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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Isaiah 23:1–14. His four-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Tyre being a sea-port town, this prophecy of its overthrow fitly begins and ends with, Howl, you ships of Tarshish; for all its business, wealth, and honour, depended upon its shipping; if that be ruined, they will be all undone. Observe,
I.Tyre flourishing. This is taken notice of that her fall may appear the more dismal.
1.The merchants of Zidon, who traded at sea, had at first replenished her, Isa 23:2. Zidon was the more ancient city, situated upon the same sea-cost, a few leagues more to the north, and Tyre was at first only a colony of that; but the daughter had outgrown the mother, and become much more considerable. It may be a mortification to great cities to think how they were at first replenished.
2.Egypt had helped very much to raise her, Isa 23:3. Sihor was the river of Egypt: by that river, and the ocean into which it ran, the Egyptians traded with Tyre; and the harvest of that river was her revenue. The riches of the sea, and the gains by goods exported and imported, are as much the harvest to trading towns as that of hay and corn is to the country; and sometimes the harvest of the river proves a better revenue than the harvest of the land. Or it may be meant of all the products of the Egyptian soil, which the men of Tyre traded in, and which were the harvest of the river Nile, owing themselves to the overflowing of that river.
3.She had become the mart of the nations, the great emporium of that part of the world. Some of every known nation might be found there, especially at certain times of the year, when there was a general rendezvous of merchants. This is enlarged upon by another prophet, Eze 27:2, Eze 27:3, etc. See how the hand of the diligent, by the blessing of God upon it, makes rich. Tyre became rich and great by industry, though she had no other ploughs going than those that plough the waters.
4.She was a joyous city, noted for mirth and jollity, Isa 23:7. Those that were so disposed might find there all manner of sports and diversions, all the delights of the sons and daughters of men, balls, and plays, and operas, and every thing of that kind that a man had a fancy to. This made them secure and proud, and they despised the country people, who neither knew nor relished any joys of that nature. This also made them very loth to believe and consider what warnings God gave them by his servants; they were too merry to mind them. Her antiquity likewise was of ancient days, and she was proud of that, and that helped to make her secure; as if because she had been a city time out of mind, and her antiquity had been of ancient days, therefore she must continue a city time without end, and her continuance must be to the days of eternity.
5.She was a crowning city (Isa 23:8), that crowned herself. Such were the power and pomp of her magistrates that they crowned those who had dependence on her and dealings with her. It is explained in the following words: Her merchants are princes, and live like princes for the ease and state they take; and her traffickers, whatever country they go to, are the honourable of the earth, who are respected by all. How slightly soever some now speak of tradesmen, it seems formerly, and among the wisest nations, there were merchants, and traders, and men of business, that were the honourable of the earth.
II.Here is Tyre falling.
It does not appear that she brought trouble upon herself by provoking her neighbours with her quarrels, but rather by tempting them with her wealth; but, if it was this that induced Nebuchadnezzar to fall upon Tyre, he was disappointed; for after it had stood out a siege of thirteen years, and could hold out no longer, the inhabitants got away by sea, with their families and goods, to other places where they had an interest, and left Nebuchadnezzar nothing but the bare city. See a history of Tyre in Sir Walter Raleigh's History of the World, lib. 2. cap. 7. sect. 3, 43. page. 283, which will give much light to this prophecy and that in Ezekiel concerning Tyre.
1.See how the destruction of Tyre is here foretold.
(1.)The haven shall be no convenient harbour for the reception of the ships of Tarshish, but all laid waste (1.), so that there shall be no house, no dock for the ships to ride in, no inns, or public houses for the seamen, no entering into the port. Perhaps it was choked with sand or blocked up by the enemy. Or, Tyre being destroyed and laid waste, the ships that used to come from Tarshish and Chittim into that port shall now no more enter in; for it is revealed or made known to them, they have received the dismal news, that Tyre is destroyed and laid waste; so that there is now no more business for them there. See how it is in this world; those that are spoiled by their enemies are commonly slighted by their old friends.
(2.)The inhabitants are struck with astonishment. Tyre was an island. The inhabitants of it, who had made a mighty noise and bustle in the world, and revelled with loud huzzas, shall now be still and silent (Isa 23:2); they shall sit down as mourners, so overwhelmed with grief that they shall not be able to express it. Their proud boasts of themselves, and defiances of their neighbours, shall be silenced. God can soon quiet those, and strike them dumb, that are the noisy busy people of the world. Be still; for God will do his work (Psa 46:10; Zac 2:13), and you cannot resist him.
