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Isaiah chapter 23

English Standard Version

1The oracle concerning Tyre. Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor! From the land of Cyprus it is revealed to them.
2Be still, O inhabitants of the coast; the merchants of Sidon, who cross the sea, have filled you. 3And on many waters your revenue was the grain of Shihor, the harvest of the Nile; you were the merchant of the nations. 4Be ashamed, O Sidon, for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of the sea, saying: "I have neither labored nor given birth, I have neither reared young men nor brought up young women." 5When the report comes to Egypt, they will be in anguish over the report about Tyre. 6 Cross over to Tarshish; wail, O inhabitants of the coast! 7Is this your exultant city whose origin is from days of old, whose feet carried her to settle far away? 8Who has purposed this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth? 9The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth. 10Cross over your land like the Nile, O daughter of Tarshish; there is no restraint anymore. 11 He has stretched out his hand over the sea; he has shaken the kingdoms; the Lord has given command concerning Canaan to destroy its strongholds. 12And he said: "You will no more exult, O oppressed virgin daughter of Sidon; arise, cross over to Cyprus, even there you will have no rest." 13Behold the land of the Chaldeans! This is the people that was not; Assyria destined it for wild beasts. They erected their siege towers, they stripped her palaces bare, they made her a ruin.
14 Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for your stronghold is laid waste. 15In that day Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, like the days of one king. At the end of seventy years, it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute:
16"Take a harp; go about the city, O forgotten prostitute! Make sweet melody; sing many songs, that you may be remembered." 17At the end of seventy years, the Lord will visit Tyre, and she will return to her wages and will prostitute herself with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth. 18Her merchandise and her wages will be holy to the Lord. It will not be stored or hoarded, but her merchandise will supply abundant food and fine clothing for those who dwell before the Lord.
New International Version

1A prophecy against Tyre: Wail, you ships of Tarshish! For Tyre is destroyed and left without house or harbor. From the land of Cyprus word has come to them. 2Be silent, you people of the island and you merchants of Sidon, whom the seafarers have enriched.
3On the great waters came the grain of the Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre, and she became the marketplace of the nations. 4Be ashamed, Sidon, and you fortress of the sea, for the sea has spoken: "I have neither been in labor nor given birth; I have neither reared sons nor brought up daughters."
5When word comes to Egypt, they will be in anguish at the report from Tyre. 6Cross over to Tarshish; wail, you people of the island. 7Is this your city of revelry, the old, old city, whose feet have taken her to settle in far-off lands? 8Who planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are renowned in the earth?
9The Lord Almighty planned it, to bring down her pride in all her splendor and to humble all who are renowned on the earth. 10Till your land as they do along the Nile, Daughter Tarshish, for you no longer have a harbor. 11The Lord has stretched out his hand over the sea and made its kingdoms tremble. He has given an order concerning Phoenicia that her fortresses be destroyed.
12He said, "No more of your reveling, Virgin Daughter Sidon, now crushed! "Up, cross over to Cyprus; even there you will find no rest."
13Look at the land of the Babylonians, this people that is now of no account! The Assyrians have made it a place for desert creatures; they raised up their siege towers, they stripped its fortresses bare and turned it into a ruin. 14Wail, you ships of Tarshish; your fortress is destroyed!
15At that time Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, the span of a king’s life. But at the end of these seventy years, it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute:
16"Take up a harp, walk through the city, you forgotten prostitute; play the harp well, sing many a song, so that you will be remembered."
17At the end of seventy years, the Lord will deal with Tyre. She will return to her lucrative prostitution and will ply her trade with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. 18Yet her profit and her earnings will be set apart for the Lord; they will not be stored up or hoarded. Her profits will go to those who live before the Lord, for abundant food and fine clothes.
New American Standard Bible

1The pronouncement concerning Tyre: Wail, you ships of Tarshish, For Tyre is destroyed, without house or harbor; It is reported to them from the land of Cyprus. 2Be silent, you inhabitants of the coastland, You merchants of Sidon; Your messengers crossed the sea 3And were on many waters. The grain of the Nile, the harvest of the River was her revenue; And she was the market of nations. 4Be ashamed, Sidon, For the sea speaks, the stronghold of the sea, saying, 'I have neither been in labor nor given birth, I have neither brought up young men nor raised virgins.' 5When the report reaches Egypt, They will be in anguish over the report of Tyre. 6Pass over to Tarshish; Wail, you inhabitants of the coastland. 7Is this your jubilant city, Whose origin is from antiquity, Whose feet used to bring her to colonize distant places? 8Who has planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, Whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth? 9The Lord of armies has planned it, to defile the pride of all beauty, To despise all the honored of the earth. 10 Overflow your land like the Nile, you daughter of Tarshish, There is no more restraint. 11He has stretched His hand out over the sea, He has made the kingdoms tremble; The Lord has given a command concerning Canaan to demolish its strongholds. 12He has said, 'You shall not be jubilant anymore, you crushed virgin daughter of Sidon. Arise, pass over to Cyprus; even there you will find no rest.'
13Behold, the land of the Chaldeans—this is the people that did not exist; Assyria allocated it for desert creatures—they erected their siege towers, they stripped its palaces, they made it a ruin.
14Wail, you ships of Tarshish, For your stronghold is destroyed.
15Now on that day Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years like the days of one king. At the end of seventy years it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute:
16Take your harp, wander around the city, You forgotten prostitute; Pluck the strings skillfully, sing many songs, That you may be remembered.
17It will come about at the end of seventy years that the Lord will visit Tyre. Then she will go back to her prostitute’s wages and commit prostitution with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. 18Her profit and her prostitute’s wages will be sacred to the Lord; it will not be stored up or hoarded, but her profit will become sufficient food and magnificent attire for those who dwell in the presence of the Lord.
Christian Standard Bible

1A pronouncement concerning Tyre: Wail, ships of Tarshish, for your haven has been destroyed. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus. 2Mourn, inhabitants of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon; your agents have crossed the sea 3over deep water. Tyre’s revenue was the grain from Shihor— the harvest of the Nile. She was the merchant among the nations. 4Be ashamed, Sidon, the stronghold of the sea, for the sea has spoken: "I have not been in labor or given birth. I have not raised young men or brought up young women." 5When the news reaches Egypt, they will be in anguish over the news about Tyre. 6Cross over to Tarshish; wail, inhabitants of the coastland! 7Is this your jubilant city, whose origin was in ancient times, whose feet have taken her to reside far away? 8Who planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose traders are princes, whose merchants are the honored ones of the earth? 9The Lord of Armies planned it, to desecrate all its glorious beauty, to disgrace all the honored ones of the earth. 10Overflow your land like the Nile, daughter of Tarshish; there is no longer anything to restrain you. 11He stretched out his hand over the sea; he made kingdoms tremble. The Lord has commanded that the Canaanite fortresses be destroyed. 12He said, "You will not celebrate anymore, ravished young woman, daughter of Sidon. Get up and cross over to Cyprus — even there you will have no rest!" 13Look at the land of the Chaldeans— a people who no longer exist. Assyria destined it for desert creatures. They set up their siege towers and stripped its palaces. They made it a ruin. 14Wail, ships of Tarshish, because your fortress is destroyed!
15On that day Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years—the life span of one king. At the end of seventy years, what the song says about the prostitute will happen to Tyre:
16Pick up your lyre, stroll through the city, you forgotten prostitute. Play skillfully, sing many a song so that you will be remembered.
17And at the end of the seventy years, the Lord will restore Tyre and she will go back into business, prostituting herself with all the kingdoms of the world throughout the earth. 18But her profits and wages will be dedicated to the Lord. They will not be stored or saved, for her profit will go to those who live in the Lord’s presence, to provide them with ample food and sacred clothing.
New Living Translation

1This message came to me concerning Tyre: Wail, you trading ships of Tarshish, for the harbor and houses of Tyre are gone! The rumors you heard in Cyprus are all true. 2Mourn in silence, you people of the coast and you merchants of Sidon. Your traders crossed the sea, 3sailing over deep waters. They brought you grain from Egypt and harvests from along the Nile. You were the marketplace of the world.
4But now you are put to shame, city of Sidon, for Tyre, the fortress of the sea, says, 'Now I am childless; I have no sons or daughters.' 5When Egypt hears the news about Tyre, there will be great sorrow. 6Send word now to Tarshish! Wail, you people who live in distant lands! 7Is this silent ruin all that is left of your once joyous city? What a long history was yours! Think of all the colonists you sent to distant places.
8Who has brought this disaster on Tyre, that great creator of kingdoms? Her traders were all princes, her merchants were nobles. 9The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has done it to destroy your pride and bring low all earth’s nobility. 10Come, people of Tarshish, sweep over the land like the flooding Nile, for Tyre is defenseless. 11The Lord held out his hand over the sea and shook the kingdoms of the earth. He has spoken out against Phoenicia, ordering that her fortresses be destroyed. 12He says, 'Never again will you rejoice, O daughter of Sidon, for you have been crushed. Even if you flee to Cyprus, you will find no rest.'
13Look at the land of Babylonia — the people of that land are gone! The Assyrians have handed Babylon over to the wild animals of the desert. They have built siege ramps against its walls, torn down its palaces, and turned it to a heap of rubble.
14Wail, you ships of Tarshish, for your harbor is destroyed!
15For seventy years, the length of a king’s life, Tyre will be forgotten. But then the city will come back to life as in the song about the prostitute:
16Take a harp and walk the streets, you forgotten harlot. Make sweet melody and sing your songs so you will be remembered again.
17Yes, after seventy years the Lord will revive Tyre. But she will be no different than she was before. She will again be a prostitute to all kingdoms around the world. 18But in the end her profits will be given to the Lord. Her wealth will not be hoarded but will provide good food and fine clothing for the Lord’s priests.
King James Version

1The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.
2Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished. 3And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.
4Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.
5As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre.
6Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.
7Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn.
8Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth?
9The Lord of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.
10Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength.
11He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the Lord hath given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the strong holds thereof.
12And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.
13Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; and he brought it to ruin.
14Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste. 15And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot. 16Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered. 17And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the Lord will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth. 18And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the Lord: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.
New King James Version

