Isaiah 23:17

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 23:17 prophesies a future for Tyre, the ancient Phoenician maritime power, after a divinely appointed period of seventy years of desolation. This verse reveals that the LORD will "visit" Tyre, allowing it to resume its extensive commercial activities. However, this restoration is not presented as a spiritual revival or a return to righteousness, but rather a reassertion of its characteristic global trade, vividly described as "turning to her hire" and "committing fornication with all the kingdoms of the world," highlighting a persistent pattern of unprincipled, self-serving economic alliances and a relentless pursuit of profit.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 23 forms a distinct "burden" or oracle, one of several prophecies against foreign nations found in Isaiah 13-23. Specifically, it targets Tyre, a preeminent Phoenician city-state renowned for its naval power and mercantile empire. The preceding verses (Isaiah 23:1-14) detail Tyre's impending destruction and humiliation, lamenting its fall from glory as a global trading power. The "seventy years" mentioned in verse 15 and reiterated here in verse 17 marks a specific, divinely ordained period of desolation, after which a partial restoration is foreseen. This verse serves as a concluding statement to the oracle, emphasizing that even after a period of divine judgment, Tyre's inherent nature—its commercial ambition and unprincipled pursuit of wealth—would reassert itself. It contrasts sharply with a more hopeful, albeit still conditional, future for Tyre alluded to in [Isaiah 23:18](/isaiah/23-18 "Isaiah 23:18 - Tyre's Future Offerings"), where its profits might one day be consecrated to the LORD.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was a formidable city, strategically located on the Mediterranean coast, renowned for its naval fleet, extensive trade networks, and the production of highly prized purple dye. It was a hub of international commerce, often called the "mistress of kingdoms" due to its vast economic influence. The "seventy years" of desolation likely refers to the period of Babylonian subjugation under Nebuchadnezzar, which significantly impacted Tyre's power and trade, though a complete seventy-year siege is not historically attested for Tyre specifically. This period parallels the seventy-year exile prophesied for Judah in [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Seventy Years of Desolation") and [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Seventy Years of Exile"), suggesting a common period of divine judgment for the region. Culturally, the metaphor of a city "turning to her hire" and "committing fornication" would have been readily understood. In the ancient Near East, "hire" (or "harlot's wages") was associated with prostitution, and "fornication" or "harlotry" was a common prophetic metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness, idolatry, or illicit political and economic alliances with foreign powers that compromised a nation's covenant relationship with God. Here, it is applied to Tyre's unrestrained and morally compromised commercial dealings.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores **Divine Sovereignty** over all nations, demonstrating that even the most powerful and self-sufficient commercial empires are subject to the LORD's will and timing. It also highlights the **Cycles of Judgment and Conditional Restoration**, where a period of divine discipline is followed by a return to former ways, rather than true repentance or spiritual transformation. Most significantly, it vividly portrays the **Nature of Commercialism and Unholy Alliances**. Tyre's "fornication" symbolizes the dangers of unchecked materialism and the pursuit of profit at any cost, where economic gain becomes an idol, leading to morally compromised partnerships and a disregard for ethical boundaries. This theme resonates with warnings against the love of money found in [1 Timothy 6:10](/1_timothy/6-10 "1 Timothy 6:10 - The Root of All Evil") and the spiritual dangers of serving wealth instead of God as articulated in [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Cannot Serve Two Masters"). The prophet emphasizes that Tyre's inherent character, driven by avarice, would reassert itself even after severe judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **visit (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** This primitive root carries a wide semantic range, meaning "to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit." In the context of divine action, _pâqad_ signifies God's active intervention or attention. Here, "the LORD will visit Tyre" indicates a divine intervention that allows for the cessation of its desolation and the resumption of its commercial life, rather than a visit of judgment or blessing in a redemptive sense. It implies God's sovereign permission for Tyre to return to its former activities, underscoring His ultimate control over the city's destiny.
* **hire (Hebrew, _ʼethnan'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to give," this word specifically refers to a "gift (as the price of harlotry or idolatry); hire, reward." It denotes the wages or payment received for illicit sexual services. In Isaiah 23:17, Tyre's "hire" is a powerful metaphor for the profits and gains it accrues through its morally compromised, indiscriminate commercial dealings. It signifies the illicit or unprincipled nature of its renewed trade, likening its economic pursuits to the transactional nature of prostitution, where self-interest and material gain supersede ethical considerations.
* **commit fornication (Hebrew, _zânâh'_):** This primitive root means "to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (the Jewish people being regarded as the spouse of Jehovah)." In prophetic literature, _zânâh_ is a potent metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness, idolatry, or illicit alliances with foreign powers that compromise devotion to God. Applied to Tyre, it describes its relentless and morally unprincipled pursuit of wealth and trade connections with all nations, prioritizing profit over any ethical or spiritual considerations. This "economic harlotry" mirrors the spiritual harlotry condemned elsewhere in Scripture, emphasizing a betrayal of true values for worldly gain.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years,"**: This clause establishes a specific divine timetable for Tyre's desolation and subsequent restoration. The "seventy years" signify a divinely appointed period of judgment and inactivity for the city, mirroring the duration of Judah's Babylonian exile. It underscores God's meticulous control over historical events and the destinies of nations, demonstrating that even the most powerful human enterprises are subject to His sovereign clock.
* **"that the LORD will visit Tyre,"**: This signifies God's active and sovereign involvement in Tyre's future. The visitation here is not necessarily punitive but rather an act of divine attention that allows for a change in Tyre's circumstances, enabling it to emerge from its period of desolation. It is God who orchestrates the timing and nature of its restoration, highlighting His ultimate authority even over a pagan commercial empire.
* **"and she shall turn to her hire,"**: This phrase indicates Tyre's immediate post-visitation activity and its primary motivation. "Her hire" refers to the profits or wages gained from its commercial activities, especially those pursued without moral constraint, akin to a prostitute returning to her trade. It suggests that Tyre's fundamental character remains unchanged; its primary motivation is economic gain, and its restored activity will be characterized by the same self-serving and ethically ambiguous practices that defined its past.
* **"and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth."**: This is the most vivid and damning part of the prophecy. The "fornication" is a powerful metaphor for Tyre's indiscriminate and unprincipled commercial dealings. It implies that Tyre will engage in trade with any nation, regardless of moral or political alignment, solely for profit. The phrase "all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth" emphasizes the global reach and pervasive nature of Tyre's commercial "harlotry," highlighting its relentless pursuit of wealth across the known world, prioritizing gain over integrity or loyalty.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 23:17 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Personification** is central, as Tyre is depicted as a harlot or prostitute. This transforms the city-state from an inanimate entity into a living character capable of moral action, making its "turning to her hire" and "committing fornication" a vivid and visceral image of its economic and moral character. The entire description of Tyre's commercial activity as "fornication" is a potent **metaphor**. This metaphor extends beyond mere illicit sexual activity to symbolize spiritual unfaithfulness, idolatry, and morally compromised alliances, particularly in the context of economic pursuits. It suggests that Tyre's relentless pursuit of wealth with all nations is akin to a betrayal of true values or a form of idolatry where profit is worshipped. Furthermore, the phrase "all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth" serves as a form of **hyperbole**, emphasizing the vast extent and indiscriminate nature of Tyre's global trade, underlining its insatiable commercial ambition and its pervasive influence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 23:17 offers profound theological insights into God's sovereignty over human affairs, especially over the rise and fall of nations and their economic systems. It teaches that even powerful commercial empires, seemingly self-sufficient and globally influential, operate within the bounds of God's ultimate authority and timetable. The prophecy highlights the inherent dangers of unchecked materialism and economic idolatry, where the pursuit of profit becomes an all-consuming passion, leading to moral compromise and unprincipled alliances. Tyre's "fornication" serves as a timeless warning against prioritizing worldly gain over integrity, righteousness, or faithfulness to God, revealing that true prosperity is not merely material accumulation but is rooted in ethical conduct and divine favor.