(3.)The neighbours are amazed, blush, and are in pain for them: Zidon is ashamed (Isa 23:4), by whom Tyre was at first replenished; for the rolling waves of the sea brought to Zidon this news from Tyre; and there the strength of the sea, a high spring-tide, proclaimed saying, "I travail not, nor bring forth children now, as I have done. I do not now, as I used to do, bring ship-loads of young people to Tyre, to be bred up there in trade and business," which was the thing that had made Tyre so rich and populous. Or the sea, that used to be loaded with fleets of ships about Tyre, shall not be as desolate as a sorrowful widow that is bereaved of all her children, and has none about her to nourish and bring up. Egypt indeed was a much larger and more considerable kingdom than Tyre was; and yet Tyre had so large a correspondence, upon the account of trade, that all the nations about shall be as much in pain, upon the report of the ruin of that one city, as they would have been, and not long after were, upon the report of the ruin of all Egypt, Isa 23:5. Or, as some read it, When the report shall reach to the Egyptians they shall be sorely pained to hear it of Tyre, both because of the loss of their trade with that city and because it was a threatening step towards their own ruin; when their neighbour's house was on fire their own was in danger.
(4.)The merchants, as many as could, should transmit their effects to other places, and abandon Tyre, where they had raised their estates, and thought they had made them sure (Isa 23:6): "You that have long been inhabitants of this isle" (for it lay off in the sea about half a mile from the continent); "It is time to howl now, for you must pass over to Tarshish. The best course you can take is to make the best of your way to Tarshish, to the sea" (to Taressus, a city in Spain; so some), "or to some other of your plantations." Those that think their mountain stands strong, and cannot be moved, will find that here they have no continuing city. The mountains shall depart and the hills be removed.
(5.)Those that could not make their escape must expect no other than to be carried into captivity; for it was the way of conquerors, in those times, to take those they conquered to be bondmen in their own country, and send of their own to be freemen in theirs (Isa 23:7): Her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn; they shall be hurried away on foot into captivity, and many a weary step they shall take towards their own misery. Those that have lived in the greatest pomp and splendour know not what hardships they may be reduced to before they die.
(6.)Many of those that attempted to escape should be pursued and fall into the hands of the enemy. Tyre shall pass through her land as a river (Isa 23:10), running down, one company after another, into the ocean or abyss of misery. Or, though they hasten away as a river, with the greatest swiftness, hoping to outrun the danger, yet there is no more strength; they are quickly tired, and cannot get forward, but fall an easy prey into the hands of the enemy. And, as Tyre has no more strength, so her sister Zidon has no more comfort (Isa 23:12): "Thou shalt no more rejoice, O oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon, that art now ready to be overpowered by the victorious Chaldeans! Thy turn is next; therefore arise; pass over to Chittim; flee to Greece, to Italy, any where to shift for thy own safety; yet there also shalt thou have no rest; thy enemies shall disturb thee, and thy own fears shall disquiet thee, where thou hopedst to find some repose." Note, We deceive ourselves if we promise ourselves rest any where in this world. Those that are uneasy in one place will be so in another; and, when God's judgments pursue sinners, they will overtake them.
2.But whence shall all this trouble come?
(1.)God will be the author of it; it is a destruction from the Almighty. It will be asked (Isa 23:8), "Who has taken this counsel against Tyre? Who has contrived it? Who has resolved it? Who can find in his heart to lay such a stately lovely city in ruins? And how is it possible that its ruin should be effected?" To this it will be answered,
[1.]God has designed it, who is infinitely wise and just, and never did, nor ever will do, any wrong to any of his creatures (Isa 23:9). The Lord of hosts, that has all things at his disposal and gives not account of any of his matters, he has purposed it. It shall be done according to the counsel of his will; and that which he aims at herein is to stain the pride of all glory, to pollute it, profane it, and throw it to be trodden upon; and to bring into contempt and make despicable all the honourable ones of the earth, that they may not admire themselves and be admired by others as usual. God did not bring those calamities upon Tyre in a way of sovereignty, to show an arbitrary and irresistible power; but he did it to punish the Tyrians for their pride. Many other sins, no doubt, reigned among them - idolatry, sensuality, and oppression; but the sin of pride is fastened upon as that which was the particular ground of God's controversy with Tyre; for he resists the proud. All the world observing and being surprised at the desolation of Tyre, we have here an exposition of it. God tells the world what he meant by it. First, He designed to convince men of the vanity and uncertainty of all earthly glory, to show them what a withering, fading, perishing thing it is even when it seems most substantial. It were well if men would be thoroughly taught this lesson, though it were at the expense of so great a destruction. Are men's learning and wealth, their pomp and power, their interest in, and influence upon, all about them, their glory? Are their stately houses, rich furniture, and splendid appearances, their glory? Look upon the ruins of Tyre, and see all this glory stained, and sullied, and buried in the dust. The honourable ones of heaven will be for ever such; but see the grandees of Tyre, some fled into banishment, others forced into captivity, and all impoverished, and you will conclude that the honourable of the earth, even the most honourable, know not how soon they may be brought into contempt. Secondly, He designed hereby to prevent their being proud of that glory, their being puffed up, and confident of the continuance of it. Let the ruin of Tyre be a warning to all places and persons to take heed of pride; for it proclaims to all the world that he who exalts himself shall be abased.
[2.]God will do it, who has all power in his hand and can do it effectually (Isa 23:11): He stretched out his hand over the sea. He has done so many a time, witness the dividing of the Red Sea and the drowning of Pharaoh in it. He has often shaken the kingdoms that were most secure; and he has now given commandment concerning this merchant-city, to destroy the strongholds thereof. As its beauty shall not intercede for it, but that shall be stained, so its strength shall not protect it, but that shall be broken. If any think it strange that a city so well fortified, and that has so many powerful allies, should be so totally ruined, let them know that it is the Lord of hosts that has given a commandment to destroy the strongholds thereof: and who can gainsay his orders or hinder the execution of them?
(2.)The Chaldeans shall be the instruments of it (Isa 23:13): Behold the land of the Chaldeans; how easily they and their land were destroyed by the Assyrians. Though their own hands founded it, set up the towers of Babylon, and raised up its palaces, yet the Assyrians brought it to ruin, whence the Tyrians might infer that as easily as the old Chaldeans were subdued by the Assyrians so easily shall Tyre be vanquished by those new Chaldeans. Babel was built by the Assyrians for those that dwelt in the wilderness. It may be rendered for the ships (the Assyrians founded it for ships and shipmen that traffic upon those vast rivers Tigris and Euphrates to the Persian and Indian seas), for men of the desert, for Babylon is called the desert of the sea, Isa 21:1. Thus Tyrus was built upon the sea for the like purpose. But the Assyrians (says Dr. Lightfoot) brought that to ruin, now lately, in Hezekiah's time, and so shall Tyre hereafter be brought to ruin by Nebuchadnezzar. If we looked more upon the falling and withering of others, we should not be so confident as we commonly are of the continuance of our own flourishing and standing.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
(Vers. 3.) Those crossing the sea fill you, in many waters, with the seed of the Nile, and the harvest of its river. Tyre rejoices in trade, and is the market of the whole world, and the present times prove it, as described by Ezekiel in his lengthy discourse. That merchants cross the seas in transporting goods is not doubted by anyone; nor does the city itself have such great wealth from the land of its region, which is very narrow, and is pressed by the borders of Galilee and Damascus, as it has from the transportation of ships. The entire Nile and the fertility of Egypt are poured out nearby Tyre. Regarding the Nile, which we read as Sior among the Hebrews, it was interpreted by the Septuagint and Theodotion as meaning turbid, and therefore signifies the waters of the Nile. As Jeremiah testifies, what do you have to do with the waters of Geon, and Egypt, that you drink from turbid waters (Jeremiah II, 18): for which in Hebrew it is called Sior, that is, turbid.
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Summary
Isaiah 23:3 offers a vivid depiction of Tyre's immense economic power and global influence, portraying it as a bustling commercial hub. The verse underscores how the city's vast wealth was intrinsically linked to its strategic maritime trade, particularly its reliance on the fertile agricultural bounty of Egypt, specifically the Nile River (identified as Sihor). This produce was transported across the "great waters" of the Mediterranean Sea to Tyre, which then functioned as a central "mart of nations," a crucial international marketplace where goods from diverse regions converged, thereby establishing its pivotal role in the ancient world's global commerce and setting the stage for the prophecy of its eventual judgment.
Context
Literary Context
Isaiah 23 is an "oracle" or "burden" against Tyre, forming part of a larger collection of prophecies against foreign nations found in Isaiah 13-23. This specific oracle follows divine pronouncements against other powerful entities such as Babylon, Assyria, Philistia, Moab, Damascus, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The chapter opens with a lament over Tyre's impending destruction, detailing the shock and despair of its trading partners and the wider maritime world, as seen in Isaiah 23:1-2. Verse 3, while descriptive, serves a crucial literary function: it meticulously establishes the very foundation of Tyre's power, pride, and seemingly unassailable wealth and global influence. By highlighting the source of its prosperity, the prophet sets the stage for the dramatic reversal of fortune that is the core message of the prophecy, emphasizing the magnitude of what is about to be shattered.
