Isaiah 23:7

KJV

[Is] this your joyous [city], whose antiquity [is] of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn.

KJV (with Strong's)

Is this your joyous {H5947} city, whose antiquity {H6927} is of ancient {H6924} days {H3117}? her own feet {H7272} shall carry {H2986} her afar off {H7350} to sojourn {H1481}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Is this your boisterous city, whose feet long ago in antiquity carried her off to found distant colonies?

Berean Standard Bible

Is this your jubilant city, whose origin is from antiquity, whose feet have taken her to settle far away?

American Standard Version

Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days, whose feet carried her afar off to sojourn?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 23:7 captures a poignant moment in the prophetic oracle against Tyre, a once-proud and prosperous maritime city. The verse poses a rhetorical question, challenging the city's long-held identity as a "joyous city" of ancient renown, and then delivers a stark prophecy: its inhabitants will be forced into exile, "her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn." This powerful imagery underscores the dramatic reversal of fortune awaiting Tyre, highlighting the transience of earthly power and the certainty of divine judgment upon human pride and self-sufficiency.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 23 is a "burden" or prophetic oracle specifically directed against Tyre, one of a series of judgments against various nations (e.g., Babylon in [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Prophecy Against Babylon"), Assyria in [Isaiah 14](/isaiah/14 "Isaiah 14 - Prophecy Against Assyria"), Egypt in [Isaiah 19](/isaiah/19 "Isaiah 19 - Prophecy Against Egypt")). The chapter opens with a lament over Tyre's destruction, depicting the shock and grief of its trading partners ([Isaiah 23:1-6](/isaiah/23-1 "Isaiah 23:1-6 - Lament over Tyre's Fall")). Verse 7, by questioning Tyre's identity, serves as a pivotal moment, contrasting its former glory with its impending humiliation, setting the stage for the detailed description of its downfall and eventual, partial restoration in later verses ([Isaiah 23:15-18](/isaiah/23-15 "Isaiah 23:15-18 - Tyre's Future Restoration")). The rhetorical question emphasizes the profound shift from a state of secure joy to one of forced displacement.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre was a prominent Phoenician city-state located on the Mediterranean coast, renowned for its extensive maritime trade network, immense wealth, and formidable defenses (initially an island city, later connected by a causeway). Its "antiquity" refers to its ancient origins and long-standing reputation as a commercial and cultural powerhouse, dating back perhaps to the third millennium BCE. The city's "joyous" nature likely stemmed from its prosperity, its vibrant markets, and its self-assured position as a dominant force in the ancient world. Phoenician culture was characterized by skilled craftsmanship, seafaring prowess, and a polytheistic religious system that included the worship of Baal and Asherah. The prophecy in Isaiah 23 is generally understood to refer to a siege by the Assyrians (likely Sargon II or Sennacherib) in the late 8th century BCE, or possibly a later Babylonian siege under Nebuchadnezzar II in the early 6th century BCE, which lasted for thirteen years. The idea of "sojourning afar off" would have been a terrifying prospect for a people accustomed to a settled, prosperous existence in their homeland.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Isaiah and prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the **Sovereignty of God over Nations**, demonstrating that even the most powerful and seemingly impregnable human empires are subject to His ultimate authority and judgment. Tyre's fall serves as a stark reminder that no earthly power is beyond divine reckoning, a theme echoed in God's judgments against other nations throughout [Isaiah 13-23](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13-23 - Oracles Against the Nations"). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Transience of Earthly Glory and Wealth**. Tyre's "joyous" and "ancient" status, built on material prosperity, is shown to be fleeting, underscoring the biblical wisdom found in passages like [Proverbs 27:24](/proverbs/27-24 "Proverbs 27:24 - Wealth Does Not Last Forever") or [Ecclesiastes 1:2](/ecclesiastes/1-2 "Ecclesiastes 1:2 - Vanity of Vanities"). Finally, the prophecy introduces the theme of **Exile and Displacement**, a common consequence of divine judgment in the Old Testament, which often served as a means of purification or a catalyst for repentance, as seen in the Babylonian exile of Judah ([Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Seventy Years of Exile")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **joyous (Hebrew, _ʻallîyz'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to exult," this word describes a state of triumphant rejoicing, often bordering on arrogance or revelry. In the context of Tyre, it suggests a city whose happiness and confidence were deeply rooted in its material success, commercial dominance, and seemingly unassailable position, perhaps leading to a self-congratulatory spirit that overlooked its dependence on divine favor.
* **antiquity (Hebrew, _qadmâh'_):** This term signifies priority in time, referring to something that is ancient or of old estate. When coupled with "ancient days" (from _qedem_ and _yôwm_), it emphasizes Tyre's venerable history and long-standing prominence. The prophet's question highlights the shock and disbelief that such an established and historically significant city could face such a devastating downfall, challenging the notion that its age guaranteed its security.
* **sojourn (Hebrew, _gûwr'_):** This primitive root means "to turn aside from the road for lodging," implying a temporary stay, to dwell as a stranger, or to reside temporarily. It can also carry connotations of fear or being in a strange place. In this verse, it starkly contrasts with Tyre's former settled and prosperous existence, painting a picture of forced migration, homelessness, and a loss of permanent roots, emphasizing the humiliation and vulnerability of its inhabitants.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days?"**: This is a rhetorical question designed to provoke shock and disbelief. It contrasts Tyre's past and present glory—its reputation as a vibrant, prosperous, and historically significant city—with the impending reality of its desolation. The question implies that what was once a source of pride and celebration will become a source of shame and ruin, challenging the very identity Tyre held for itself and was recognized for by others.
* **"her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn."**: This clause describes the grim outcome of Tyre's judgment. The imagery of "her own feet" carrying her suggests a forced, desperate migration, not a voluntary journey. The phrase "afar off to sojourn" powerfully conveys the loss of homeland, security, and identity. The inhabitants will become displaced persons, strangers in foreign lands, a stark reversal for a city that once welcomed merchants from all over the world but now finds its own people exiled.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 23:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question** ("Is this your joyous city...?"), which is not meant to elicit an answer but to underscore the profound irony and tragedy of Tyre's impending downfall. It forces the audience to confront the stark contrast between Tyre's past glory and its future humiliation. **Personification** is evident in the depiction of the city itself having "feet" that "shall carry her afar off to sojourn." This imbues the city with human qualities, making its forced exile more vivid and relatable, emphasizing the collective suffering of its inhabitants. There is also an element of **Irony**, as the city known for its far-reaching trade and influence, bringing goods from "afar off," will now find its own people carried "afar off" as exiles. This reversal highlights the unpredictable nature of divine judgment and the impermanence of worldly power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 23:7 stands as a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and the transient nature of human glory. It reveals that no earthly power, however ancient, wealthy, or seemingly impregnable, is immune to divine judgment when it succumbs to pride and self-sufficiency. Tyre's fall serves as a universal warning against placing ultimate trust in material possessions or human achievements, reminding us that true security and lasting joy are found only in humble dependence on the Creator. The judgment on Tyre, like that on other nations, underscores God's righteous governance of the world, demonstrating His commitment to justice and His ultimate control over the rise and fall of empires.

* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalm/33-10 "God Foils the Plans of Nations")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16 "The Parable of the Rich Fool")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 23:7 compels us to critically examine the foundations of our joy and security. If our happiness is primarily derived from material wealth, social status, or worldly achievements, this verse serves as a sobering reminder of their fleeting nature. Tyre's pride, rooted in its "antiquity" and "joyous" prosperity, ultimately led to its humiliation and displacement. For us, this means cultivating a heart of humility, recognizing that all blessings come from God and that our ultimate hope should rest in Him alone, not in the perishable things of this world. It challenges us to consider where our true citizenship lies and to invest in eternal values rather than temporal ones, remembering that God's purposes will always prevail, even amidst the rise and fall of earthly powers.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "joyous cities" or sources of pride in my own life that might be built on fleeting foundations rather than on God?**
* **How does the transience of Tyre's glory challenge my own pursuit of material wealth or worldly recognition?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to rely on my own "antiquity" or established position, rather than on God's ongoing grace and provision?**
* **What does it mean for me to "sojourn" in this world, understanding that my true home is not here?**

### FAQ
**Who was Tyre, and why was it targeted by this prophecy?**

Answer: Tyre was a powerful and ancient Phoenician city-state located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, renowned for its vast maritime trade empire, immense wealth, and strategic importance. It was a hub of international commerce, attracting merchants from across the known world and boasting a long history of prosperity and influence. Isaiah's prophecy targets Tyre not merely because of its wealth, but likely because of the pride and self-sufficiency that accompanied it, as well as its involvement in the slave trade and its exploitation of other peoples, including God's covenant people ([Amos 1:9-10](/amos/1-9 "God's Judgment Against Tyre")). The judgment against Tyre, like that against other nations in Isaiah, demonstrates God's universal sovereignty and His righteous judgment against all forms of human pride and injustice, regardless of a nation's power or historical standing.

**What is the significance of Tyre's inhabitants being carried "afar off to sojourn"?**

Answer: The phrase "afar off to sojourn" signifies a complete and humiliating reversal of Tyre's former status. As a dominant trading power, Tyre was accustomed to its ships and merchants traveling "afar off" to bring back wealth and goods. Now, its own people are forced to become the travelers, not as prosperous merchants, but as displaced exiles, "sojourning" (living as temporary residents or strangers) in foreign lands. This imagery highlights the loss of home, security, and national identity. It underscores the severity of God's judgment, reducing a proud and settled people to a vulnerable and transient existence, emphasizing that no earthly stronghold can ultimately resist the divine will. This forced displacement is a common theme in prophetic literature, often serving as a consequence of national sin and a means of divine chastisement, as seen in the Babylonian exile of Judah ([2 Kings 25:11](/2_kings/25-11 "The Exile to Babylon")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 23:7 directly addresses the judgment upon the ancient city of Tyre, its theological implications find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The transient nature of Tyre's "joyous city" and its "ancient days" points forward to the ultimate impermanence of all earthly kingdoms and the enduring reality of God's eternal kingdom, established in Christ. Jesus Himself declared that His kingdom is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")), contrasting with the worldly kingdoms built on wealth and power. The forced "sojourning" of Tyre's inhabitants foreshadows the spiritual pilgrimage of believers, who are called to live as "strangers and exiles on the earth" ([Hebrews 11:13](/hebrews/11-13 "Pilgrims on Earth")), seeking a "better country—a heavenly one" ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Seeking a Heavenly Country")). Christ, the ultimate Lamb of God, willingly "sojourned" among humanity, taking on flesh and experiencing displacement, ultimately offering a permanent dwelling place in the "city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God" ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "The City with Foundations")). Thus, the fall of Tyre serves as a stark reminder that true and lasting joy, security, and citizenship are found not in any earthly city, but in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ, who is the foundation and King of an eternal, unshakeable kingdom ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "The New Heaven and New Earth")).

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 22:2

Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city: thy slain [men are] not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.

Ecclesiastes 10:7

I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

Isaiah 47:1

¶ Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: [there is] no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.

Isaiah 47:2

Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.

Joshua 19:29

And [then] the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:

Isaiah 32:13

Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns [and] briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy [in] the joyous city: