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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
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
(Verse 6.) Cross over, O sea! Cry out, you who dwell on the island! Once again, they have carried Carthage across the sea and to Tharsis, seventy ships. We read in the histories of the Assyrians that the besieged Tyrians, seeing no hope of escape, fled to Carthage, either to other islands of the Ionian and Aegean seas. Hence it is said in Ezekiel: No wages were given to him, nor to his army from Tyre (Ezek. 29); because all the wealth of the city has been transferred, and all its nobles have abandoned it empty.
(Verse 6, 7.) Go to Carthage: howl, you who dwell in this island. Is this not your insult from the beginning before it was handed over? They will lead it far on foot to wander. That which follows: They will lead it far on foot to wander, is added from Hebrew, and is prenoted by an asterisk, that is, by illuminating stars. O Tyrians who dwell in narrowness and reside on the island, who are exposed on all sides to the waves of trials, depart from it, and go to Carthage, that is, to Tharsis, and hasten to true joy, mourning for ancient sins, and for the old insult, which either you yourselves inflicted on others, or suffered from them. But I give this command for a reason: because you see your city Tyre about to be moved from its original seats and purpose, when they have humbled their necks to the Gospel of the Savior, after having cast away their old error. So that those who previously dwelled in narrowness may withdraw farther and become strangers and inhabitants of the teaching of the Lord, the Savior.
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Summary
Isaiah 23:6 delivers a stark prophetic decree to the proud maritime city of Tyre, commanding its inhabitants to "Pass ye over to Tarshish" and to "howl." This verse, embedded within a broader oracle of judgment, vividly portrays the impending and devastating collapse of Tyre's formidable commercial empire. It foretells a forced migration and profound lamentation for a people who once reveled in their seemingly unassailable wealth and global trade dominance, powerfully asserting God's sovereign authority over all nations and exposing the ultimate futility of placing trust in earthly security and material prosperity.
Context
Literary Context
Isaiah 23 functions as a distinct "burden" or oracle, specifically targeting Tyre, and is strategically placed within a series of divine judgments against various nations. Preceding this chapter are prophecies against powerful entities like Babylon (Isaiah 13), Moab (Isaiah 15-16), and Damascus (Isaiah 17), establishing a pattern of God's universal sovereignty. Verses 1-5 of Isaiah 23 set the stage by lamenting Tyre's impending fall, describing the shock and shame that will ripple through its extensive trading network. Verse 6, therefore, is a direct, imperative command to the Tyrians themselves, underscoring the immediate and desperate consequences of their impending destruction. It urges them to flee to distant colonies like Tarshish, which, ironically, represents the very extent of their now-failing commercial reach. The subsequent verses, such as Isaiah 23:8-9, further elaborate on God's divine purpose in humbling the city's pride.
Historical & Cultural Context
Tyre was a preeminent Phoenician city-state situated on the Mediterranean coast, renowned for its production of purple dye, its unparalleled naval prowess, and a vast trading empire that spanned the ancient world, reaching as far as Tarshish (generally identified with a location in modern-day Spain). Its immense wealth, strategic island fortress, and extensive commercial network rendered it seemingly impregnable. Historically, Tyre faced significant military threats from powerful empires, including Assyria in the 8th century BCE (the likely period of Isaiah's prophecy), Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar in the 6th century BCE, and ultimately its complete destruction by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE. Culturally, Tyre embodied human hubris and self-reliance, with its identity intrinsically linked to material prosperity and military might. This made it a quintessential target for prophetic judgment, serving as a powerful testament to God's ultimate sovereignty over even the most formidable human endeavors. The command to "howl" was a deeply ingrained ancient Near Eastern expression of profound mourning, national calamity, and public lamentation.
Key Themes
Isaiah 23:6 profoundly contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes prevalent within the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Foremost among these is the theme of Divine Judgment on Pride and Arrogance, demonstrating unequivocally that no nation, however powerful or self-sufficient, can escape God's ultimate reckoning. Tyre's dramatic fall serves as a vivid illustration of the Futility of Earthly Security and Wealth, revealing that reliance on material possessions, fortified defenses, or expansive trade networks is ultimately fragile and cannot withstand divine decree. The imperative to flee to Tarshish and to "howl" powerfully conveys the theme of Lamentation and Despair, marking a stark and tragic contrast to Tyre's former glory and prosperity. This profound transformation from prideful abundance to abject sorrow is a recurring motif in prophecies against nations, echoing the lament over Babylon in Revelation 18. Ultimately, this prophecy unequivocally affirms God's Sovereignty Over All Nations, serving as a potent reminder to both Israel and the surrounding peoples that Yahweh alone is the Lord of history, possessing the power to humble the proud and exalt the lowly according to His divine will.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This imperative verb (H5674) signifies a forceful and urgent transition, to "cross over" or "go through." In this context, it implies a desperate, compelled movement, an exodus from their homeland, rather than a voluntary and prosperous trade voyage. It conveys the immediacy and desperation of fleeing a doomed city, highlighting the complete and violent disruption of Tyre's normal way of life and its people's forced displacement.
This imperative verb (H3213) is an onomatopoeic term, vividly depicting a loud, mournful cry of anguish, sorrow, or deep distress. It powerfully communicates profound lamentation and despair, standing in stark contrast to the once-celebratory sounds of a thriving, prosperous trading city. This word underscores the overwhelming depth of the calamity and the public expression of grief that would befall Tyre.
From a root meaning "habitable spot" (H339), this term refers to a dry land, a coast, or an island. While Tyre was famously an island city, "isle" here also broadly encompasses coastal regions and maritime lands, emphasizing Tyre's very identity as a sea-faring nation. It highlights that the very foundation of their power and prosperity—their connection to the sea—would now bear witness to their profound lamentation and desperate flight.
Verse Breakdown
"Pass ye over to Tarshish"
This is a direct, urgent, and authoritative command issued to the inhabitants of Tyre. The phrase "Pass ye over" signifies a desperate, compelled flight, not a planned or leisurely journey. Tarshish (H8659), a distant port often associated with the western Mediterranean, represents the furthest reach of Tyrian trade and, in a profound twist of irony, is now presented as a potential, albeit desperate, refuge. This command underscores the complete disruption of their established life and the dire necessity of seeking safety in a far-off land that was once merely a commercial destination.
"howl, ye inhabitants of the isle"
This second imperative command emphasizes the deep emotional devastation awaiting Tyre. "Howl" denotes a loud, mournful cry of profound grief, despair, and public lamentation, signifying the utter collapse of their pride and prosperity. "Ye inhabitants of the isle" specifically addresses the people of Tyre, highlighting their identity as a sea-faring nation whose pride, security, and wealth were intrinsically tied to their coastal stronghold. The call to howl powerfully conveys the overwhelming sorrow and loss that would accompany the destruction of their once-glorious and seemingly impregnable city.
Literary Devices
Isaiah 23:6 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment. The most prominent is the Imperative Mood, as the prophet issues direct, forceful commands ("Pass ye over," "howl"), imbuing the divine judgment with urgency, authority, and inevitability. A significant layer of Irony is present: Tarshish, once the epitome of Tyre's extensive commercial reach and immense prosperity, is now presented not as a trading partner but as a distant, desperate refuge for its fleeing inhabitants. The command to "howl" is a powerful example of Onomatopoeia, as the Hebrew word (yâlal) is phonetically imitative of the wailing and lamentation it describes, making the impending sorrow palpable and visceral. Furthermore, the phrase "inhabitants of the isle" utilizes Metonymy, where "isle" (referring to Tyre's island fortress) stands in for the entire city and its people, emphasizing their maritime identity and the comprehensive, inescapable nature of their impending doom.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Isaiah 23:6 stands as a profound theological declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and the inevitable judgment that awaits human pride, self-sufficiency, and idolatry of wealth. Tyre, a global symbol of earthly power, commercial might, and perceived invincibility, is dramatically brought low by divine decree, demonstrating that no human enterprise, however grand or seemingly secure, can ultimately escape God's ultimate authority. This prophecy serves as a timeless reminder that true security, lasting prosperity, and genuine peace are not found in material possessions, strategic alliances, or human ingenuity, but solely in a humble and dependent relationship with the Lord. The forced flight to Tarshish and the command to howl underscore the emptiness and ultimate fragility of a life built on anything other than God, revealing that all earthly glory is fleeting and entirely subject to divine will and purpose.
