Isaiah 23:3

KJV

And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, [is] her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.

KJV (with Strong's)

And by great {H7227} waters {H4325} the seed {H2233} of Sihor {H7883}, the harvest {H7105} of the river {H2975}, is her revenue {H8393}; and she is a mart {H5505} of nations {H1471}.

Complete Jewish Bible

By the great water the grain of Shichor, the harvest of the Nile, brought you profits. She was marketplace for the nations.

Berean Standard Bible

On the great waters came the grain of Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre; she was the merchant of the nations.

American Standard Version

And on great waters the seed of the Shihor, the harvest of the Nile, was her revenue; and she was the mart of nations.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 23:3 vividly portrays the economic engine of Tyre, a powerful Phoenician city, emphasizing its immense wealth derived from its strategic maritime trade. The verse highlights how Tyre's prosperity was deeply intertwined with the fertile agricultural output of Egypt, specifically the Nile River (Sihor), whose produce was transported across "great waters"—the Mediterranean Sea—to Tyre. Functioning as a central "mart of nations," Tyre served as a crucial international hub where goods from diverse regions converged, underscoring 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, part of a series of prophecies against foreign nations found in Isaiah 13-23. This specific oracle follows pronouncements against powerful entities like Babylon, Assyria, Philistia, Moab, Damascus, Ethiopia, and Egypt. The chapter begins with a lament over Tyre's impending destruction, detailing the shock and despair of its trading partners and the wider maritime world ([Isaiah 23:1-2](/isaiah/23-1 "Isaiah 23:1-2 - Lament over Tyre's Destruction")). Verse 3, though seemingly descriptive, functions to establish the very foundation of Tyre's power and pride—its immense wealth and global influence—that is about to be shattered. It contextualizes the source of its seemingly unassailable might before the dramatic reversal of fortune that is the core message of the prophecy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was a dominant Phoenician city-state located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, renowned for its unparalleled maritime prowess and extensive trade network. Historically, Tyre faced numerous sieges and periods of subjugation by various empires, including the Assyrians (Shalmaneser V, Sargon II, Sennacherib), Babylonians (Nebuchadnezzar II), and later the Persians and Greeks (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. 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.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent within Isaiah and broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it 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 is echoed in other prophetic condemnations of powerful nations, such as [Jeremiah 25:15-26](/jeremiah/25-15 "Jeremiah 25:15-26 - God's Judgment on Nations") and Ezekiel's detailed prophecies against Tyre in [Ezekiel 26-28](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel 26-28 - Prophecies Against Tyre"). 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, a theme prevalent throughout biblical wisdom literature (e.g., [Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Proverbs 11:28 - Trust in Riches vs. Righteousness")). Finally, it touches on the theme of **economic interconnectedness**, illustrating how ancient economies relied on complex networks of trade, making nations interdependent, yet also vulnerable to disruptions or divine intervention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sihor (Hebrew, _Shîychôwr'_):** 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."
* **revenue (Hebrew, _tᵉbûwʼâh'_):** 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.
* **mart (Hebrew, _çâchar'_):** 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 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 conduits through which its prosperity flowed.
* **"the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river":** This poetic parallelism identifies the specific source of Tyre's primary goods. "Sihor" (the Nile River) and "the river" (referring to the same) signify the incredibly fertile agricultural bounty of Egypt. "Seed" and "harvest" represent the abundant crops—such as grains, flax, and other produce—that were cultivated in the Nile Delta. This clause explicitly links Tyre's revenue to the agricultural productivity of a foreign land, transported via water.
* **"[is] her revenue":** This declarative statement directly attributes Tyre's wealth and income 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 gain, highlighting its role as a crucial middleman in a vast international supply chain.
* **"and she is a mart of nations":** This final clause defines Tyre's ultimate function and status. 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.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 23:3 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its message. The use of **metonymy** is evident in "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 source of Tyre's wealth. The phrase "great waters" serves as a potent **symbol** of the vast Mediterranean Sea, underscoring Tyre's maritime dominance and global reach. The entire verse functions as a form of **descriptive imagery**, providing a concise yet rich 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 detailing the source of Tyre's immense wealth, subtly introduces a profound theological principle: all earthly prosperity, even that derived from human ingenuity 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.

* [Proverbs 10:22](/proverbs/10-22 "Proverbs 10:22 - The Blessing of the Lord")
* [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's")
* [Haggai 2:8](/haggai/2-8 "Haggai 2:8 - The Silver and Gold are Mine")

### 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.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I tend to place my trust in economic stability or material possessions rather than in God's provision?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty over nations and economies shape my perspective on current global events and personal financial decisions?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a greater sense of dependence on God for my daily needs and future security, rather than relying solely on worldly systems?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of "Sihor" to Tyre's economy?**

Answer: "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](/ezekiel/27 "Ezekiel 27 - A Lament for Tyre").

**How did Tyre become a "mart of nations"?**

Answer: 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](/isaiah/23-3 "Isaiah 23:3 - Tyre's Economic Power"), 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 describes the earthly economic power of Tyre, its ultimate fulfillment points to the radical reorientation of values found in Christ. Tyre's "revenue" came from the "seed of Sihor" and its status as a "mart of nations," representing a kingdom built on material wealth and human enterprise. In 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](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' 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](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, 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. 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](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Multitude from Every Nation") gather, not to trade earthly goods, but to worship the [Lamb who was slain](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12 - Worthy is the Lamb"). 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](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")).

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

1 Chronicles 13:5

So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.

Jeremiah 2:18

And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?

Joel 3:5

Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things:

Isaiah 19:7

The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no [more].

Isaiah 23:8

Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning [city], whose merchants [are] princes, whose traffickers [are] the honourable of the earth?

Deuteronomy 11:10

For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, [is] not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst [it] with thy foot, as a garden of herbs:

Revelation 18:11

And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: