Isaiah 23:14

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 23:14 delivers a powerful prophetic lament, commanding the "ships of Tarshish"—representatives of Tyre's vast maritime empire—to "howl" in anguish. This decree signifies the catastrophic and irreversible destruction of Tyre's immense commercial and military "strength," which had been the source of its pride and global influence. The verse serves as a stark declaration of divine judgment, signaling the complete downfall of a seemingly impregnable economic superpower and underscoring God's ultimate sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms and their transient might.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 23 is a distinct prophetic oracle, part of a larger collection of "burdens" or "oracles" (chapters 13-23) pronounced by the prophet Isaiah against various foreign nations. Following prophecies against Babylon, Philistia, Moab, Damascus, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Arabia, this chapter specifically targets Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city-state. The oracle begins with a declaration of devastation (vv. 1-6), then shifts to questions of Tyre's origins and pride (vv. 7-9), before detailing the extent of its fall (vv. 10-14). Our verse, [Isaiah 23:14](/isaiah/23-14 "Isaiah 23:14 - Prophecy Against Tyre"), serves as a climactic pronouncement of the judgment, emphasizing the complete collapse of the city's power, echoed by the call for its most iconic symbols—the ships of Tarshish—to mourn. The chapter concludes with a seventy-year period of desolation, followed by a partial restoration, yet still under divine control (vv. 15-18).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was a powerful Phoenician city-state located on the eastern Mediterranean coast, renowned for its maritime trade and immense wealth. Its strategic location, natural harbors, and skilled sailors allowed it to establish an extensive network of colonies and trade routes across the Mediterranean, reaching as far as Tarshish (likely in modern-day Spain). The "ships of Tarshish" were large, ocean-going vessels capable of long-distance voyages, symbolizing Tyre's commercial prowess, naval supremacy, and global reach. Historically, Tyre faced sieges from various empires, including the Assyrians, Babylonians (under Nebuchadnezzar II, which aligns with the timing of Isaiah's prophecies), and later, the Greeks (under Alexander the Great). The city's immense wealth and perceived invincibility often fostered an arrogant spirit, which is a key target of God's judgment in this prophecy, as seen in parallel prophecies against Tyre in [Ezekiel 26-28](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel 26 - Prophecy Against Tyre").
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader oracle against Tyre, powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah and the prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment** against national pride and idolatry, demonstrating God's sovereign control over all nations, regardless of their perceived strength or wealth. Tyre's fall illustrates that no earthly power is beyond God's reach or immune to His justice. Secondly, it highlights the **Transience of Earthly Power and Wealth**. Tyre, a symbol of human achievement and economic might, is shown to be utterly vulnerable and subject to collapse, reinforcing the biblical truth that all human endeavors and material possessions are fleeting. Thirdly, the lament of the "ships of Tarshish" emphasizes **Economic Devastation** as a consequence of judgment, illustrating how the very foundations of a nation's prosperity can be "laid waste" when it defies God. This serves as a warning against placing ultimate trust in material security rather than divine favor, a recurring motif in the wisdom literature, such as [Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Proverbs 11:28 - Trust in Riches").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Howl (Hebrew, _yâlal'_):** This primitive root (H3213) conveys a deep, mournful wail or a boisterous yell. It is an onomatopoeic word, vividly capturing the sound of intense sorrow, lamentation for the dead, or a cry of profound distress. In this context, it is a command for the ships—personified—to engage in a public display of grief, signifying the catastrophic and irreversible nature of Tyre's downfall.
* **ships (Hebrew, _ʼŏnîyâh'_):** This feminine noun (H591) simply means "a ship" or "ship-men." Here, "ships of Tarshish" refers not merely to vessels but to the entire fleet that represented Tyre's commercial and naval power. These ships were the lifeblood of Tyre's economy, and their forced lamentation symbolizes the complete paralysis and ruin of its global trade and influence.
* **strength (Hebrew, _mâʻôwz'_):** This noun (H4581) can mean "a fortified place," "a defense," "force," "fortress," or "rock." Figuratively, it denotes the source of power, security, and stability. For Tyre, its "strength" was its impregnable island city, its vast wealth, its naval supremacy, and its extensive trade network. The declaration that this "strength is laid waste" signifies the utter demolition of everything Tyre relied upon for its security and prosperity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Howl, ye ships of Tarshish:"** This is a direct, imperative command, personifying the ships as if they are sentient beings capable of expressing deep sorrow. The "ships of Tarshish" are not just vessels; they are the embodiment of Tyre's global reach, its economic engine, and its pride. The command to "howl" signifies a profound, public lamentation, a wailing over an irreparable loss, indicating the complete cessation of their profitable voyages and the collapse of the maritime empire they represent.
* **"for your strength is laid waste."** This clause provides the devastating reason for the lamentation. Tyre's "strength"—its wealth, its fortifications, its naval power, and its commercial network—is utterly demolished. The phrase "laid waste" (from H7703, _shâdad'_, meaning to ravage, destroy, or spoil) emphasizes the complete and violent destruction of Tyre's foundations, rendering it desolate and powerless. This signifies the end of its economic dominance and its status as a global commercial hub.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 23:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of impending doom. The most prominent is **Personification**, where the "ships of Tarshish" are commanded to "howl." Ships, being inanimate objects, cannot literally wail, but this device vividly portrays the depth of the impending sorrow and the catastrophic impact on Tyre's entire commercial enterprise. It suggests that even the very instruments of Tyre's prosperity will mourn its demise. The phrase "your strength is laid waste" uses **Metonymy**, where "strength" stands in for the entire city of Tyre, its fortifications, wealth, and naval power—the very things that constituted its might. The declaration itself is a **Prophetic Oracle**, a divine pronouncement of future events, characterized by its authoritative tone and direct address. The overall tone is one of **Lamentation** and **Hyperbole**, as the complete and utter desolation described suggests a destruction so absolute that it warrants a universal cry of anguish, emphasizing the magnitude of Tyre's fall from its pinnacle of power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 23:14 profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and their economies, serving as a powerful reminder that earthly power and wealth are ultimately transient and subject to divine judgment. Tyre's fall, a city renowned for its commercial might and pride, underscores the biblical principle that human achievements, when pursued apart from God or leading to arrogance, are destined for collapse. This prophecy warns against placing ultimate trust in material possessions or strategic advantages, urging a recognition that true security and lasting hope reside solely in God. It highlights the recurring prophetic theme that God opposes the proud and exalts the humble, demonstrating His justice against those who rely on their own strength rather than His divine favor.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Ezekiel 28:2-5](/ezekiel/28-2 "Ezekiel 28:2-5 - Prophecy Against the King of Tyre")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The prophecy against Tyre in Isaiah 23:14 serves as a timeless mirror for individuals and nations today, challenging where we place our ultimate trust and derive our sense of security. In a world often driven by economic prosperity, technological advancement, and national power, this verse reminds us that all earthly foundations are impermanent and subject to the sovereign will of God. It calls us to examine our hearts: do we find our identity, security, and hope in our financial portfolios, career achievements, national strength, or social status? Or do we recognize these as fleeting gifts, ultimately dependent on the Giver? The "howling" of the ships of Tarshish is a somber call to humility, urging us to shift our reliance from perishable earthly "strength" to the unshakeable and eternal strength found in God alone. It encourages a posture of dependence, gratitude, and righteous stewardship, rather than pride and self-sufficiency, ensuring that our ultimate allegiance and trust are rightly placed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "strength" or sources of security do I tend to rely on most in my life (e.g., finances, career, relationships, reputation)?**
* **How does the transient nature of Tyre's power challenge my own perspective on wealth and success?**
* **In what ways might I be prone to pride or self-sufficiency, similar to ancient Tyre?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God as my ultimate strength and security, rather than in worldly resources?**

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

Answer: The "ships of Tarshish" (Hebrew: *ʼŏnîyâh Tarshîysh*) refers to large, robust, ocean-going vessels capable of long-distance voyages, typically associated with the port of Tarshish (likely in modern-day Spain or another distant location). In the context of Tyre, these ships symbolized the pinnacle of its commercial power, its extensive maritime trade network, and its global reach. They were the very instruments of Tyre's immense wealth and influence, making their command to "howl" a powerful metaphor for the complete collapse of Tyre's economic empire, as seen in [Psalm 48:7](/psalm/48-7 "Psalm 48:7 - God Shatters Ships of Tarshish").

**Why is Tyre being judged so harshly?**

Answer: Tyre, while commercially powerful, was often characterized by its arrogance, self-sufficiency, and exploitation of others. Prophecies against Tyre, including those in [Ezekiel 26-28](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel 26 - Prophecy Against Tyre"), highlight its pride in its wealth, its perceived invincibility, and its role in the slave trade. God's judgment against Tyre, as against other nations, was a demonstration of His sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms and His justice against those who exalted themselves and defied His moral order. The "laying waste" of its strength was a direct consequence of its pride and idolatry, serving as a warning against placing ultimate trust in human achievement and material prosperity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The judgment pronounced upon Tyre and its "ships of Tarshish" in Isaiah 23:14 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a literal destruction of all earthly commerce, but in the revelation of a kingdom whose "strength" is not of this world and which cannot be "laid waste." Christ's coming inaugurated a new order where true power is found not in human might or material wealth, but in humility, sacrifice, and divine grace. The pride and self-reliance that characterized Tyre are precisely what Jesus condemned, warning against the futility of storing up earthly treasures where moth and rust destroy ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")). He Himself, the King of kings, did not come on a ship of Tarshish, but on a humble donkey, embodying a different kind of strength—one that conquers sin and death through self-giving love. The ultimate "laid waste" is not of a city, but of the power of sin and death through Christ's crucifixion and resurrection ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). Furthermore, the lament over a fallen earthly kingdom foreshadows the final judgment described in Revelation, where the great commercial city of "Babylon" (symbolizing all corrupt worldly systems) is utterly destroyed, and merchants "howl" over its demise, declaring that "in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!" ([Revelation 18:17-19](/revelation/18-17 "Revelation 18:17-19 - Lament Over Babylon")). This ultimate judgment makes way for the eternal, unshakeable kingdom of God, where Christ reigns supreme, and His people find their true and lasting strength in Him ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken")).

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 23:1

¶ 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.

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: