelming, and perhaps even destructive flow, implying a force that can no longer be contained or a vast, unhindered movement across the landscape that Tyre once dominated.
* **Daughter (Hebrew, _bath'_):** While literally meaning "daughter," this is a very common biblical idiom used in a broad sense to refer to the inhabitants, people, or even the dependencies and associated entities of a place or city. Thus, "daughter of Tarshish" specifically refers to the people, ships, or commercial enterprises associated with Tarshish, underscoring their historical connection to Tyre's expansive trading empire and their newly acquired, unburdened status as Tyre's control vanishes.
* **Strength (Hebrew, _mâzîyach'_):** This word, also rendered as "girdle" or "belt," is derived from a root meaning "to be movable." In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a girdle or belt was a vital item of clothing, symbolizing readiness for action, military preparedness, and the secure holding of weapons, thus representing power, defense, and vitality. Therefore, the declaration "no more strength" powerfully conveys the idea of a girdle being unfastened or completely removed, symbolizing a total and devastating loss of power, defensive capability, and the ability to resist, control, or act effectively.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish":** This clause functions as both a command and a declarative statement, addressed directly to the "daughter of Tarshish"—representing its people, its ships, or its commercial interests. It instructs or announces their newfound freedom to move unhindered through the land that was once under the strict dominion and economic control of Tyre. The powerful simile "as a river" emphasizes an unhindered, pervasive, and perhaps overwhelming movement, suggesting that those who were once dependent on or restricted by Tyre's authority are now at liberty to traverse the region freely. This imagery starkly contrasts Tyre's former absolute control with its current state of vulnerability and impotence.
* **"[there is] no more strength":** This concluding phrase provides the devastating and absolute reason for the unhindered movement described in the first clause. Tyre, the city once renowned for its might, impregnable defenses, and vast influence, has utterly lost all its power, its ability to defend itself, and its capacity to maintain control. The Hebrew term for "strength" (מֵזַח, *mâzîyach*) literally refers to a girdle or belt, which was a potent symbol of one's readiness, vigor, and power in ancient contexts. Thus, "no more strength" vividly paints a picture of a city completely undone, its "girdle" unfastened, leaving it utterly defenseless, impotent, and exposed. This signifies the complete, irreversible, and catastrophic collapse of Tyre's economic, military, and political might.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 23:10 masterfully employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message of divine judgment and the complete downfall of Tyre. Central to the verse is the use of **metaphor**, particularly in the striking phrase "Pass through thy land as a river." Here, the "river" is not a literal body of water but a powerful metaphorical representation of unhindered, pervasive, and perhaps overwhelming movement—whether of people fleeing, invaders sweeping through, or simply the free flow of commerce and life now unburdened by Tyre's former control. The address "O daughter of Tarshish" is a classic example of **personification** or **metonymy**, where "daughter" serves as a collective noun representing the people, ships, or commercial entities associated with the distant trading partner Tarshish, making the prophecy more direct and vivid. Furthermore, the concluding declaration, "[there is] no more strength," utilizes profound **symbolism**. The Hebrew word for "strength" (*mâzîyach*) literally refers to a girdle or belt, which in ancient cultures symbolized power, readiness, and defense. The absence or removal of this "girdle" powerfully symbolizes Tyre's complete undoing, its utter impotence, and the finality of its downfall. The entire verse functions as a concise yet profoundly impactful **prophetic declaration**, a hallmark of Isaiah's oracles against nations, delivering a definitive statement of divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 23:10 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine sovereignty and the intrinsic transience of all human power. It vividly illustrates that no earthly kingdom, regardless of its accumulated wealth, strategic geographical advantage, or formidable military might, can ultimately withstand or evade the righteous judgment of God. Tyre, a quintessential symbol of human achievement, self-sufficiency, and commercial pride, is brought to absolute nothingness, powerfully underscoring the timeless biblical principle that all worldly glory, prosperity, and dominion are fleeting and ultimately subject to the sovereign will of the Almighty. This prophecy serves as a poignant reminder that true security, enduring strength, and lasting peace are not to be found in material possessions, strategic alliances, or human ingenuity, but solely in humble reliance upon the omnipotent God, who "removes kings and sets up kings" ([Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms")).

* [Ezekiel 28:2-5](/ezekiel/28-2-5 "Ezekiel 28:2-5 - The King of Tyre's Pride and Downfall") - This passage elaborates on the king of Tyre's immense pride, believing himself a god due to his wisdom and wealth, directly leading to his catastrophic downfall.
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10-11 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Lord Frustrates the Plans of Nations") - This psalm emphatically declares that the Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing and frustrates the plans of the peoples, but His own counsel stands firm forever.
* [Revelation 18:9-19](/revelation/18-9-19 "Revelation 18:9-19 - Lament Over the Fall of Babylon the Great") - This New Testament passage describes the lament of kings and merchants over the sudden destruction of "Babylon the Great," a symbolic city representing ultimate commercial and worldly power, mirroring the themes of Tyre's pride and devastating fall.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 23:10 offers a timeless and profoundly sobering reflection on where humanity, both individually and collectively, tends to place its ultimate trust. In a contemporary world that frequently measures success and security by economic prosperity, military might, technological advancement, or political influence, this verse serves as a powerful and necessary corrective. It compels us to critically examine the foundations upon which we build our lives and seek our security. If our strength, identity, and hope are derived solely from material wealth, strategic alliances, human ingenuity, or self-sufficiency, then, like the once-mighty city of Tyre, we remain inherently vulnerable to ultimate collapse and disillusionment. The stark declaration "no more strength" forces us to confront the ephemeral nature of all earthly achievements and to consider what truly endures beyond the ebb and flow of worldly fortunes. True and lasting strength, genuine peace, and unshakeable security are found not in what we accumulate, control, or achieve, but in humble, unwavering reliance upon the sovereign God. This verse calls us to a radical reorientation of our trust, shifting it from the temporary to the eternal, from the visible to the invisible, and to remember that God alone is the inexhaustible source of all enduring power, purpose, and hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "strength" (e.g., financial stability, career success, personal abilities, social status) do I find myself relying on most, apart from God's provision and power?**
* **How does the swift and complete transience of Tyre's immense power challenge my own priorities, pursuits, and investments in life?**
* **In what tangible ways can I practically demonstrate a deeper, more consistent trust in God's ultimate sovereignty over my personal circumstances and the broader affairs of the world?**

### FAQ
**What does "daughter of Tarshish" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "daughter of Tarshish" is a poetic and common biblical idiom. It does not refer to a literal female descendant but is a collective term used to denote the people, inhabitants, or, more specifically in this maritime context, the ships and commercial interests associated with Tarshish. Tarshish was a significant and often distant trading partner of Tyre, symbolizing the vast reach and extent of Tyre's maritime empire. In Isaiah 23:10, this phrase highlights that those who once traded with, were dependent upon, or were even subjected to Tyre's economic and political dominance are now free to move unhindered. This imagery powerfully emphasizes the dramatic shift in the geopolitical landscape and trade routes following Tyre's complete downfall.

**How does "no more strength" relate to Tyre's historical power?**

Answer: Historically, Tyre was renowned for its seemingly impregnable island fortifications, its formidable naval fleet, and its extensive, highly prosperous economic network that spanned the Mediterranean. The phrase "no more strength" (Hebrew: *mâzîyach*, meaning girdle or belt, which symbolized power, readiness, and defense in ancient cultures) signifies the complete and utter collapse of all these sources of power. It means Tyre's physical defenses are rendered useless, its vast economic influence is shattered, and its ability to resist any adversary or maintain its control is entirely gone. This declaration underscores the finality and totality of God's judgment against a city that had boasted in its own might and self-sufficiency, demonstrating unequivocally that no human power, however great, can ultimately stand against divine will and purpose.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prophetic judgment against Tyre in Isaiah 23:10, with its stark declaration of "no more strength" for a proud earthly kingdom, serves as a profound foreshadowing of the ultimate triumph of God's eternal kingdom, perfectly embodied in Jesus Christ. Tyre's spectacular fall vividly illustrates the fleeting and perishable nature of all human empires, their self-sufficient pride, and their reliance on material wealth—a consistent theme woven throughout the entire tapestry of Scripture. In profound contrast to Tyre's earthly dominion, Christ establishes a kingdom that is not of this world, one that will never be destroyed, and whose "strength" is eternal, spiritual, and utterly unassailable, as prophesied in [Daniel 7:14, "His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom one that will not be destroyed."](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Everlasting Dominion of the Son of Man"). While Tyre's commercial might and arrogant pride ultimately led to its catastrophic downfall, Jesus, the true and rightful King, demonstrated ultimate strength not through worldly power but through profound humility and sacrificial love, willingly laying down His life on the cross to conquer the ultimate enemies of sin and death. Through this decisive act, He established a new covenant of grace and redemption for all who believe, as beautifully articulated in [Philippians 2:5-8, which describes Christ's self-emptying humility and obedience unto death](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation"). The imagery of the unrestricted "passing through" of the land, once Tyre's tightly controlled dominion, can be seen as a powerful shadow of the spiritual freedom, unhindered access to God's presence, and boundless grace that Christ secured for all believers. Through His atoning sacrifice, He tore down the veil of separation, making a new and living way for all to enter the heavenly kingdom and experience true liberation, as highlighted in [Hebrews 10:19-20, which speaks of our confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God Through Christ"). Thus, the demise of earthly strength and pride in Isaiah 23:10 points forward with prophetic precision to the everlasting, redemptive, and transformative strength found solely in the finished work of Christ, who is eternally the true [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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

Isaiah 23:14

Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.

1 Samuel 28:20

¶ Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

Job 12:21

He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.

Psalms 18:32

[It is] God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Haggai 2:22

And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.

Lamentations 1:6

And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty is departed: her princes are become like harts [that] find no pasture, and they are gone without strength before the pursuer.

Romans 5:6

¶ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.