Isaiah 23:18

KJV

And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.

KJV (with Strong's)

And her merchandise {H5504} and her hire {H868} shall be holiness {H6944} to the LORD {H3068}: it shall not be treasured {H686} nor laid up {H2630}; for her merchandise {H5504} shall be for them that dwell {H3427} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, to eat {H398} sufficiently {H7654}, and for durable {H6266} clothing {H4374}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But her merchandise and profits will be dedicated to ADONAI; they will not be stored up or hoarded, because her profits will be for those living in ADONAI's presence, so that they can eat their fill and wear fine clothing.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet her profits and wages will be set apart to the LORD; they will not be stored or saved, for her profit will go to those who live before the LORD, for abundant food and fine clothing.

American Standard Version

And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to Jehovah: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before Jehovah, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 23:18 culminates a significant oracle against Tyre, a powerful maritime city, by prophesying a remarkable spiritual transformation. Following a period of divine judgment and subsequent restoration, the verse declares that Tyre's immense commercial success and accumulated wealth will no longer serve self-enrichment or worldly pride. Instead, these resources are to be consecrated as "holiness to the LORD," explicitly designated to provide sufficient food and durable clothing for those dedicated to God's service. This profound declaration signifies a radical repurposing of material prosperity, shifting its ultimate purpose from human gain to divine glory and the sustained provision of God's people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 23 forms part of a larger collection of "burdens" or prophetic oracles against foreign nations found in [Isaiah 13-23](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13-23 - Oracles Against Nations"). The chapter specifically targets Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city. The oracle begins with a lament over Tyre's impending destruction and humiliation (Isaiah 23:1-14), depicting its fall as a source of dismay for its trading partners. A period of seventy years of desolation is prophesied (Isaiah 23:15), likened to the lifespan of a king or the duration of an empire. Following this period, Tyre is envisioned as returning to its commercial activities, but with a profoundly altered purpose. Verse 18 serves as the climactic and redemptive conclusion to this prophecy, shifting the focus from judgment and economic restoration to a radical reorientation of Tyre’s very identity—its wealth and commerce—towards God. This transformation underscores God's ultimate sovereignty not only in judgment but also in His capacity to redeem and repurpose nations for His divine purposes.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was an ancient Phoenician city-state, renowned as an island fortress and a dominant maritime power. Its vast wealth was derived from extensive trade networks that spanned the Mediterranean, and it was celebrated for its skilled artisans, particularly in the production of valuable purple dye, metalwork, and shipbuilding. Culturally, Tyre epitomized worldly prosperity, commercial pride, and self-sufficiency. The prophecies against Tyre in Isaiah likely allude to historical sieges, most notably by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon in the early 6th century BCE, which significantly diminished Tyre's power, and later by Alexander the Great in the late 4th century BCE. The "seventy years" mentioned in [Isaiah 23:15](/isaiah/23-15 "Isaiah 23:15 - Tyre Forgotten for Seventy Years") is often interpreted symbolically as a significant period of desolation or literally in connection with the Babylonian exile. The cultural significance of Tyre's "merchandise" and "hire" cannot be overstated; these represented the very core of its identity and power, making their consecration to the LORD a profound and unexpected reversal of its deeply ingrained worldly values.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several key themes pervasive throughout the book of Isaiah and broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty** over all nations, demonstrating God's absolute authority to orchestrate the rise and fall of empires and to redirect their destinies according to His will. This is a consistent message throughout Isaiah, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 40:23](/isaiah/40-23 "Isaiah 40:23 - God Brings Princes to Nothing"). Secondly, it introduces the theme of the **Consecration of Wealth**, challenging the common human tendency to hoard or misuse material prosperity for selfish ends. Here, Tyre's immense wealth is to be made "holiness to the LORD," transforming it from a source of pride and idolatry into an instrument for God's kingdom. This resonates deeply with the biblical principle that all resources ultimately belong to God and should be used for His glory, a truth echoed in [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's"). Thirdly, the verse emphasizes **Provision for God's Servants**, specifying that the consecrated wealth is for "them that dwell before the LORD," ensuring their sustenance and enabling their dedicated service. This theme of supporting those who minister is a consistent thread throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament Levitical system to the New Testament's directives for supporting gospel workers, as noted in [1 Timothy 5:18](/1_timothy/5-18 "1 Timothy 5:18 - Laborer Deserves His Wages").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Merchandise (Hebrew, _çachar'_):** From H5504, meaning "profit (from trade); merchandise." This term specifically refers to the commercial gains and economic profits derived from Tyre's extensive and lucrative trading activities. Its consecration implies that the very essence of Tyre's economic identity and worldly success is to be transformed and dedicated to God, signifying a radical shift from self-enrichment and pride to divine service and glory.
* **Holiness (Hebrew, _qôdesh'_):** From H6944, meaning "a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity; consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness." This word carries immense theological weight, denoting something set apart exclusively for God's use and purposes, implying a state of purity and separation from the common or profane. When applied to Tyre's merchandise, it signifies a complete spiritual transformation of its wealth from common, secular gain to something sacred and devoted entirely to the LORD, echoing the inscription "Holiness to the LORD" on the high priest's turban in [Exodus 28:36](/exodus/28-36 "Exodus 28:36 - Holiness to the LORD on the High Priest's Turban").
* **Laid up (Hebrew, _châçan'_):** From H2630, meaning "a primitive root; properly, to (be) compact; by implication, to hoard; lay up." This word, along with "treasured," describes the act of accumulating and storing wealth for personal security, future use, or selfish gain. The explicit prohibition against Tyre's consecrated wealth being "laid up" underscores that this transformed prosperity is not for hoarding or personal accumulation, but for immediate and active deployment in God's service, directly countering the materialistic mindset that previously defined Tyre.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD:":** This opening declaration announces a radical and unexpected transformation of Tyre's commercial profits and earnings. Instead of being utilized for worldly accumulation, self-glorification, or the perpetuation of its own power, these resources are to be completely set apart and dedicated solely to God. This signifies a profound spiritual reorientation, where the very engine of Tyre's economy—its material wealth—is repurposed as an instrument for divine purposes rather than a source of human pride or idolatry.
* **"it shall not be treasured nor laid up;":** This negative injunction serves as a crucial clarification and emphatic prohibition. It explicitly states that the consecrated wealth is not to be hoarded, stored for personal security, or invested for selfish gain. The Hebrew terms for "treasured" (H686, _'âtsar'_) and "laid up" (H2630, _châçan'_) both convey the idea of accumulating and preserving resources for future personal benefit or luxury. This prohibition underscores that this transformed wealth is intended for immediate and active deployment in God's service, preventing any return to the materialistic and self-serving mindset that previously characterized Tyre.
* **"for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.":** This final clause specifies the precise and practical purpose of the consecrated wealth. It is designated to provide for those who are dedicated to God's service, typically referring to priests, Levites, or other devout individuals who live in God's presence and serve Him. The provision is both essential and comprehensive: "to eat sufficiently" (H7654, _sobʻâh'_, satiety) ensures their sustenance and freedom from want, while "durable clothing" (H6266, _ʻâthîyq'_, antique/splendid; H4374, _mᵉkaççeh'_, covering/garment) implies long-lasting and appropriate attire, enabling them to fulfill their sacred duties without material distractions or concerns. This highlights God's faithful care for His servants and the practical outworking of consecrated resources in supporting His kingdom work.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 23:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its transformative message. **Personification** is evident in the portrayal of Tyre, a city-state, as possessing "merchandise" and "hire" that can be consecrated, thereby imbuing the city with a moral agency in its spiritual transformation. The central and most profound device is **Symbolism**, where Tyre's wealth, traditionally representing worldly pride, commercialism, and self-sufficiency, is dramatically transformed into "holiness to the LORD." This symbolizes a complete reorientation from the secular and self-serving to the sacred and divinely purposed. This transformation also presents a stark **Antithesis** between the former practice of "treasuring" and "laying up" wealth for selfish accumulation and the new, divinely ordained purpose of immediate, sufficient provision for God's dedicated servants. Furthermore, the phrase "holiness to the LORD" functions as a potent **Allusion** or **Intertextuality**, directly referencing the sacred inscription on the high priest's turban in [Exodus 28:36](/exodus/28-36 "Exodus 28:36 - Holiness to the LORD on the High Priest's Turban"), thereby elevating Tyre's consecrated wealth to a level of profound sacred dedication and divine ownership.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 23:18 offers a profound theological statement about God's redemptive power and His sovereign claim over all creation, including the wealth and resources of nations. It demonstrates that even the most worldly and self-serving resources can be transformed, sanctified, and repurposed for divine objectives. This vision challenges the notion of a strict dichotomy between the sacred and the secular, suggesting that all aspects of life, including economic activity and material prosperity, can ultimately be brought under God's dominion and consecrated for His glory. The verse also underscores God's unwavering commitment to providing for those who dedicate their lives to Him, ensuring that their material needs are met so they can focus wholeheartedly on their spiritual service and ministry without distraction. This divine provision empowers faithful service and underscores the interconnectedness of material resources and spiritual mission.

