Isaiah 23:1 kjv
The 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.
Isaiah 23:1 nkjv
The 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.
Isaiah 23:1 niv
A 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.
Isaiah 23:1 esv
The 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.
Isaiah 23:1 nlt
This 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.
Isaiah 23 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 23:1 | The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste... | Jeremiah 25:15 (Burden against nations) |
| Isaiah 23:1 | ...so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of the Chittim... | Ezekiel 27:6 (Ships of Tarshish) |
| Isaiah 23:1 | ...from the land of the Chittim it is revealed to them. | Jeremiah 2:10 (Criticism of foreign lands) |
| Isaiah 23:2 | Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon,... | Ezekiel 26:2 (Judgment on Zidon) |
| Isaiah 23:2 | ...that pass over the sea, have replenished thee. | Revelation 18:19 (Lament for Babylon) |
| Isaiah 23:3 | And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river was her... | Jeremiah 51:13 (Waters of Babylon) |
| Isaiah 23:3 | ...revenue; and she was a mart of nations. | Proverbs 3:13-14 (Value of wisdom/riches) |
| Isaiah 23:4 | Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength... | Jeremiah 16:12 (Nations turn from God) |
| Isaiah 23:4 | ...of the sea, saying, I have not travailed, nor brought forth children... | Isaiah 54:1 (Enlargement of the tent) |
| Isaiah 23:4 | ...neither have I nourished up young men, nor brought up virgins. | Psalm 72:10 (Kings will offer gifts) |
| Isaiah 23:5 | As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall the report concerning... | Jeremiah 48:2 (Judgment on Moab) |
| Isaiah 23:5 | ...Tyre be grievous unto them. | 1 Kings 5:7 (Alliance between Solomon and Tyre) |
| Isaiah 23:6 | Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle. | Genesis 10:4 (Descendants of Japheth) |
| Isaiah 23:7 | Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? | Psalm 89:47 (Fleetingness of human life) |
| Isaiah 23:8 | Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose... | Isaiah 10:5-7 (Assyria as God's rod) |
| Isaiah 23:8 | ...merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the... | John 12:6 (Judas the traitor) |
| Isaiah 23:8 | ...earth? | Romans 1:29 (Gifts of the Spirit) |
| Isaiah 23:9 | The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory,... | Jeremiah 25:26 (Nations drinking wrath) |
| Isaiah 23:9 | ...and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth. | Philippians 3:19 (Mind set on earthly things) |
| Isaiah 23:10 | Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish; there is... | Ezekiel 28:16 (Judgment on the prince of Tyre) |
| Isaiah 23:10 | ...no more strength. | Revelation 18:21 (Babylon cast down) |
| Isaiah 23:11 | He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD... | Amos 9:6 (God's dominion) |
| Isaiah 23:11 | ...hath given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the... | Matthew 21:13 (House of prayer desecrated) |
| Isaiah 23:11 | ...strong holds thereof. | Nahum 2:11 (Nineveh's judgment) |
Isaiah 23 verses
Isaiah 23 1 Meaning
This verse announces the impending destruction of Tyre, a prominent and prosperous Phoenician city known for its maritime trade and wealth. The declaration of a "burden" signifies a divine judgment and a message of woe against this city. It implies that Tyre's luxurious lifestyle and powerful influence will be brought down by God.
Isaiah 23 1 Context
Chapter 23 of Isaiah is a prophetic oracle of judgment specifically against Tyre. Tyre, a Phoenician city-state situated on an island, was a major commercial and maritime power. Its prosperity was built on trade, its ships sailing to distant lands like Tarshish (likely in Spain). Tyre was renowned for its wealth, its skilled artisans, and its luxurious lifestyle. However, this very prosperity had led to pride, idolatry, and a disregard for other nations, particularly for the people of God. This chapter follows the pronouncements of judgment against various nations and the overarching themes of God's sovereignty and the coming kingdom. The "burden" against Tyre is a divine declaration of its impending downfall, a consequence of its arrogance and exploitation. The prophecy spans a considerable period, hinting at destruction by powers like Babylon and later, Rome, and also has eschatological implications regarding a final judgment on all oppressive powers.
Isaiah 23 1 Word Analysis
- The (Strong's H853) - A definite article, pointing to a specific subject.
- burden (Strong's H4853) - "massa". This signifies a message of judgment, a heavy pronouncement, a weighty oracle or prophecy of doom. It implies something difficult to bear.
- of (Strong's H4729) - A preposition, indicating origin or belonging.
- Tyre (Strong's H6865) - "Tsor". A significant Phoenician coastal city. Known for its wealth, maritime power, and commercial influence. It was strategically located and heavily fortified, particularly its island citadel.
- Howl (Strong's H3213) - "yilelu". An imperative verb. To wail, cry out in distress and grief. It conveys a deep sense of lamentation.
- ye (Strong's H859) - A plural pronoun. Referring to the people addressed.
- ships (Strong's H5577) - "siyyot". Plural of "siyyah". Specifically refers to ships, particularly seafaring vessels. The context highlights maritime commerce.
- of (Strong's H4729) - Preposition indicating origin.
- Tarshish (Strong's H8655) - "Tarshish". A far-western port, possibly in modern Spain. It was a major trading partner, associated with precious metals and exotic goods.
- for (Strong's H3588) - "ki". A conjunction indicating cause or reason.
- it (Strong's H1931) - "hu". A pronoun referring to Tyre.
- is (Strong's H1961) - "hayah". To be. In this context, indicating a completed or future state.
- laid waste (Strong's H8074) - "shoddekah". Causative form of "shadad". To be destroyed, ruined, made desolate, devastated. Emphasizes forceful destruction.
- , (no equivalent word)
- so (Strong's H3651) - "ken". In this manner, thus.
- that (Strong's H834) - "asher". Relative pronoun, introducing a consequence.
- there (Strong's H8033) - "sham". In that place.
- is (Strong's H1961) - "hayah". To be.
- no (Strong's H369) - "ayin". Negation.
- house (Strong's H1004) - "bayith". Dwelling, habitation. Refers to habitations or structures.
- , (no equivalent word)
- no (Strong's H369) - "ayin". Negation.
- entering in (Strong's H930) - "bow'". To come in, go in, enter. Suggests desolation, absence of inhabitants, no access.
- : (no equivalent word)
- from (Strong's H4480) - "min". Preposition of origin.
- the (Strong's H853) - Definite article.
- land (Strong's H776) - "erets". Land, earth, territory.
- of (Strong's H4729) - Preposition of origin.
- the (Strong's H853) - Definite article.
- Chittim (Strong's H3789) - "Kittiyim". Descendants of Kittim, son of Javan. Associated with Cyprus and generally the western Mediterranean, including Italians (Elishah, Tarshish). This implies the message of judgment comes via maritime routes and affects peoples connected to the sea.
- it (Strong's H1931) - "hu". Pronoun referring to the news or report.
- is (Strong's H1961) - "hayah". To be.
- revealed (Strong's H1540) - "galah". To uncover, reveal. Indicates intelligence about Tyre's fate is spreading.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "The burden of Tyre": This opening sets the tone and theme. The "burden" is a heavy, negative prophetic oracle from God. Tyre, the wealthy maritime city, is the target of this divine judgment.
- "Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste": This highlights the widespread impact of Tyre's fall. Even the powerful trading ships and their destinations (like Tarshish) are affected, signifying a collapse in commerce and the cause of the distress for the merchants associated with Tyre.
- "so that there is no house, no entering in": This phrase powerfully conveys absolute desolation. The city is so utterly destroyed and abandoned that its structures are empty and inaccessible, signifying total ruin.
- "from the land of the Chittim it is revealed to them": This points to the source of the intelligence about Tyre's impending doom. The Chittim, representing western seafaring nations, receive this devastating news, emphasizing the broad awareness and reach of this prophecy. It also suggests that news from the West brings this warning or revelation.
Isaiah 23 1 Bonus Section
Tyre's historical arrogance and alliance with hostile powers against Israel (Ezekiel 28) contributed to its judgment. The "ships of Tarshish" were central to its economic prosperity, enabling it to act as a global marketplace. The "Chittim" were considered part of the broader Mediterranean maritime powers, highlighting how news of Tyre's collapse would spread and impact distant regions. The oracle emphasizes not just the physical destruction of the city, but the economic devastation that would result, affecting its trading partners and signaling the end of an era of unchecked commercial hubris. This judgment serves as a powerful reminder that earthly wealth and power are subject to divine authority.
Isaiah 23 1 Commentary
The initial pronouncement is a divine declaration of judgment against Tyre, characterized by the word "burden" (massa). This signifies a weighty and inevitable message of woe. The prophecy immediately addresses the "ships of Tarshish," which represented the pinnacle of Tyre's global trade network. The message to them is to "howl," indicating great distress and lamentation because Tyre, their prosperous partner, "is laid waste." The destruction is so complete ("no house, no entering in") that the city becomes utterly desolate. The source of this revelation, that the downfall is so widespread it affects those connected through commerce (the Chittim, who are tied to the sea routes), indicates the significant economic and political ripple effect of Tyre's ruin. Tyre's arrogance and idolatry, stemming from its immense wealth, provoked God's judgment. Its fall is a demonstration of God's ultimate power over all nations and commercial enterprises.