Isaiah 23:17

And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.

And it shall come to pass after the end {H7093} of seventy {H7657} years {H8141}, that the LORD {H3068} will visit {H6485} Tyre {H6865}, and she shall turn {H7725} to her hire {H868}, and shall commit fornication {H2181} with all the kingdoms {H4467} of the world {H776} upon the face {H6440} of the earth {H127}.

After seventy years are over ADONAI will remember Tzor. She will receive her wages again and prostitute herself to all the world's kingdoms on the face of the earth.

And at the end of seventy years, the LORD will restore Tyre. Then she will return to hire as a prostitute and sell herself to all the kingdoms on the face of the earth.

And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that Jehovah will visit Tyre, and she shall return to her hire, and shall play the harlot with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.

Commentary

Context of Isaiah 23:17

Isaiah 23 presents a prophetic oracle primarily concerning Tyre, a powerful and wealthy Phoenician city renowned for its extensive maritime trade and commercial prowess. Historically, Tyre was a significant economic hub, often referred to as the "mistress of kingdoms" due to its global reach. This specific verse, Isaiah 23:17, follows a period of predicted desolation for Tyre, likely referring to its eventual subjugation by the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar, similar to the seventy years of desolation prophesied for Judah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty over Nations: The prophecy underscores God's ultimate control even over powerful commercial empires. Despite Tyre's strength and global influence, its fate is determined by the LORD.
  • Cycles of Judgment and Partial Restoration: The verse indicates that after a period of judgment and silence, Tyre will be "visited" by the LORD, implying a measure of restoration to its former commercial activities. However, this restoration is not presented as spiritual renewal but a return to its old ways.
  • The Nature of Commercialism and Unholy Alliances: The vivid metaphor of Tyre turning "to her hire" and committing "fornication with all the kingdoms of the world" highlights the dangers of unchecked materialism and economic pursuits. It suggests that Tyre's restored trade would be characterized by unprincipled, self-serving alliances and transactions, likened to the unfaithfulness of a prostitute.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "the LORD will visit Tyre" uses the Hebrew verb paqad (ืคึธึผืงึทื“), which can mean to inspect, attend to, or appoint. Depending on the context, it can signify a visit for judgment or for blessing. Here, it signifies divine attention that allows Tyre to resume its commercial activity.
  • The strong imagery of "commit fornication" (Hebrew: ื–ึธื ึธื”, zanah) is frequently used in prophetic literature to denote spiritual unfaithfulness, idolatry, or alliances with foreign powers that compromise devotion to God. In Tyre's context, it metaphorically describes its relentless and morally compromised pursuit of wealth and trade connections with all nations, prioritizing profit over ethical or spiritual considerations. This economic "harlotry" mirrors the spiritual harlotry often condemned in other biblical texts, as seen in the description of Babylon the Great in Revelation.

Practical Application

Isaiah 23:17 serves as a timeless warning about the nature of unchecked commercial ambition and the pursuit of profit at any cost. It challenges us to consider:

  • The Dangers of Materialism: When economic gain becomes the ultimate goal, it can lead to compromising principles, forming alliances based purely on self-interest, and engaging in exploitative practices.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even in complex global economies and political landscapes, God remains sovereign, capable of raising up and bringing down nations and their commercial enterprises.
  • Ethical Conduct in Business: The metaphor of "fornication" calls believers to conduct their commercial dealings with integrity and ethical consideration, avoiding partnerships or practices that compromise their faith or exploit others.
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Cross-References

  • Nahum 3:4 (5 votes)

    Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.

  • Ezekiel 27:6 (4 votes)

    [Of] the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; the company of the Ashurites have made thy benches [of] ivory, [brought] out of the isles of Chittim.

  • Ezekiel 27:36 (4 votes)

    The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never [shalt be] any more.

  • Revelation 19:2 (3 votes)

    For true and righteous [are] his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

  • 1 Timothy 3:3 (2 votes)

    Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

  • Ezekiel 16:31 (2 votes)

    In that thou buildest thine eminent place in the head of every way, and makest thine high place in every street; and hast not been as an harlot, in that thou scornest hire;

  • Micah 3:11 (2 votes)

    The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, [Is] not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.