Isaiah 23

The subject of this chapter is the overthrow of Tyre (1-14); its depression for a period of seventy years, and its subsequent restoration to its former prosperity and wealth, which should be consecrated to God’s service (15-18). As Assyria represented military power, so Tyre represented commerce. This ancient city of the Phœnicians (7), a colony of Zidon, was situated on the north coast of Palestine, and was built partly on the mainland and partly on an island near the shore. It was for ages the great centre of the world’s commerce; and planted its colonies (among which was the powerful city of Carthage) along the coasts of Asia Minor, Greece, Cyprus, Africa, and Spain.

1 ships of Tarshish. See note on 1 Kings x. 22. The mariners of Phœnicia, putting in at Cyprus on their homeward voyage, hear with consternation the tidings of the fate that has befallen Tyre: the harbour which they joyfully hoped to re-enter has been swept away.

the land of Chittim. See note on Numb. xxiv. 24.

2 the isle. i.e., the coast-land of Phœnicia.

3 the seed of Sihor. “Sihor” (the black, or muddy) is a name of the Nile, here also called “the River.” Egypt, fertilised by the mud of the overflowing Nile, produced a great abundance of grain, which was exported by the Tyrian merchants “by” (or “on”) great waters, i.e., the Mediterranean.

4 the strength of the sea. Or, “the stronghold of the sea”: i.e., Tyre: see Ezek. xxvi. 17. Tyre complains of being left desolate and solitary, like a widow who has never had children.

5. As at the report concerning Egypt. Rather, “When the tidings come to Egypt”: see R.V. The Egyptians would be troubled, not only by the loss of trade with Tyre, but by the downfall of a powerful stronghold against invasion from the east: see ver. 14.

7. Her own feet, etc. “Whose feet carried her afar off,” etc. (R.V.), alluding to the commercial travels of the Tyrians.

8 the crowning [city]. That is, the dispenser of crowns: many of her colonies being governed by kings under the mother state.

10. Pass through thy land as a river, etc. Rather, “Overflow thy land as the river” (i.e., the Nile).

11 against the merchant [city]. Lit., “against Canaan”: the Phœnicians being Canaanites, dwellers on “the lowland,” as the name imports.

12 thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon. The “daughter of Zidon” (or the Zidonians) here means the Phœnicians generally.

Chittim. Cyprus. Here too they would seek refuge, but in vain. Luli, king of Zidon, fled to Cyprus on the approach of Sennacherib (Records of the Past, vii. 61).

13. Behold the land of the Chaldeans, etc. The R.V. reads, “Behold the land of the Chaldeans: this people is no more; the Assyrian hath appointed it for the beasts of the wilderness; they set up their towers, they overthrew the palaces thereof; they made it a ruin.” The Assyrians had overrun and wasted Babylonia; and the same fate would befall Phœnicia.

15 the days of one king. That is, probably one kingdom or dynasty. Tyre would regain her commercial importance, though not her independence.

shall Tyre sing as a harlot. Or, “it shall be unto Tyre as [in] the song of the harlot.” A song of which “the harlot” is the subject rather than the singer. Tyre shall make use of every means to bring herself into notice. The next verse quotes the refrain of the song.

17 shall commit fornication. This term, suggested by the word “harlot” in vers. 15, 16, is used metaphorically, and denotes the commercial intercourse of Tyre with foreign nations, the gains of her commerce being similarly expressed by the word “hire.”

18 her merchandise, etc. The wealth of Tyre shall be made to benefit the servants of Jehovah.

that dwell before the Lord. Not only for the priests, who “stand before Jehovah,” but for the people of the Holy Land. The renewed commerce of Tyre with the Jews after the captivity is intimated (Ezra iii. 7; Neh. xiii. 16); comp. Psa. xlv. 12.

These chapters form one prophecy, consisting of a description of calamities (xxiv.); a song of praise for deliverance from them, and for the spread of the true religion which would ensue (xxv.); another song of praise celebrating the triumphs of this religion (xxvi.); and a prediction of the happy effects of these events on the character of the people of God (xxvii.). The language is so general as to suggest that it does not refer exclusively to any one period or event, but is rather intended to show the extreme measures to which God would resort in order to purify His

people and to convert the world, as well as the beneficial results of His judgements. It would thus, in all the calamities which befell the Hebrew nation, point to their Author and design, and supply to the sufferers consolation and hope.