* [Isaiah 60:5-7](/isaiah/60-5-7 "Isaiah 60:5-7 - Wealth of the Nations Brought to Zion") - This passage vividly describes the wealth of the Gentiles, including the "abundance of the sea" and the "wealth of the nations," being brought to Jerusalem, echoing the theme of nations dedicating their resources to God's people and His temple in the eschatological age.
* [Zechariah 14:20-21](/zechariah/14-20-21 "Zechariah 14:20-21 - Holiness on Bells and Pots") - In a powerful eschatological vision, even the bells on horses and every common pot in Jerusalem are declared "Holiness to the LORD," signifying a universal and pervasive sanctification where all things, even the most mundane, are consecrated to God in His coming kingdom.
* [1 Corinthians 9:11-14](/1_corinthians/9-11-14 "1 Corinthians 9:11-14 - Support for Gospel Workers") - The Apostle Paul articulates the New Testament principle that those who minister spiritual things should be supported materially, reinforcing the enduring idea of providing for "them that dwell before the LORD" in the context of gospel ministry and the sustenance of those dedicated to spreading the Word.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 23:18 serves as a powerful and enduring challenge for believers today, prompting us to critically re-evaluate our relationship with material possessions, professional endeavors, and financial stewardship. Just as Tyre's commercial profits were destined to be transformed from instruments of worldly pride into "holiness to the LORD," so too are we called to consecrate our own resources, talents, and even our careers to God's purposes. This means actively resisting the pervasive temptation to hoard wealth for personal security, luxury, or selfish accumulation. Instead, it compels us to actively seek ways to deploy our "merchandise and hire" for the advancement of God's kingdom, the support of His servants, the care of the vulnerable, and the spread of the Gospel. The verse reminds us that every aspect of our lives, including our economic activity and vocational pursuits, can be redeemed and utilized for divine glory, becoming a conduit for God's provision and a living testament to His transformative power in a world often consumed by materialism.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "holiness to the LORD" apply specifically to your personal finances, career choices, and professional pursuits?**
* **In what practical and tangible ways can you ensure that your "merchandise and hire" are not "treasured nor laid up" for selfish gain, but actively used for God's purposes and the flourishing of His kingdom?**
* **Who are "them that dwell before the LORD" in your contemporary context (e.g., missionaries, pastors, those in full-time ministry, or those serving the poor), and how can you contribute to their "sufficient" provision and "durable clothing" (i.e., their sustenance and effectiveness in ministry)?**
* **What aspects of your life, which might currently seem purely secular or disconnected from faith, could God transform and consecrate for His glory, much like the radical repurposing of Tyre's wealth?**

