Isaiah 23 11

Isaiah 23:11 kjv

He 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.

Isaiah 23:11 nkjv

He stretched out His hand over the sea, He shook the kingdoms; The LORD has given a commandment against Canaan To destroy its strongholds.

Isaiah 23:11 niv

The 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.

Isaiah 23:11 esv

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.

Isaiah 23:11 nlt

The 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.

Isaiah 23 verses

Isaiah 23 11 Meaning

Isaiah 23:11 declares the sovereign power of the Lord over the world's commercial and political powers, specifically those epitomized by Tyre and the land of Canaan. It proclaims that God, through a decisive act of His hand, causes nations to tremble and has issued an immutable decree for the complete demolition of Tyre's defenses and power, linking its fate to the ancient judgment upon wicked Canaan.

Isaiah 23 11 Context

Isaiah chapter 23 contains a prophetic burden against Tyre, a dominant maritime city of Phoenicia, renowned for its wealth, trade, and fortified strength. This city was a hub of international commerce, distributing goods and influencing nations through its extensive network. The prophecy foretells its downfall, bringing lamentation to its trading partners and the inhabitants of the coastlands. Verse 11 specifically highlights that this seemingly impenetrable stronghold, with its global influence (represented by the "sea"), is directly targeted by the Lord's hand. The reference to "Canaan" links Tyre's judgment to the historical fate of the wicked inhabitants of the land, against whom Israel was commanded to execute divine judgment, indicating that even Tyre's commercial prowess cannot exempt it from God's holy decree against idolatry and sin. The chapter ultimately hints at a future restoration or recognition of the Lord after a period of seventy years of desolation, redirecting Tyre's profits to God's people.

Isaiah 23 11 Word analysis

• He stretched out his hand (נָטָה יָדוֹ - natah yado): This phrase denotes direct, purposeful action, power, and authority. The "hand" of God is a common biblical metaphor for His active involvement, judgment, and omnipotent intervention. It signifies that Tyre's fate is not a matter of chance or mere political shifting, but the direct result of divine intention.
• over the sea (עַל־הַיָּם - al-hayam): While literally referring to the Mediterranean Sea which was Tyre's source of power and trade routes, "the sea" in prophetic literature can also metaphorically represent peoples, multitudes, nations, and their tumultuous nature (Rev 17:15). This signifies God's ultimate authority over global commerce, international relations, and all the "waves" of human power and activity that Tyre represented.
• he made kingdoms tremble (הִרְגִּיז מַמְלָכוֹת - hirgiz mamlakhot): The verb hirgiz means to cause agitation, disturb, shake, or cause to tremble. This indicates God's sovereign ability to unsettle, disquiet, and overthrow human authorities and established orders. Tyre's fall would send shockwaves throughout the region, affecting other kingdoms economically and politically, showcasing God's universal governance.
• the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His self-existent, eternal nature, and His covenant relationship with Israel. Here, it underscores that the divine will behind Tyre's destruction belongs to the supreme, active, and personal God of creation and history, not some impersonal force or a local deity.
• has given a command (צִוָּה - tsivah): This signifies a direct, authoritative, and irreversible decree. It emphasizes the immutability of God's counsel and the certainty of His spoken word being executed. God's will is not a mere suggestion but an undeniable order.
• concerning Canaan (אֶל־כְּנַעַן - el-kena'an): "Canaan" refers to the ancient land that included Phoenicia, where Tyre was located. It connects Tyre's impending judgment with the long-standing divine judgment against the pagan inhabitants of Canaan (e.g., Deut 20:17). It implies that Tyre, despite its modernity and sophistication, is subject to the same righteous divine standards and historical judgment applied to its morally corrupt predecessors.
• to destroy (לְהַשְׁמִיד - lehashmid): A strong verb meaning to annihilate, lay waste, or utterly demolish. It indicates a complete and decisive obliteration, not merely a temporary setback. This signifies a profound judgment where the city's power and defenses will be entirely removed.
• its strongholds (מִבְצָרֶיהָ - mivtzareha): Refers to fortified places, fortresses, or defenses. Tyre was famous for its seemingly impregnable island city and formidable walls. This highlights God's power to break down even the most humanly secure structures, demonstrating that no human defense can withstand His appointed judgment.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He stretched out his hand over the sea": This phrase metaphorically depicts God's authoritative reach. It portrays God's power extending directly into the realm of human commerce, global influence, and potentially even chaos (the sea often represents chaos), signifying that no domain is beyond His direct intervention and control.
• "he made kingdoms tremble": This speaks to the global repercussions of God's action. God is not merely concerned with one city but with His ultimate authority over all earthly powers and nations. He orchestrates events that cause even the mightiest human authorities to fear and recognize His supremacy.
• "the Lord has given a command concerning Canaan": This clarifies the source of the judgment as YHWH Himself and pinpoints the specific target. The command underlines divine intentionality and predetermined will. Referencing "Canaan" places Tyre's downfall within the larger biblical narrative of God's righteous judgment against idolatry and sin associated with that land since ancient times.
• "to destroy its strongholds": This describes the specific, devastating nature of the decree. It details the dismantling of the very foundations of Tyre's security and confidence—its formidable defenses and commercial dominance. This is a complete removal of its human sources of trust, proving that true security is found only in the Lord.

Isaiah 23 11 Bonus section

The historical fulfillment of this prophecy occurred in two major stages. First, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieged mainland Tyre for 13 years (Ezek 26-29), weakening it. Later, Alexander the Great, some 240 years after Nebuchadnezzar, utterly destroyed the island city of Tyre in 332 BC, building a causeway from the mainland and fulfilling the "destruction of its strongholds" even more completely. This detailed historical fulfillment further testifies to the precision and divine origin of biblical prophecy. The reference to "Canaan" also suggests a theological polemic: against the common belief that wealth and strategic location granted invulnerability or divine favor. Instead, it reasserts YHWH's universal jurisdiction and moral standards over all lands and peoples, not just Israel. Spiritually, this verse reminds believers that God is capable of demolishing spiritual "strongholds" of sin, addiction, or ungodly thought patterns in their lives or in the world, requiring surrender to His sovereign command.

Isaiah 23 11 Commentary

Isaiah 23:11 serves as a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over human kingdoms and their perceived might. It portrays the Lord, YHWH, as actively engaged in orchestrating history, causing the greatest of powers, like Tyre with its extensive maritime empire, to tremble and crumble. The image of God's "stretched out hand" is one of direct, powerful, and unhindered intervention. Tyre's fortifications, a source of human pride and security, are declared doomed by divine "command," revealing that no human endeavor, wealth, or military might can withstand the determined will of the Almighty. The verse implicitly challenges human hubris that trusts in material possessions or impregnable defenses. The link to "Canaan" draws a connection between Tyre's contemporary sin and judgment with the ancient historical pattern of God's dealings with the land's wicked inhabitants. Ultimately, this verse underscores a foundational biblical truth: the nations are but dust before the God who holds all power and issues decrees that cannot be thwarted, establishing His preeminence over all earthly dominion.