Reflection and Application
Isaiah 23:6, while historically directed at the ancient city of Tyre, carries profound and timeless lessons for believers today, challenging us to critically examine the foundations of our own security, identity, and ultimate trust. In a contemporary world that often measures success by material wealth, social influence, and self-reliant achievement, this verse serves as a stark and sobering reminder that all earthly accomplishments and possessions are transient, vulnerable, and ultimately subject to the sovereign hand of God. It compels us to honestly consider where our ultimate trust and hope truly lie: Is it in our financial portfolios, our professional careers, our social standing, our personal abilities, or in the unfailing faithfulness and omnipotence of God? The prophetic call to "howl" reminds us of the profound sorrow and spiritual emptiness that inevitably result when our idols are shattered, urging us to cultivate genuine humility, a radical dependence on God alone, and a healthy detachment from the fleeting glories of this world. Embracing this truth fosters a deeper sense of spiritual security, frees us from the anxieties of a world constantly shifting beneath our feet, and reorients our hearts towards the eternal.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the significance of Tarshish in relation to Tyre?
Tarshish (H8659) was a distant port, widely believed to be located in modern-day Spain, representing the furthest and most significant reach of Tyre's extensive maritime trade network. "Ships of Tarshish" became a proverbial term for large, ocean-going vessels capable of undertaking long voyages, symbolizing Tyre's global commercial dominance and immense wealth (as seen in the account of Solomon's fleet in 1 Kings 10:22). In Isaiah 23:6, its mention is highly ironic and poignant, as it shifts from being a symbol of prosperity and boundless trade to a desperate, distant refuge for the fleeing Tyrians, highlighting the complete reversal of their fortunes.
Why does the prophet command Tyre to "howl"?
The command to "howl" (H3213, yâlal) is an imperative verb signifying a loud, wailing cry of profound anguish, sorrow, and deep distress. It is a common prophetic motif used throughout the Old Testament to express intense lamentation over national calamity, divine judgment, or overwhelming loss. For Tyre, it underscores the complete and devastating reversal of their fortunes—from a city of immense pride, celebration, and material abundance to one engulfed in public grief and despair over the loss of their wealth, power, and homeland. This imagery is also powerfully employed in other prophetic judgments, such as the lament over Babylon in Isaiah 13:6, emphasizing the universal nature of such divine reckoning.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Isaiah 23:6 directly prophesies the historical judgment upon Tyre, its deeper theological currents and underlying principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The fall of Tyre, a city epitomizing human pride, self-sufficiency, and reliance on fleeting earthly riches, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate futility and inevitable collapse of any kingdom, power, or life built apart from God. Just as Tyre's inhabitants were commanded to flee to a distant refuge and lament their loss, so too does all humanity, estranged from God by sin, face a coming and certain judgment. However, the New Testament reveals that the true and eternal "Tarshish" of refuge is not a distant earthly port, but the very person of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate sanctuary, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, offering a secure and unshakable dwelling place for all who turn from their self-reliance and pride to Him. The lamentation commanded for Tyre finds its counterpoint in the godly sorrow over sin that leads to repentance and the "blessed mourning" that ultimately leads to comfort and eternal life in Christ (Matthew 5:4). Ultimately, the judgment on Tyre serves as a powerful backdrop, highlighting the absolute necessity and glorious provision of Christ's eternal kingdom, which alone is eternal and unshakable, in stark contrast to all earthly kingdoms and glories that will eventually "pass away" (1 John 2:17).