Isaiah 2 16

Isaiah 2:16 kjv

And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.

Isaiah 2:16 nkjv

Upon all the ships of Tarshish, And upon all the beautiful sloops.

Isaiah 2:16 niv

for every trading ship and every stately vessel.

Isaiah 2:16 esv

against all the ships of Tarshish, and against all the beautiful craft.

Isaiah 2:16 nlt

He will destroy all the great trading ships
and every magnificent vessel.

Isaiah 2 16 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Isa 2:11The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted...God humbles pride
Isa 2:12For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up...Day of Lord's judgment on pride
Isa 2:17And the haughtiness of man shall be bowed down, and the lofty looks of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted...Reiterates God's exaltation, man's humbling
Isa 2:18And the idols he shall utterly abolish.God judges idolatry (linked to human constructs)
Isa 23:1The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish...Judgment on maritime commercial power
Isa 23:9The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.God's purpose to humble pride and honor
Eze 27:26Your rowers have brought you into great waters: the east wind hath broken you in the midst of the seas.Judgment on Tyre's ships & commerce
Eze 28:5By thy great wisdom and by thy traffic hast thou increased thy riches, and thy heart is lifted up because of thy riches...Pride in wealth and trade
Joel 3:14Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.Day of the Lord's universal judgment
Amos 8:4Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn?...Judgment on economic exploitation
Zeph 1:14The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD...Nearness of Day of the Lord
Ps 33:16There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.Human power is futile without God
Prov 16:18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.Universal truth about pride's fall
Lk 12:19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.Folly of trusting in worldly riches
Rev 18:11And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more...Judgment on economic power (Babylon)
Rev 18:17For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors...Sudden collapse of maritime trade/wealth
James 4:6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.God opposes the proud
1 Pet 5:5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.Call to humility, God resists proud
Isa 13:6Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.The Day of the Lord brings destruction
Isa 5:16But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.God exalted through judgment
Hab 2:9Woe to him who covets evil gain for his house, that he may set his nest on high...Condemnation of wealth built on greed
Ps 49:6Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches.Folly of trusting in wealth

Isaiah 2 verses

Isaiah 2 16 Meaning

Isaiah 2:16 prophesies God's comprehensive judgment on all that is exalted, proud, and representative of human wealth, enterprise, and luxury. Specifically, it highlights "all the ships of Tarshish" as symbols of global commerce, immense wealth, and distant human achievements, and "all the pleasant craft" representing artistic beauty, luxurious goods, and the pinnacle of human craftsmanship and desirable possessions. This judgment underscores the ultimate humbling of all human grandeur and self-sufficiency, revealing that only the Lord will be exalted on the coming "Day of the Lord."

Isaiah 2 16 Context

Isaiah chapter 2 opens with a prophetic vision of God's future glory, when Jerusalem and the temple will be the center of true worship and peace, and all nations will stream to it. However, this peaceful future is immediately contrasted with the present reality and impending judgment. The bulk of the chapter, particularly from verse 6 onward, describes Judah's spiritual corruption, its reliance on foreign alliances, its pervasive idolatry, and its overwhelming pride in its own strength, wealth, and achievements.

Isaiah 2:16 is part of a longer passage (verses 12-17) that meticulously lists the objects of God's coming "Day of the Lord." This "Day" is portrayed as a time when everything that is humanly "high," "lofty," and "lifted up"—whether it be cedars of Lebanon, oaks of Bashan, high mountains, fortified walls, or in verse 16, grand ships and fine craftsmanship—will be brought low. The repetition of "every one," "all," and "upon all" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this divine judgment. This verse specifically targets symbols of international power, advanced technology (for its time), and luxury goods that fostered a spirit of self-sufficiency and reliance on human ingenuity rather than on God. It stands as a polemic against the false security and pride derived from economic success and material possessions.