1The burden against Tyre. Wail, you ships of Tarshish! For it is laid waste, So that there is no house, no harbor; From the land of Cyprus it is revealed to them. 2Be still, you inhabitants of the coastland, You merchants of Sidon, Whom those who cross the sea have filled. 3And on great waters the grain of Shihor, The harvest of the River, is her revenue; And she is a marketplace for the nations. 4Be ashamed, O Sidon; For the sea has spoken, The strength of the sea, saying, “I do not labor, nor bring forth children; Neither do I rear young men, Nor bring up virgins.” 5 When the report reaches Egypt, They also will be in agony at the report of Tyre. 6Cross over to Tarshish; Wail, you inhabitants of the coastland! 7 Is this your joyous city, Whose antiquity is from ancient days, Whose feet carried her far off to dwell? 8Who has taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, Whose merchants are princes, Whose traders are the honorable of the earth? 9The Lord of hosts has purposed it, To bring to dishonor the pride of all glory, To bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth. 10Overflow through your land like the River, O daughter of Tarshish; There is no more strength. 11He stretched out His hand over the sea, He shook the kingdoms; The Lord has given a commandment against Canaan To destroy its strongholds. 12And He said, “You will rejoice no more, O you oppressed virgin daughter of Sidon. Arise, cross over to Cyprus; There also you will have no rest.” 13Behold, the land of the Chaldeans, This people which was not; Assyria founded it for wild beasts of the desert. They set up its towers, They raised up its palaces, And brought it to ruin. 14 Wail, you ships of Tarshish! For your strength is laid waste.
15Now it shall come to pass in that day that Tyre will be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king. At the end of seventy years it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the harlot:
16“Take a harp, go about the city, You forgotten harlot; Make sweet melody, sing many songs, That you may be remembered.”
17And it shall be, at the end of seventy years, that the Lord will deal with Tyre. She will return to her hire, and commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth. 18Her gain and her pay will be set apart for the Lord; it will not be treasured nor laid up, for her gain will be for those who dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently, and for fine clothing.

What does Isaiah chapter 23 mean?

Isaiah's prophecy against the city of Tyre is the final last of his series of oracles against the nations nearby Judah. The point of these oracles has been to show Judah that none of these nations—who they may have been tempted to turn to for help— was strong enough to protect them. Even the great wealth and natural defenses of a city like Tyre would not be enough to protect it from destruction.

Tyre was a great port city on the Mediterranean coast, about 12 miles, or 19 kilometers, north of the modern border of Israel. During Isaiah's time, it was a thriving center of trade and shipping. The city's natural defenses made it difficult to conquer. Twin islands stood not far off the coast, and natural deep-water harbors made it easily accessible to boats of all sizes from around the world.

This oracle about Tyre's future destruction begins by describing the reaction of various groups. They are responding to the idea that this ancient and powerful city has been wiped out. It is not clear which destruction of Tyre Isaiah is pointing to in this chapter. However, most commentators suggest it is either an attack by the Assyrians during Isaiah's era or the decimation of the city by Alexander the Great in 332 BC.

The prophecy calls for the ships of Tarshish to wail and mourn because everything on Tyre has been destroyed. This includes everything from the harbor to the houses. The sailors get the news when putting in at the large island of Cyprus, about 75 miles, 120 kilometers, off the Phoenician coast. The ships of Tarshish would sail from one end of the Mediterranean to the other. Isaiah pictures these sailors returning from a long voyage only to find their home port obliterated (Isaiah 23:1).

Next, the oracle instructs the inhabitants of the coast, including Sidon to be still, or to mourn, because the source of their enrichment is gone. No more would Egypt's grain be arriving to provide sustenance and revenue. The sea itself seems to grieve the loss of the sailors since it has no children of its own. Egypt's farming economy will be devastated. The people of Tarshish, likely in modern-day Spain, will wail, unable to believe the ancient city has been destroyed (Isaiah 23:2–7).

Regarding who has caused this destruction, Isaiah is clear: It is the Lord of hosts. God has defiled the pompous pride of Tyre and turned its honor to dishonor. He has stretched His hand over the sea, showing it belongs to Him and not to the Canaanite sea god. He has given the command to destroy all the strongholds of Canaan. He tells Sidon, 25 miles, or 40 kilometers, north of Tyre, that the party is over. Running away won't help. The Lord God's judgment has come (Isaiah 23:8–12).

As evidence that the destruction is coming, the Lord tells the people of Tyre to remember Babylon, in the land of the Chaldeans. That once great city and its people have been reduced to nothing since the Lord sent the Assyrians. This invading army set a siege on the city and destroyed it. Tyre, too, will be destroyed (Isaiah 23:13–14).

The city of Tyre will be forgotten, a shell of its former self, for 70 years. When it returns it will make its wages as a prostitute to the all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. This time, however, the Lord declares that her merchandise and wages will be used to supply abundance for the Lord's people. The city's wealth will not just be stored up in Tyre (Isaiah 23:15–18).
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