Isaiah Chapter 23 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Isaiah 23:1
A prophecy about Tzor: Howl, you "Tarshish" ships, because the harbor is destroyed! On returning from Kittim, they discover they cannot enter it.
Tyre was the chief city of the Phoenicians and they were known for their making and sailing of ships. Cyprus is an island to the west of Tyre in the Mediterranean Ocean. Many of the ships that were heading to Tyre would have passed by Cyprus on their way. Here, we are not told why Tyre was going to be judged but we know the answer from Ezekiel 26. When Judah was taken into captivity by Babylon, Tyre had rejoiced and saw business opportunities. This was, in effect, cursing Israel and, because of God's promise to Avraham (in Genesis 12:3), he was obligated to judge Tyre for it.
Isaiah 23:2–3
Silence, you who live on the coast, you who have been enriched by the merchants of Tzidon crossing the sea. By the great water the grain of Shichor, the harvest of the Nile, brought you profits. She was marketplace for the nations.
Tyre consisted of settlements of the mainland of Lebanon as well as a fortified island off the coast. Sidon had been the chief city and the mother of Tyre but was quickly surpassed by Tyre as the chief city. The people of Sidon and Tyre were made rich by their shipping empire. Egypt and all of the other nations in the area used the Phoenician ships to transport their grain and other merchandise.
Isaiah 23:4
Shame, Tzidon, for the sea speaks; the fortress of the sea says, "I no longer have labor pains or bear children, yet I have raised neither boys nor girls."
The Phoenicians thought that they had a natural ability and right to rule the seas. In this verse, they are reminded that it is the God of Israel that gives people their talents and abilities. The same type of thing happens today as many people become famous for one thing or another but do not acknowledge that it is God that gave them the talent. Some even go so far as to ridicule Christians who give God the credit for their success. Like Tyre, they too will be judged for their treatment of God's children.
Isaiah 23:5
When the report reaches Egypt, they will be in anguish at the fate of Tzor.
The nations, as represented by Egypt, would mourn the loss of the great Phoenician trading ships.
Isaiah 23:6–7
Cross over to Tarshish! Howl, you who live on the coast! Is this your boisterous city, whose feet long ago in antiquity carried her off to found distant colonies?
The first part of the prophecy dealt with the settlements on the mainland of Lebanon. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon laid siege to the city and most of the residents fled to live on the island. Tarshish probably refers to a city in southern Spain called Tartessus which is Tarshish in Aramaic. It seems that God was giving the people of the island city of Tyre a chance to flee to the west. Nebuchadnezzar did not take the city but it was eventually taken and leveled by Alexander the Great. It was taken by connecting the island to the mainland by a causeway which allowed the siege engines to break down the fortified walls of the island city.
Isaiah 23:8–9
Who planned this against Tzor, the city that once bestowed crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are honored throughout the earth? ADONAI-Tzva'ot planned it to break the pride of all the arrogant, to humiliate all those who are honored everywhere on earth.
Isaiah makes it clear that this is a judgment from God and that it is a warning to all of the nations of the earth but especially to the proud. Tyre was a great city of the time and its people were respected for their business skills but God humbled her and will humble the nations of the earth. We remember that Tyre had come under judgment for the fact that she rejoiced at the captivity of Judah and wanted to profit from that captivity. This should be a wake-up call for the rich and powerful nations of the earth as Isaiah says that Tyre was brought down to humble all of the renowned of the earth. This is talking about the proud nations that have wealth and power but do not acknowledge that it all comes from the Lord Almighty.
Isaiah 23:10–12
People of Tarshish! Nothing restricts you now. You can flow freely over your land just like the Nile River. He has stretched out his hand against the sea, he has shaken kingdoms; ADONAI has ordered that Kena'an's fortresses be destroyed. He has said, "Exult no more, oppressed virgin daughter of Tzidon. Arise, cross to Kittim; even there you will find no rest."
This judgment has far reaching consequences as all of the city states of the Phoenicians depended on Tyre and its harbor. They would be forced to return to farming instead of selling their goods around the world. It is once again made clear that the sea is not a god but the one true God is the one that has brought this about. This judgment has to do with the island of Tyre as it was highly fortified but was conquered by Alexander the Great. He built a causeway and connected the island to the mainland so that he could get his battering rams to the walls.
Isaiah 23:13
Look at the land of the Kasdim! This was the people who did not exist when Ashur destined it for desert creatures. They erected their siege towers and tore down her palaces, so that it has been made a ruin.
The Assyrians under Sennacherib defeated the Babylonians in the year 689 BCE. Babylon was laid waste at that time and the destruction of Tyre is compared to it. We must remember that Isaiah prophesied all of this before the fall. At the time of the destruction of Tyre, they would have been able to look back on what had happened to Babylon.
Isaiah 23:14
Howl, you "Tarshish" ships, because your fortress is destroyed.
All of the city states that had depended on the Phoenicians would have mourned at its destruction. This same type of thing is described in the last days as the people mourn the destruction of the new Babylon commercial system (see Revelation 18). This will be a system of trade that excludes God's people and the system and its city will be destroyed just like Tyre.
Isaiah 23:15–16
When that day comes, Tzor will be forgotten for seventy years, the lifetime of a king. After seventy years, its fate will be the same as that of the prostitute in this song: "Take a lyre, walk the city, you poor, forgotten whore! Play sweetly, sing all your songs, so that they will remember you!"
For seventy years, Tyre was to be desolate but, at the end of that time, she would once again attract business.
Isaiah 23:17
After seventy years are over ADONAI will remember Tzor. She will receive her wages again and prostitute herself to all the world's kingdoms on the face of the earth.
Today the city is the fourth largest in Lebanon and is a major port as well as a tourist destination. A "prostitute nation" was one that had abandoned the business principles of God and sought only the highest of profits. This could be said of many cities and nations in the world today and speaks of the coming worldwide system of commerce.
Isaiah 23:18
But her merchandise and profits will be dedicated to ADONAI; they will not be stored up or hoarded, because her profits will be for those living in ADONAI's presence, so that they can eat their fill and wear fine clothing.
There is a time that is coming when all of the riches of the earth will be brought to the Lord. This will be during what is known as the Millennial Reign and all of the nations will bring their finest to Jerusalem.