INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 23 This chapter gives an account both of the desolation and restoration of Tyre, an ancient city of Phoenicia. Its desolation is described as so complete, that a house was not left in it, Isaiah 23:1 and by the fewness and stillness of the inhabitants of it, with which it had... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BURDEN OF TYRE,.... Or a prophecy concerning the destruction of it. The Targum is, "the burden of the cup of cursing, to give Tyre to drink.'' This was a famous city in Phoenicia, which exceeded in renown and grandeur all the cities of Syria and Phoenicia h, and was much known for its trade an... [ Continue Reading ]
BE STILL, YE INHABITANTS OF THE ISLE,.... Either the isles of Chittim, or other islands that traded with Tyre, the singular being put for the plural, called upon to grieve and mourn, because the city of their merchandise was destroyed, as Kimchi; or of Tyre itself, which being situated at some dista... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BY GREAT WATERS THE SEED OF SIHOR,.... Sihor is the river Nile in Egypt; it had its name from the black colour of its waters, as in Jeremiah 2:18 hence called by the Greeks Melas, and by the Latins Melo: the "seed" of it intends what was sown and grew upon the banks of it, or was nourished by th... [ Continue Reading ]
BE THOU ASHAMED, O ZIDON,.... A city near to Tyre, about twenty five miles from it; Jarchi says it was within a day's walk of it; these two cities, as they were near to each other, so they were closely allied together, and traded much with one another, so that the fall of Tyre must be distressing an... [ Continue Reading ]
AS AT THE REPORT CONCERNING EGYPT,.... Its future destruction prophesied of, Isaiah 19:1 or what had in times past befallen it when the ten plagues were inflicted on it, and Pharaoh and his host were drowned in the Red Sea; the report of which filled the neighbouring nations with fear and trembling,... [ Continue Reading ]
PASS YE OVER TO TARSHISH,.... Either to Tartessus in Spain, or to Tarsus in Cilicia, which lay over against them, and to which they might transport themselves, families, and substance, with greater ease; or "to a province of the sea", as the Targum, any other seaport; the Septuagint says to Carthage... [ Continue Reading ]
[IS] THIS YOUR JOYOUS [CITY]?.... Which the other day looked so gay, brisk, and cheerful, through the number of its inhabitants, largeness of trade, fullness of provisions, and pleasures of every kind; and now distressed and desolate, and no voice of joy and gladness heard in it: WHOSE ANTIQUITY [I... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO HATH TAKEN THIS COUNSEL AGAINST TYRE, THE CROWNING [CITY],.... Which had a king over it, to whom it gave a crown; and which crowned its inhabitants with riches and plenty, and even enriched the kings of the earth, Ezekiel 27:33 this is said as wondering who could lay a scheme to destroy such a c... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD OF HOSTS HATH PURPOSED IT,.... To destroy Tyre; who is wonderful in counsel, capable of forming a wise scheme, and able to put it in execution; being the Lord of armies in heaven and in earth: and his end in it was, TO STAIN THE PRIDE OF ALL GLORY; Tyre being proud of its riches, the exten... [ Continue Reading ]
PASS THROUGH THY LAND AS A RIVER, O DAUGHTER OF TARSHISH,.... Or, "of the sea", as the Vulgate Latin; meaning Tyre, which was situated in the sea, and did, as it were, spring from it, and was fortified by it, and supported by ships of merchandise on it, from various places; but now, being about to b... [ Continue Reading ]
HE STRETCHED OUT HIS HAND OVER THE SEA,.... That is, the Lord of hosts, who had purposed to destroy Tyre, stretched out his hand of power over it, called the sea, as in Isaiah 23:4 because situated in it, supported by it, and had the sovereignty of it; in like manner as he stretched out his hand on... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, THOU SHALT NO MORE REJOICE,.... Not meaning that she should never more rejoice, but not for a long time, as Kimchi interprets it; when her calamity should come upon her, her jovial time, her time of mirth, jollity, and revelling, would be over for a time; for, at the end of seventy year... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD THE LAND OF THE CHALDEANS,.... Not Tyre, as some think, so called, because founded by the Chaldeans, who finding it a proper place for "ships", so they render the word "tziim", afterward used, and which is so interpreted by Jarchi, built the city of Tyre; but the country called Chaldea is her... [ Continue Reading ]
HOWL, YE SHIPS OF TARSHISH,.... As in Isaiah 23:1. Isaiah 23:1: FOR YOUR STRENGTH IS LAID WASTE; meaning Tyre, a strong seaport, where their ships were safe, and always found vent for their goods and merchandise; and so it was the strength and support of their country; but was now destroyed, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY,.... When Tyre is destroyed, from that time forward: THAT TYRE SHALL BE FORGOTTEN SEVENTY YEARS; shall so long lie in its ruin, and not be rebuilt; it shall be without inhabitants, and unfrequented by men; there shall be no merchandise in it during that time; n... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE A HARP, GO ABOUT THE CITY,.... As harlots used to do, that by their music, both vocal and instrumental, they might allure men into their company to commit fornication with them; so Tyre is directed to, or rather this is a prophecy that she should take very artful and ensnaring methods to restor... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS AFTER THE END OF SEVENTY YEARS,.... When the seventy years before mentioned are ended: THAT THE LORD WILL VISIT TYRE; not in judgment, as before, but in mercy: AND SHE SHALL RETURN TO HER HIRE; trade and merchandise; that shall revive, and be as in times past: AND SHALL... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HER MERCHANDISE, AND HER HIRE,.... Or, "but her merchandise", c. not the same as before or, however, not as carried on at the same time, but many ages after, even in the times of the Gospel; for this part of the prophecy respects the conversion of the Tyrians, in the first ages of Christianity;... [ Continue Reading ]