Isaiah 23:2

KJV

Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.

KJV (with Strong's)

Be still {H1826}, ye inhabitants {H3427} of the isle {H339}; thou whom the merchants {H5503} of Zidon {H6721}, that pass over {H5674} the sea {H3220}, have replenished {H4390}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Silence, you who live on the coast, you who have been enriched by the merchants of Tzidon crossing the sea.

Berean Standard Bible

Be silent, O dwellers of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon, whose traders have crossed the sea.

American Standard Version

Be still, ye inhabitants of the coast, thou whom the merchants of Sidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 23:2 delivers a stark divine imperative to the inhabitants of Tyre, a preeminent maritime power, commanding them to "be still." This verse, embedded within a prophetic oracle of judgment, vividly portrays Tyre's immense prosperity and global influence, which was meticulously built through its extensive trade networks, particularly with Sidon, as merchants ceaselessly traversed the seas, continually "replenishing" the city with an abundance of goods and riches. The divine injunction signals an abrupt and forceful cessation of Tyre's bustling commercial activity and self-assured existence, powerfully underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over even the most formidable earthly empires and their seemingly unshakeable foundations of wealth and pride.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 23 is part of a larger collection of "burdens" or oracles against foreign nations that begins in [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Burden Against Babylon"). These prophecies serve a dual purpose: they demonstrate Yahweh's universal sovereignty, not only over Israel but over all peoples and powers, and they provide a theological framework for understanding the rise and fall of empires in light of God's redemptive plan. Specifically, [Isaiah 23](/isaiah/23 "Isaiah 23 - The Burden Against Tyre") is dedicated entirely to the powerful Phoenician city-state of Tyre, highlighting its impending downfall. The preceding verse, [Isaiah 23:1](/isaiah/23-1 "Isaiah 23:1 - News from the Land of Kittim"), sets a somber tone by announcing the news of Tyre's destruction, originating from the distant land of Kittim (Cyprus), thereby emphasizing the far-reaching impact of its demise. Verse 2 then directly addresses Tyre's inhabitants, immediately contrasting their former vibrant prosperity with the sudden, divinely imposed silence that is about to descend upon them.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was a renowned Phoenician city, celebrated throughout the ancient world for its unparalleled maritime trade, advanced shipbuilding, and extensive colonization efforts across the Mediterranean. Initially a mainland settlement, it evolved into a formidable island fortress, which was widely considered impregnable due to its natural defenses and powerful navy. Its merchants were legendary for their vast wealth, sophisticated commercial practices, and expansive reach, establishing trade routes that stretched from the Atlantic coast of Africa to the Red Sea. Sidon, mentioned in the verse, was an older and equally significant Phoenician city, often acting as a close trading partner, sometimes a rival, but consistently intertwined with Tyre's commercial success. The "isle" unequivocally refers to the island city of Tyre, whose very existence and prosperity were inextricably linked to its sea connections for both defense and commerce. The period of Isaiah's prophecy, primarily the 8th century BCE, was marked by the relentless expansion of the Assyrian Empire, and later the Babylonian Empire, which frequently threatened and eventually subjugated these prosperous city-states, thereby illustrating the inherent political and military vulnerabilities of even the most powerful nations in the ancient Near East.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes found within the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it powerfully asserts **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, unequivocally demonstrating that no nation, regardless of its wealth, military might, or perceived invincibility, lies beyond God's ultimate control and righteous judgment. The imperative command "Be still" serves as an emphatic declaration of divine intervention, designed to silence all human activity and pride in the face of God's unassailable decree, a theme powerfully echoed in [Psalm 46:10](/psalm/46-10 "Psalm 46:10 - Be Still and Know That I Am God"). Secondly, it underscores the **Fleeting Nature of Earthly Prosperity and Pride**. Tyre's immense wealth, self-sufficiency, and global influence, all derived from its extensive trade networks, fostered a dangerous sense of invincibility that this prophecy mercilessly shatters, resonating with biblical warnings against trusting in transient riches, as articulated in [Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Proverbs 11:28 - Trusting in Riches"). Lastly, the verse paints a vivid picture of **Commercial Power and its Inherent Vulnerability**, showcasing how Tyre's very identity and strength were intrinsically linked to its role as a global trading hub, yet this very foundation would be decisively shaken and ultimately dismantled by divine judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Be still (Hebrew, _dâmam'_):** This primitive root (H1826) encompasses a rich semantic range, from "to be dumb" or "silent" to "to be astonished," "to stop," or even "to perish." In this context, it functions as a powerful, imperative command, "Be silent!" or "Cease!" It signifies an abrupt, forceful, and divinely imposed cessation of all activity—the incessant bustling of trade, the clamor of the markets, the very vibrant pulse of Tyrian life. It implies a stunned, desolate silence, a divine imposition of quiet where there was once vibrant noise, reflecting a state of shock and desolation in the face of overwhelming judgment.
* **sea (Hebrew, _yâm'_):** Derived from an unused root meaning "to roar," _yâm_ (H3220) refers to a sea or any large body of water, most often specifically the Mediterranean Sea in the context of ancient Israel and Phoenicia. It represents the literal medium over which Tyre's merchants traveled, the primary source of its immense wealth and global connections, and symbolically, the vast expanse that connected Tyre to its sprawling commercial empire. The repeated mention of the sea emphasizes Tyre's fundamental identity as a maritime power, whose very lifeblood flowed across these waters, now ironically becoming the path for the news of its demise and the instrument of its isolation.