* [Ezekiel 28:1-19](/ezekiel/28-1-19 "Ezekiel's Prophecy Against the King of Tyre")
* [Revelation 18:11-19](/revelation/18-11-19 "Lament Over the Fall of Babylon the Great")
* [Hosea 4:12](/hosea/4-12 "Israel's Spiritual Harlotry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 23:17 serves as a powerful cautionary tale for individuals, communities, and nations in every age, including our own. It challenges us to examine the underlying motivations and ethical frameworks of our economic pursuits. When the accumulation of wealth and the expansion of trade become the ultimate goals, divorced from moral principles or a commitment to justice, they can lead to practices that exploit others, compromise integrity, and foster unholy alliances. This verse calls us to consider whether our economic activities, personal or corporate, are characterized by a relentless pursuit of "hire"—profit at any cost—or by a commitment to righteous stewardship and ethical conduct that honors God and serves humanity. It reminds us that true prosperity is not merely material accumulation but is rooted in faithfulness to God and a just engagement with the world. Believers are called to be salt and light in the marketplace, demonstrating integrity and compassion, rather than mirroring the world's "fornication" by prioritizing gain above all else.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How might unchecked commercial ambition manifest in our lives or society today, echoing Tyre's "fornication"?**
* **What does it mean for a nation or individual to "turn to her hire" in an economic sense, and what are the potential spiritual and ethical consequences?**
* **How can believers engage in commerce and financial dealings ethically, avoiding "fornication" with the world's systems while honoring God's sovereignty and pursuing His kingdom first?**

### FAQ

**What do the "seventy years" in this prophecy refer to?**

Answer: The "seventy years" mentioned in Isaiah 23:17, and also in verse 15, is widely understood by scholars to refer to a period of desolation and subjugation for Tyre, likely at the hands of the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar. While a literal seventy-year siege on Tyre is not explicitly recorded, this period signifies a divinely appointed duration of judgment and diminished influence. It parallels the seventy-year Babylonian exile prophesied for Judah in [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Seventy Years of Desolation") and [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Seventy Years of Exile"), suggesting a common period of divine discipline for the nations in the region. After this period of divine judgment, Tyre was permitted by God to regain some of its former commercial prominence, though not necessarily its full political independence, highlighting God's sovereign control over the destinies of nations.

**Why is Tyre's commercial activity described as "fornication"?**

Answer: The description of Tyre's commercial activity as "fornication" (or harlotry) is a powerful prophetic metaphor, common in biblical literature to denote spiritual unfaithfulness. In this context, it highlights Tyre's relentless and indiscriminate pursuit of profit with "all the kingdoms of the world." For Tyre, a city renowned for its vast global trade, this metaphor implies that it would engage in any commercial partnership, regardless of ethical, moral, or even political alignment, solely for economic gain. This "economic harlotry" suggests that wealth and commerce had become an idol for Tyre, leading it to compromise its integrity and pursue self-interest above all else, much like a prostitute sells herself to anyone for "hire." This imagery is also used elsewhere in Scripture to describe Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness through idolatry and illicit alliances, such as in [Hosea 4:12](/hosea/4-12 "Hosea 4 - Israel's Spiritual Harlotry").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 23:17 specifically addresses the commercial fate of ancient Tyre, its underlying themes find profound Christ-centered fulfillment and application. The prophecy of Tyre's return to "fornication" with the kingdoms of the world underscores the persistent human tendency towards idolatry, particularly the worship of wealth and worldly systems. In Christ, we see the ultimate alternative to this "harlotry." Jesus declared that His kingdom is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), standing in stark contrast to the worldly kingdoms driven by profit and power. He teaches that one "cannot serve God and money" ([Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Cannot Serve Two Masters")), calling His followers to a singular devotion to God alone. The New Testament consistently warns against the "spirit of the world" ([1 Corinthians 2:12](/1_corinthians/2-12 "1 Corinthians 2:12 - The Spirit of God and the Spirit of the World")) and the love of money, which is a "root of all kinds of evil" ([1 Timothy 6:10](/1_timothy/6-10 "1 Timothy 6:10 - The Root of All Evil")). Christ's redemptive work liberates believers from the bondage of worldly systems and calls them to live by kingdom principles, where integrity, justice, and love for God and neighbor supersede the pursuit of material gain. Ultimately, the prophetic vision of Revelation culminates in the New Jerusalem, where there is no more "fornication" or compromise with worldly systems, but perfect devotion to the Lamb, and the "kings of the earth" bring their glory into it, not as a source of idolatry, but as an offering consecrated to God ([Revelation 21:23-27](/revelation/21-23-27 "Revelation 21:23-27 - Glory of the New Jerusalem")).

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

Nahum 3:4

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

[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

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

Revelation 19:2

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

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

Ezekiel 16:31

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

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.