Historical & Cultural Context
Tyre was a preeminent Phoenician city-state situated on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, celebrated for its unparalleled maritime prowess and extensive trade network. Throughout its history, Tyre endured numerous sieges and periods of subjugation by various empires, including the Assyrians (under Shalmaneser V, Sargon II, and Sennacherib), the Babylonians (under Nebuchadnezzar II), and later the Persians and Greeks (most notably Alexander the Great). The "Sihor" mentioned in the verse is almost universally identified as the Nile River in Egypt, or specifically one of its eastern branches or canals that served as a major conduit for agricultural goods. Egypt was a primary source of grain and other vital agricultural products in the ancient world, making its bounty indispensable to the broader regional economy. Tyre's designation as a "mart of nations" vividly reflects the sophisticated and interconnected trade routes of the ancient Near East, where goods from Africa, Asia, and Europe converged, highlighting Tyre's pivotal role in facilitating this global commerce as a central distribution hub.
Key Themes
This verse contributes significantly to several profound themes prevalent within the book of Isaiah and broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of divine sovereignty over nations, demonstrating that even the most powerful and seemingly self-sufficient economic empires, like Tyre, are ultimately subject to God's will and judgment. This truth resonates with other prophetic condemnations of powerful nations, such as those found in Jeremiah 25:15-26 and Ezekiel's detailed prophecies against Tyre in Ezekiel 26-28. Secondly, it highlights the transience of earthly wealth and power. Tyre's immense "revenue" and global influence, described so vividly here, are destined for collapse, serving as a stark warning against placing ultimate trust in material prosperity. This theme is deeply embedded in biblical wisdom literature, as exemplified in Proverbs 11:28. Finally, it touches on the theme of economic interconnectedness, illustrating how ancient economies relied on complex networks of trade, making nations interdependent, yet also profoundly vulnerable to disruptions or divine intervention.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term, likely meaning "dark" or "turbid," refers specifically to a stream or river in Egypt, almost universally identified as the Nile River or one of its eastern branches. Its inclusion here immediately connects Tyre's prosperity to the fertile agricultural output of Egypt, indicating a primary source of its "seed" and "harvest."
Derived from a word meaning "to come in," this term signifies income, produce, gain, or increase. In this context, it refers to the substantial profit and wealth Tyre accumulated from the trade of agricultural goods, particularly those sourced from Egypt. It underscores the financial benefit derived from its role as a trading hub.
From a root meaning "to trade" or "to go about," this word denotes an emporium, a place of trade, or merchandise itself. Its use here emphasizes Tyre's function as a central international marketplace where goods from various nations converged for exchange, highlighting its pivotal role in ancient global commerce.
Verse Breakdown
"And by great waters"
This phrase immediately establishes the geographical and operational setting for Tyre's economic activity—the vast expanse of the Mediterranean Sea. It highlights Tyre's identity as a premier maritime trading power, whose wealth was inextricably linked to its access to and control over sea lanes. The "great waters" are the indispensable conduits through which its prosperity flowed, enabling its extensive international trade.
"the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river"
This poetic parallelism identifies the specific and abundant source of Tyre's primary goods. "Sihor" (the Nile River) and "the river" (referring to the same life-giving waterway) signify the incredibly fertile agricultural bounty of Egypt. "Seed" and "harvest" represent the abundant crops—such as grains, flax, and other vital produce—that were cultivated in the rich Nile Delta. This clause explicitly links Tyre's immense revenue to the agricultural productivity of a foreign land, transported via water.
"[is] her revenue"
This declarative statement directly attributes Tyre's wealth, income, and economic gain to the previously mentioned agricultural produce. It clarifies that the Egyptian harvest, brought across the sea, constituted a significant, if not primary, portion of Tyre's economic prosperity, highlighting its crucial role as a middleman in a vast international supply chain.
"and she is a mart of nations"
This final clause defines Tyre's ultimate function and exalted status in the ancient world. A "mart" is a marketplace or trading center. By calling it a "mart of nations," the prophet emphasizes Tyre's international significance as a bustling hub where goods from diverse countries converged for trade, exchange, and redistribution, solidifying its reputation as a global commercial powerhouse and a nexus of ancient commerce.
