Isaiah 23:14

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

Howl {H3213}, ye ships {H591} of Tarshish {H8659}: for your strength {H4581} is laid waste {H7703}.

Howl, you "Tarshish" ships, because your fortress is destroyed

Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for your harbor has been destroyed!

Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for your stronghold is laid waste.

Commentary

Isaiah 23:14 serves as a stark pronouncement of judgment against the mighty city of Tyre, a prominent commercial hub of the ancient world. The verse commands the "ships of Tarshish" to "howl," signifying a deep lamentation over the impending devastation of Tyre's immense power and prosperity.

Context

Isaiah chapter 23 is a prophetic oracle specifically targeting Tyre, a powerful Phoenician city-state renowned for its extensive maritime trade and immense wealth. Located on the Mediterranean coast, Tyre built its empire through a vast network of trade routes, with its "ships of Tarshish" (large, long-distance vessels named after a distant port, possibly in modern-day Spain) symbolizing the pinnacle of its commercial might and global reach. This verse serves as a declaration of impending doom, signaling the end of Tyre's long-standing prosperity and influence. It echoes similar prophecies against Tyre found elsewhere in the Old Testament, highlighting God's sovereignty over nations and their economies.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse powerfully illustrates God's sovereign control over nations and their economies. Even the most formidable commercial empires are subject to His will and judgment when their pride and idolatry reach a peak.
  • Fall of Pride: Tyre's immense wealth and strategic position often led to arrogance, a common theme in God's judgment against nations. The "laid waste" strength signifies the collapse of a system built on human achievement and self-reliance rather than divine favor.
  • Economic Devastation: The command to "howl" underscores the profound grief and despair that would accompany the complete destruction of Tyre's economic foundation, its "strength" derived from its vast trade network and naval supremacy.
  • Transience of Earthly Power: The sudden collapse of such a powerful entity serves as a powerful reminder that all earthly power, wealth, and influence are temporary and ultimately subservient to God's ultimate authority.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "howl," yalal (Χ™ΧœΧœ), conveys a deep, mournful wail, often associated with intense sorrow, lamentation for the dead, or a cry of profound distress. It is a vivid onomatopoeic word that captures the sound of anguish. The phrase "your strength is laid waste" (literally "your stronghold is a desolation" or "your fortress is devastated") emphasizes the utter devastation of Tyre's economic and naval power, which was once its greatest source of security and pride. This refers to the complete ruin of their commercial and military might.

Practical Application

This prophecy against Tyre serves as a timeless reminder for all generations:

  • It cautions against placing ultimate trust in material possessions, economic stability, or military might, as these can be "laid waste" in an instant. True security and lasting hope are found not in worldly prosperity but in seeking God's kingdom and righteousness first.
  • It reinforces the truth of God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms and their destinies. No nation or empire, no matter how powerful or wealthy, is beyond His divine oversight and judgment.
  • The lamentable fate of Tyre encourages humility and a recognition that pride goes before destruction. It calls us to examine where our ultimate trust lies and to acknowledge God as the source of all true strength and enduring prosperity.
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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 23:1

    ΒΆ 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.

  • Isaiah 2:16

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

  • Isaiah 23:6

    Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.

  • Revelation 18:11

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

  • Revelation 18:19

    And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

  • Ezekiel 27:25

    The ships of Tarshish did sing of thee in thy market: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the midst of the seas.

  • Ezekiel 27:30

    And shall cause their voice to be heard against thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes:
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