### FAQ
**Who are "them that dwell before the LORD" in this verse?**

Answer: In the Old Testament context, "them that dwell (H3427, _yâshab'_) before (H6440, _pânîym'_) the LORD" typically refers to those who are dedicated to God's service and live in His immediate presence. This primarily includes the priests and Levites who ministered in the Tabernacle or Temple, as well as other devout individuals who committed their lives to serving God and His people. These individuals were set apart for spiritual duties and often relied on the offerings, tithes, and provisions from the community for their sustenance. The verse implies that Tyre's transformed wealth would contribute directly to the material provision of these dedicated servants, enabling them to continue their sacred calling without material distraction or want.

**What is the significance of the wealth "not being treasured nor laid up"?**

Answer: The phrase "it shall not be treasured (H686, _'âtsar'_) nor laid up (H2630, _châçan'_)" carries profound significance. It explicitly emphasizes that the consecrated wealth is not intended for personal accumulation, hoarding, or selfish investment. Both Hebrew terms denote storing away resources for future security, personal luxury, or the building of personal empires. By prohibiting this, the prophecy underscores a radical departure from Tyre's previous materialistic values and its self-serving economic practices. The wealth, once sanctified, is to be used actively and immediately for God's purposes, specifically for the sustenance of His servants, rather than becoming a source of pride, covetousness, or a means of human power. It signifies a complete redirection of purpose from self-serving gain to selfless devotion and active deployment for divine ends.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 23:18, with its vision of a worldly nation's wealth being consecrated to the LORD and used to sustain His people, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the establishment of His kingdom. Christ's redemptive work transforms not only individual hearts but also the very fabric of society and its resources, bringing all things under His benevolent reign. The "merchandise and hire" of the nations, once devoted to idolatry, self-aggrandizement, and worldly pursuits, are ultimately brought into submission to the [King of Kings and Lord of Lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"). Through the power of the Gospel, individuals from every tribe, tongue, and nation are redeemed, and their talents, wealth, and influence are now made available for the advancement of God's kingdom on earth. The New Testament church, empowered by the [Holy Spirit](/acts/2-4 "Acts 2:4 - Filled with the Holy Spirit"), embodies this principle as believers willingly share their resources to provide for the needs of the saints and to spread the good news, as vividly depicted in the communal life described in [Acts 2:44-45](/acts/2-44-45 "Acts 2:44-45 - Early Church Shared All Things") and [Acts 4:34-35](/acts/4-34-35 "Acts 4:34-35 - No Needy Among Them"). Ultimately, this prophecy points forward to the eschatological reality where the "kings of the earth" bring their glory and honor into the [New Jerusalem](/revelation/21-24 "Revelation 21:24 - Kings Bring Their Glory into New Jerusalem"), signifying a complete and universal consecration of all earthly power and wealth to God's eternal reign, all made possible through the atoning work, triumphant resurrection, and glorious reign of Christ.

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

Psalms 72:10

The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

Philippians 4:17

Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.

Philippians 4:18

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things [which were sent] from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

Deuteronomy 26:12

¶ When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, [which is] the year of tithing, and hast given [it] unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;

Deuteronomy 26:14

I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away [ought] thereof for [any] unclean [use], nor given [ought] thereof for the dead: [but] I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, [and] have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.

Deuteronomy 12:18

But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that [is] within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.

Deuteronomy 12:19

Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.