Literary Devices
Isaiah 23:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message with depth and vividness. The use of metonymy is evident in the phrase "the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river," where "seed" and "harvest" stand in for the agricultural produce itself, and "Sihor" and "river" represent the fertile land of Egypt and its life-giving waters. This imagery vividly paints a picture of the direct source of Tyre's wealth. The phrase "great waters" serves as a potent symbol of the vast Mediterranean Sea, underscoring Tyre's maritime dominance, its global reach, and the extensive network of its trade routes. The entire verse functions as a form of descriptive imagery, providing a concise yet richly detailed portrait of Tyre's economic engine and its central role in ancient commerce. Furthermore, the juxtaposition of Tyre's immense prosperity described here with the impending judgment prophesied in the rest of the chapter creates a profound irony, emphasizing the fragility of human power and wealth when confronted with divine sovereignty.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Isaiah 23:3, by meticulously detailing the source of Tyre's immense wealth, subtly introduces a profound theological principle: all earthly prosperity, even that derived from human ingenuity, strategic location, and extensive trade networks, ultimately flows from and is subject to divine providence. Tyre's reliance on the "seed of Sihor" (the Nile's bounty) highlights its dependence on natural resources provided by God, rather than being solely self-generated. This verse serves as a foundational statement for the subsequent prophecy of Tyre's downfall, illustrating that God's sovereignty extends even over the most powerful economic empires and their intricate systems of trade. It challenges the human tendency to place ultimate trust in accumulated wealth or strategic advantage, redirecting focus to the ultimate source of all blessing and the one who holds the destiny of nations in His hands.
Reflection and Application
Isaiah 23:3, though describing an ancient economic powerhouse, offers timeless insights for contemporary believers. It prompts us to consider the sources of our own prosperity and the global economic systems in which we participate. Just as Tyre's wealth was dependent on external factors like the Nile's fertility and international trade, so too are our modern economies interconnected and reliant on resources and relationships beyond our immediate control. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that while diligence, innovation, and ethical commerce are commendable, our ultimate security and provision do not reside in accumulated wealth, market stability, or human enterprise alone. Instead, it calls us to acknowledge God's overarching sovereignty over all nations, their economies, and indeed, all aspects of creation. It encourages a posture of humility and trust, recognizing that true and lasting security is found only in Him, regardless of economic fluctuations or geopolitical shifts. It challenges us to hold material possessions and worldly success with an open hand, understanding that they are gifts to be stewarded, not idols to be worshipped.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the significance of "Sihor" to Tyre's economy?
"Sihor" is widely identified as the Nile River in Egypt, or one of its eastern branches. Its significance to Tyre's economy was immense because the Nile Delta was one of the most fertile agricultural regions in the ancient world, producing abundant crops like grain and flax. Tyre, being a major maritime trading hub, acted as a crucial intermediary, importing these vital agricultural products from Egypt across the Mediterranean Sea. This "seed of Sihor" and "harvest of the river" formed a substantial portion of Tyre's "revenue," making its prosperity deeply dependent on Egyptian agriculture and the trade routes that facilitated its transport. This economic reliance is a key part of understanding Tyre's power and vulnerability as described in prophetic texts like Ezekiel 27.
How did Tyre become a "mart of nations"?
Tyre became a "mart of nations" due to its strategic geographical location and its advanced maritime capabilities. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, it served as a natural nexus for trade routes connecting the fertile lands of Egypt and the Levant with the wider Mediterranean world, including regions as far as Spain. Its skilled sailors and extensive fleet enabled it to transport goods efficiently. As described in Isaiah 23:3, it imported bulk goods like grain from Egypt and then redistributed them, along with its own renowned products like purple dye and cedar, to various nations. This made Tyre a central marketplace where diverse goods and cultures converged, facilitating international commerce and solidifying its reputation as a global trading powerhouse.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Isaiah 23:3 vividly describes the earthly economic power of Tyre, its ultimate fulfillment points to the radical reorientation of values found in Christ and His kingdom. Tyre's "revenue" came from the "seed of Sihor" and its status as a "mart of nations," representing a kingdom built on material wealth, human enterprise, and global commerce. In stark contrast, the kingdom of God, inaugurated by Jesus, operates on an entirely different economy—one of grace, righteousness, and eternal life. Jesus Himself declared, "My kingdom is not of this world," challenging the very foundations upon which earthly empires like Tyre were built. The true "revenue" for humanity comes not from worldly trade but from the spiritual harvest sown by Christ, who is the bread of life and the source of living water. He invites all nations, not to a commercial mart, but to a spiritual fellowship, where the true "merchandise" is salvation and reconciliation with God, freely offered through His sacrifice on the cross. The ultimate "mart of nations" is no longer a bustling port city but the global church, where people from every tribe and language and people and nation gather, not to trade earthly goods, but to worship the Lamb who was slain. Thus, Tyre's worldly glory, a fleeting shadow, is ultimately eclipsed by the enduring and eternal glory of Christ's kingdom, which offers a treasure far beyond any earthly revenue (Matthew 6:19-21).