* **have replenished (Hebrew, _mâlêʼ'_):** This primitive root (H4390) means "to fill" or "to be full of," applied in a wide range of literal and figurative contexts. Here, it vividly describes how the merchants of Zidon (Sidon) and other trading partners continually "filled," "saturated," or "made abundant" Tyre with an endless influx of goods, wealth, and resources. It paints a compelling picture of the city's immense prosperity, its overflowing warehouses, and the constant influx of material abundance that made it a powerful and seemingly self-sufficient entity, thereby highlighting the very material foundation that the prophecy now threatens to dismantle with divine authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle":** This is a direct, emphatic, and imperative command issued by the prophet, speaking on behalf of God, to the people dwelling on the island city of Tyre. "Be still" (KJV) or "Be silent" (NIV) conveys a profound sense of stunned cessation and forced quietness upon a city renowned for its incessant commercial activity, vibrant markets, and constant noise. It is a divine injunction for the entire bustling life of Tyre to come to an abrupt and non-negotiable halt, signaling the imminence and inevitability of God's judgment upon its pride and self-sufficiency.
* **"thou whom the merchants of Zidon":** This clause precisely identifies a key source of Tyre's prosperity and its extensive commercial connections. Zidon (Sidon) was another major Phoenician city, historically older and often a close trading partner, sometimes a rival, but always deeply intertwined with Tyre's economic fortunes. The "merchants of Zidon" represent the vast and intricate network of Phoenician traders who were instrumental in building Tyre's immense wealth and global influence, thereby underscoring the deep commercial ties that defined the region's economic powerhouses.
* **"that pass over the sea":** This phrase powerfully emphasizes the global reach and inherently maritime nature of Tyre's commerce. The merchants' constant traversing of the sea highlights the vastness and daring of their trade routes, which connected Tyre to distant lands and brought exotic goods to its shores. The sea, which was the very conduit of their prosperity and perceived invincibility, would ironically become the means by which the news of their downfall would spread, and their access to it would be curtailed.
* **"have replenished":** This final clause graphically describes the direct outcome and profound impact of the merchants' ceaseless activities. The word "replenished" signifies that Tyre was continually filled, saturated, and made abundantly rich with a constant influx of goods, wealth, and vital resources through this extensive and highly successful maritime trade. It paints a vivid picture of a city overflowing with riches, a testament to its unparalleled economic power and material abundance, which is now being called to an abrupt and final end by divine decree.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 23:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound prophetic message with striking force. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood**, powerfully demonstrated in the direct command "Be still!" This is not a mere suggestion but a forceful, non-negotiable divine decree, emphasizing God's absolute and unchallengeable authority over human affairs and the sudden, decisive nature of the impending judgment. There is also a subtle yet effective use of **Personification**, as the "inhabitants of the isle" are addressed directly as if they, collectively, can obey the command to cease their activity, thereby highlighting the comprehensive and all-encompassing nature of the judgment that will silence an entire city and its way of life. The vivid description of Tyre being "replenished" by merchants "that pass over the sea" utilizes powerful **Imagery** to paint a rich picture of the city's immense wealth, its bustling activity, and its deep reliance on global trade. This imagery makes the subsequent call to silence all the more striking, as it creates a stark and dramatic contrast with Tyre's former vibrancy and perceived invincibility. Furthermore, the entire oracle against Tyre functions as a classic **Prophetic Oracle**, a specific and recurring genre within prophetic literature designed to declare God's sovereign judgment upon a nation, often employing dramatic, evocative, and highly symbolic language to underscore divine power and justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 23:2 stands as a profound theological statement on God's ultimate and unassailable sovereignty over all nations, their economies, and their perceived strengths. It unequivocally reveals that no amount of human ingenuity, commercial success, military might, or self-reliance can ultimately stand against the divine will. Tyre, a quintessential symbol of earthly prosperity, global influence, and human pride, is commanded to "be still," signifying the abrupt cessation of its human-driven activity and the decisive imposition of God's quiet, yet devastating, judgment. This passage serves as a timeless reminder that all earthly kingdoms, their accumulated wealth, and their vaunted power are inherently transient and utterly subject to the eternal purposes of God. It profoundly challenges any human tendency to place ultimate trust or find ultimate security in material abundance, worldly influence, or self-made success rather than in the Creator who holds all things, visible and invisible, firmly in His sovereign hands.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalm/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Lord Frustrates the Plans of Nations")
* [Proverbs 23:5](/proverbs/23-5 "Proverbs 23:5 - The Fleeting Nature of Riches")
* [Daniel 4:34-35](/daniel/4-34 "Daniel 4:34-35 - God's Everlasting Dominion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound command to "Be still" in Isaiah 23:2, though initially a word of severe judgment against a proud city, carries a deeply resonant and urgent spiritual application for us today. In a contemporary world characterized by relentless activity, an insatiable striving for success, and an often-unconscious pursuit of material gain and self-validation, this verse challenges us to pause, to quiet our souls, and to critically examine the true foundations of our security, identity, and hope. Are we, like ancient Tyre, meticulously building our lives, our sense of worth, and our future on fleeting earthly resources, human endeavors, and transient achievements, or are we deeply rooted in the eternal, unchanging, and utterly trustworthy character of God? The prophecy serves as a powerful invitation to acknowledge God's absolute sovereignty over all aspects of our lives, including our finances, careers, ambitions, and even our very breath. It calls us to cultivate a posture of profound humility and radical dependence, recognizing that true peace, lasting security, and ultimate fulfillment are found not in what we accumulate, achieve, or control, but in quieting our restless souls before the Lord, trusting implicitly in His perfect provision, His sovereign purpose, and His unfailing love. This "stillness" is a transformative invitation to re-prioritize our lives, to seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, and to find our ultimate and eternal replenishment solely in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life am I currently relying more on my own efforts, worldly wisdom, or earthly resources than on God's divine provision and sovereign guidance?**
* **What does it truly mean for me, practically and spiritually, to "be still" before God in a culture that constantly demands activity, productivity, and self-promotion?**
* **How does the stark reality of Tyre's transient wealth and power challenge my own deeply held perspectives on prosperity, security, and true success?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of Tyre's trade with Sidon and "passing over the sea"?**

Answer: The mention of "merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea" is profoundly significant because it highlights the very essence of Tyre's power, prosperity, and global identity. Tyre and Sidon were the two most prominent and influential Phoenician city-states, both renowned throughout the ancient world for their pioneering maritime trade and extensive commercial networks. Their merchants were daring innovators of ancient commerce, establishing vast and intricate trade routes that spanned the entire Mediterranean basin. "Passing over the sea" vividly describes their ceaseless and adventurous sea voyages, which brought immense wealth, exotic goods, and profound cultural influence to Tyre, transforming it into a preeminent global commercial hub. This crucial detail underscores that the judgment predicted in [Isaiah 23](/isaiah/23 "Isaiah 23 - The Burden Against Tyre") would strike directly at the very heart of Tyre's identity, dismantling the source of its perceived invincibility and self-sufficiency.

**Does "Be still" imply literal silence or a cessation of activity?**

Answer: While the Hebrew word for "be still" (_dâmam_) can indeed imply literal silence, in this specific prophetic context, it carries a broader, deeper, and more profound meaning of cessation, desolation, or being stunned into complete inactivity. It signifies an abrupt and forceful end to Tyre's bustling commercial life, its vibrant markets, its global influence, and its very way of life. It is not merely a call for quietness, but a divine command for the city's entire, proud, and self-sufficient existence to come to a grinding halt. This cessation is a direct and dramatic consequence of God's impending judgment, powerfully demonstrating His absolute power to bring even the most active, prosperous, and seemingly impregnable human endeavors to a complete and devastating standstill, a theme also powerfully articulated in [Psalm 76:8](/psalm/76-8 "Psalm 76:8 - God's Judgment Causes Silence").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 23:2 directly addresses the historical judgment of ancient Tyre, its underlying theological principles find profound and multifaceted Christ-centered fulfillment. The imperative command to "Be still" (Hebrew, _dâmam_), signifying a cessation of human striving and self-reliance, foreshadows the ultimate futility of all human efforts to secure salvation or lasting peace apart from God. Just as Tyre's immense prosperity, meticulously built on earthly trade and human ingenuity, was ultimately revealed to be transient and vulnerable, so too does the New Testament unequivocally reveal the utter futility of trusting in worldly riches, human accomplishments, or self-righteousness for ultimate security and eternal life. Jesus Himself powerfully taught against storing up "treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal" ([Matthew 6:19](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")), thereby redirecting our focus to the imperishable, eternal treasures found exclusively in Him. The "replenishing" of Tyre by human merchants, a symbol of material accumulation, stands in stark contrast to the spiritual replenishment offered by Christ, who promises living water to those who thirst ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Living Water")) and who came "that they may have life, and have it to the full" ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")). Ultimately, the profound silence imposed on Tyre by divine judgment points forward to the deep peace and spiritual stillness found only in Christ, who has definitively overcome the world and its fleeting systems ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Peace in Christ")). In Him, all things are made new, replacing the transient glories of earthly empires with the eternal, unshakable reign of God's kingdom, established and sustained by the Lamb of God.

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 47:5

Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.

Psalms 46:10

Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Ezekiel 27:3

And say unto Tyrus, O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, [which art] a merchant of the people for many isles, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O Tyrus, thou hast said, I [am] of perfect beauty.

Ezekiel 27:4

Thy borders [are] in the midst of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty.

Isaiah 41:1

¶ Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew [their] strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.

Ezekiel 28:2

Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart [is] lifted up, and thou hast said, I [am] a God, I sit [in] the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou [art] a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:

Ezekiel 27:8

The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy mariners: thy wise [men], O Tyrus, [that] were in thee, were thy pilots.