Isaiah 2 16 Word analysis

  • and upon all: This introductory phrase, repeated from earlier verses, stresses the sweeping and comprehensive nature of the judgment. It indicates that nothing escapes divine scrutiny.
  • the ships: (Hebrew: אֳנִיּוֹת, ’ōniyyôṯ).
    • Meaning: Large sea vessels, typically cargo ships used for international trade. These were significant investments and represented substantial economic power.
    • Significance: In ancient times, ships were technological marvels and symbols of a nation's ability to project power, establish trade routes, and accumulate vast wealth. Their destruction signifies the humbling of human enterprise, global reach, and economic pride.
  • of Tarshish: (Hebrew: תַּרְשִׁישׁ, Taršîš).
    • Meaning: A renowned ancient port city, likely Tartessos in modern-day Spain. It was famous for its abundant mineral resources (silver, tin, lead, iron) and its extensive maritime trade networks across the Mediterranean. Ships capable of reaching Tarshish were large, sturdy, and designed for long-distance, high-volume cargo.
    • Significance: "Ships of Tarshish" became a metonymy for the largest, strongest, and most magnificent seafaring vessels of the ancient world. They symbolized the pinnacle of human commercial ambition, international economic power, vast wealth derived from distant trade, and the far reaches of human exploration and ingenuity. To bring down "all the ships of Tarshish" means to shatter the very foundations of international commerce and the pride that accompanies such prosperity and advanced capability.
  • and upon all: Repetition for emphasis on universality and inclusiveness.
  • the pleasant: (Hebrew: חֲמֻדוֹת, ḥămûḏōwṯ).
    • Meaning: Desirable, precious, beautiful, delightful. This word often describes things highly valued, whether for their intrinsic worth, beauty, or luxurious appeal.
    • Significance: The emphasis shifts from mere utility or economic power to the aesthetic and luxury aspects of human creations. It targets human appreciation for beauty and comfort, which can also become a source of pride or misplaced reliance.
  • craft: (Hebrew: צִיּוּרֹת, ṣiyyūrōṯ).
    • Meaning: Artistic works, carved images, designs, or exquisite craftsmanship. It can refer to beautifully decorated vessels themselves, or the precious and desirable goods transported by such vessels, or any object crafted with skill and beauty.
    • Significance: This signifies the judgment extending to humanity's artistic achievements, skilled labor, and objects of luxury and desire. When human creativity and possessions become a source of ultimate security or a reason for human boasting, they too fall under God's judgment. It shows that not just crude power but even refined culture, if elevated above God, will be brought low.
  • all the ships of Tarshish: This phrase refers to the grandest and most technologically advanced merchant ships, representing humanity's most ambitious commercial enterprises and accumulation of wealth through global trade. It symbolizes economic strength, international power, and the far-reaching extent of human endeavors and resourcefulness. This entire sphere, no matter how impressive, will be brought low.
  • and all the pleasant craft: This phrase encompasses all forms of human artistry, luxury items, and highly desirable possessions that speak of human refinement, skill, and material comfort. It indicates that God's judgment extends beyond sheer power or wealth to include even the objects of human aesthetic appreciation and desire, especially when they become idols or sources of pride.

Isaiah 2 16 Bonus section

The motif of the "ships of Tarshish" appears elsewhere in the prophetic books, often linked to international trade, wealth, and their eventual judgment, as seen prominently in Ezekiel's lament over Tyre (Eze 27-28), which parallels Isaiah's judgment on maritime power. This recurring image underscores a broader prophetic theme: the pride born of material prosperity and global influence is particularly vulnerable to divine judgment. The emphasis on "pleasant craft" can be linked to the concept of idols or objects of worship crafted by human hands, as detailed later in Isaiah 44 and other prophetic books, where people trust in their own creations rather than the Creator. This verse acts as a direct challenge to the ancient world's belief that material success and sophisticated civilization were marks of divine favor or inherent human superiority, powerfully stating that even these ultimate symbols of human ingenuity and comfort are utterly dependent on God's allowance and will be dismantled when His righteous judgment comes.

Isaiah 2 16 Commentary

Isaiah 2:16, within the larger prophetic vision of the "Day of the Lord," illustrates God's unreserved judgment on all expressions of human pride and self-reliance. The "ships of Tarshish" represent the zenith of human economic ambition, international trade, and the wealth it accumulated, embodying humanity's global reach and reliance on its own ingenuity. "Pleasant craft" broadens this to include luxury, artistic achievement, and any finely made object of desire that contributes to a sense of human glory or self-sufficiency. God's purpose is not to condemn trade or art in themselves, but the spirit of haughtiness, trust in worldly riches, and independence from divine authority that often accompany them. The message is clear: on God's great day, nothing of human construction, wealth, or beauty that has been elevated above Him will stand. Everything lofty will be laid low, so that the Lord alone may be exalted, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over all creation and human endeavors.