This prophecy respects Tyre, and extends only to the end of this chapter. It is made up of a succession of “apostrophes” directed either to Tyre itself, or to the nations with which it was accustomed to trade. The first part of the prophecy Isaiah 23:1 is occupied with the account of the “judicial s... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BURDEN OF TYRE - (see the note at Isaiah 13:1) HOWL - This is a highly poetic description of the destruction that was coming on Tyre. The ships of Tarshish traded there; and the prophet now addresses the ships, and calls upon them to lament because the commerce by which they had been enriched w... [ Continue Reading ]
BE STILL - This is the description of a city which is destroyed, where the din of commerce, and the sound of revelry is no longer heard. It is an address of the prophet to Tyre, indicating that it would be soon still, and destroyed. YE INHABITANTS OF THE ISLE - (of Tyre). The word ‘isle’ (אי _'iy_)... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BY GREAT WATERS - That is, by the abundant-waters, or the overflowing of the Nile. Tyre was the mart to which the superabundant productions of Egypt were borne (see Ezekiel 27) THE SEED OF SIHOR - There can be no doubt that by ‘Sihor’ here is meant the river Nile in Egypt (see Joshua 13:3; 1 Chr... [ Continue Reading ]
BE THOU ASHAMED, O ZIDON - Tyre was a colony of Sidon. Sidon is here addressed as the mother of Tyre, and is called on to lament over her daughter that was destroyed. In Isaiah 23:12, Tyre is called the ‘daughter of Sidon;’ and such appellations were commonly given to cities (see the note at Isaiah... [ Continue Reading ]
AS AT THE REPORT CONCERNING EGYPT - According to our translation, this verse would seem to mean that the Sidonians and other nations had been pained or grieved at the report of the calamities that had come upon Egypt, and that they would be similarly affected at the report concerning Tyre. In accord... [ Continue Reading ]
PASS YE OVER - That is, ye inhabitants of tyre. This is an address to Tyre, in view of her approaching destruction; and is designed to signify that when the city was destroyed, its inhabitants would flee to its colonies, and seek refuge and safety there. As Tarshish was one of its principal colonies... [ Continue Reading ]
IS THIS YOUR JOYOUS CITY - Is this the city that was just now so full of happiness, of revelry, of business, of gaiety, of rejoicing? (see the note at Isaiah 22:2) WHOSE ANTIQUITY IS OF ANCIENT DAYS - Strabo (xvi. 756) says, ‘After Sidon, Tyre, a splendid and most ancient city, is to be compared in... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO HATH TAKEN THIS COUNSEL? - To whom is this to be traced? Is this the work of man, or is it the plan of God? - questions which would naturally arise at the contemplation of the ruin of a city so ancient and so magnificent. The object of this question is to trace it all to God; and this perhaps in... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD OF HOSTS HATH PURPOSED IT - (see the note at Isaiah 1:9). It is not by human counsel that it has been done. Whoever is the instrument, yet the overthrow of wicked, proud, and vicious cities and nations is to be traced to the God who rules in the empires and kingdoms of the earth (see the no... [ Continue Reading ]
PASS THROUGH THY LAND AS A RIVER - This verse has been very variously understood. Vitringa supposes that it means that all that held the city together - its fortifications, walls, etc., would be laid waste, and that as a river flows on without obstruction, so the inhabitants would be scattered far a... [ Continue Reading ]
HE STRETCHED OUT HIS HAND - That is, Yahweh (see Isaiah 23:9). To stretch out the hand is indicative of punishment (see the notes at Isaiah 5:25; Isaiah 9:12), and means that God has resolved to inflict exemplary punishment on Tyre and its dependent colonies. OVER THE SEA - That is, over the sea coa... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID - God said Isaiah 23:9. THOU SHALT NO MORE REJOICE - The sense is, that Tyre was soon to be destroyed. It does not mean that it should never afterward exult or rejoice, for the prophet says Isaiah 23:17, that after its destruction it would be restored, and again be filled with exultatio... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD THE LAND OF THE CHALDEANS - This is a very important verse, as it expresses the source from where these calamities were coming upon Tyre; and as it states some historical facts of great interest respecting the rise of Babylon. In the previous verses the prophet had foretold the certain destru... [ Continue Reading ]
“Howl ... Isaiah 23:1. FOR YOUR STRENGTH - That which has been your support and strength; to wit, Tyre (compare Ezekiel 26:15).... [ Continue Reading ]
TYRE SHALL BE FORGOTTEN - Shall cease to be a place of importance in commerce; shall be unheard of in those distant places to which ships formerly sailed. SEVENTY YEARS, ACCORDING TO THE DAYS OF ONE KING - ‘That is, of one kingdom (see Daniel 7:17; Daniel 8:20).’ (Lowth) The word ‘king’ may denote d... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE AN HARP - This is a continuation of the figure commenced in the previous verse, a direct command to Tyre as an harlot, to go about the city with the usual expressions of rejoicing. Thus Donatus, in Terent. Eunuch., iii. 2, 4, says: ‘_Fidicinam esse meretricum est_;’ And thus Horace: ‘_Nec me... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD WILL VISIT TYRE - He will restore her to her former wealth and magnificence. AND SHE SHALL TURN TO HER HIRE - The word ‘hire’ here denotes the wages or reward that is given to an harlot; and the idea which was commenced in the previous verses is here continued - of Tyre as an harlot - friv... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HER MERCHANDISE - The prophecy here does not mean that this would take place immediately after her rebuilding, but that subsequent to the seventy years of desolation this would occur. SHALL BE HOLINESS TO THE LORD - This undoubtedly means, that at some future period, after the rebuilding of Tyre... [ Continue Reading ]