Isaiah 23 14

Isaiah 23:14 kjv

Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.

Isaiah 23:14 nkjv

Wail, you ships of Tarshish! For your strength is laid waste.

Isaiah 23:14 niv

Wail, you ships of Tarshish; your fortress is destroyed!

Isaiah 23:14 esv

Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for your stronghold is laid waste.

Isaiah 23:14 nlt

Wail, you ships of Tarshish,
for your harbor is destroyed!

Isaiah 23 verses

Isaiah 23 14 Meaning

This verse declares a pronouncement of utter devastation upon the formidable maritime power of Tyre and its far-reaching trade network, epitomized by the "ships of Tarshish." It is a command for those engaged in Tyre's vast commercial enterprise, especially its merchants and sailors, to mourn and lament because the very foundation of their strength, security, and prosperity – their "stronghold" – has been utterly destroyed. The verse vividly portrays the immediate and crushing impact of the divine judgment, emphasizing the complete ruination of what was once perceived as impregnable and unshakeable.

Isaiah 23 14 Context

Isaiah chapter 23 is one of several "burdens" or prophetic oracles (מַשָּׂא, massa') against various nations in the book of Isaiah (chapters 13-23). Specifically, it targets Tyre (Hebrew: צוֹר, Tzor), the ancient Phoenician city-state renowned for its immense wealth, extensive maritime trade, powerful navy, and seemingly impregnable island fortress. This oracle announces the complete downfall and devastation of Tyre, a major power and economic hub of the ancient Near East, which had become arrogant in its prosperity and often hostile to Israel. The historical context includes Tyre's frequent involvement in international politics, its extensive trade network reaching as far as Tarshish (likely southern Spain, representing the extreme west of the known world), and its strategic importance. The verse appears at the culmination of the initial lament, providing the immediate reason for the mournful cry—the utter destruction of their main base and source of strength. This judgment, like others in Isaiah, served to demonstrate God's sovereignty over all nations and His capacity to humble the proud, even those considered invincible.

Isaiah 23 14 Word analysis

• Wail (יְלָלוּ, yelalú):

  • This is an imperative verb, commanding an action of profound sorrow and anguish.
  • The Hebrew word denotes a loud, mournful cry, often associated with lamentation for the dead, or deep distress over overwhelming disaster.
  • Significance: It emphasizes the scale of the impending catastrophe, not merely a loss but a cataclysm demanding the deepest expression of grief. It reflects a state of shock and utter despair among those who had once boasted in their security.

• you ships of Tarshish (אֳנִיּוֹת תַּרְשִׁישׁ, 'oniyyót Tarshísh):

  • Ships (אֳנִיּוֹת, 'oniyyót): Plural for "ships." In this context, it symbolizes not just individual vessels, but the entire maritime enterprise, naval power, and commercial fleets that were the lifeblood and symbol of Tyre's wealth and influence.
  • Tarshish (תַּרְשִׁישׁ, Tarshísh): While often identified as Tartessos in Spain, "ships of Tarshish" evolved to describe large, sturdy, ocean-going vessels capable of long voyages. They were symbols of distant trade, vast wealth, and naval strength. By addressing these ships, the prophecy directly confronts Tyre's global reach and economic might.
  • Significance: This phrase is an address to the very epitome of Tyre's strength and reach. Their livelihood, represented by these ships, will now witness or participate in this lament because the source of their profitable voyages is gone. It represents the global implications of Tyre's fall.

• for (כִּי, kiy):

  • This conjunction introduces the reason or justification for the preceding command to wail.
  • Significance: It connects the command for lamentation directly to the catastrophic event that follows, providing the indisputable cause for their sorrow.

• your stronghold (מָעוּזְכֶם, ma'ōzḵem):

  • Ma'ōz (מָעוּז): A key Hebrew term meaning "stronghold," "fortress," "refuge," or "source of strength." It can refer to a literal fortified place (like an island city's walls) or a metaphorical source of power and security. In Tyre's context, it refers to its physical fortifications, its strategic position, its immense wealth, its powerful navy, and its entire commercial empire which provided a sense of invincibility.
  • Significance: This word pinpoints the heart of Tyre's confidence. It reveals that what Tyre perceived as its unassailable defense, its source of ultimate protection and power, has been shattered. The reliance on human strength and material security is shown to be futile.

• is laid waste (נֶהֱרַב, nehĕrav):

  • This is the Niphal perfect form of the verb חָרַב (charab), meaning "to be dried up," "to be desolate," "to be ruined," "to be destroyed." The Niphal stem indicates a passive state, emphasizing that it has been utterly desolated, highlighting the completeness and accomplished nature of the destruction.
  • Significance: This word emphatically states the outcome—total ruin. It signifies that Tyre's strength is not merely weakened but brought to nothing, making the lamentation commanded earlier entirely justified. It conveys finality to the judgment.

• "Wail, you ships of Tarshish, for your stronghold is laid waste.": This phrase collectively articulates the central message: the agents of Tyre's economic power (the ships/merchants) are commanded to mourn because their ultimate source of perceived security and prosperity (Tyre itself) has been utterly devastated by divine judgment. It underscores that reliance on earthly strongholds will ultimately prove futile against God's purposes.

Isaiah 23 14 Bonus section

The concept of "ships of Tarshish" appearing multiple times in the Old Testament often serves as a symbol of significant wealth, extensive trade, and powerful navies, particularly those that are not easily accessible or familiar to common Israelite experience. They represent the pinnacle of ancient seafaring and commercial enterprise. The specific addressing of these ships in the lament emphasizes that the downfall of Tyre is not merely a local event but one that disrupts global economic stability as understood in the ancient world. The very symbols of Tyre's prosperity are now called to witness and lament its desolation. Furthermore, Tyre's historical defiance and opposition to God's people (Israel) often made it a target for prophetic judgment, aligning it with other proud nations whom God intended to humble to demonstrate His universal sovereignty. This verse powerfully contributes to the larger theme in Isaiah of God's dominion over all nations, even the most formidable, ultimately working His purposes on the earth.

Isaiah 23 14 Commentary

Isaiah 23:14 delivers a stark pronouncement of judgment against Tyre, targeting the very essence of its power: its maritime commerce and perceived impregnability. The command to "wail" signals an end to the city's celebration of its economic supremacy, shifting from prosperity to profound lament. By specifically addressing the "ships of Tarshish," the prophecy highlights that the impact of Tyre's fall would resonate across its vast international network, demonstrating the reach of God's sovereign hand even over global powers. Tyre's "stronghold" represents its impressive fortifications, its accumulated wealth, and the widespread commercial empire it built; yet, this verse unequivocally declares that this source of human confidence is now "laid waste." This illustrates a recurrent biblical principle: human pride and self-reliance, even when manifested in immense wealth and power, ultimately crumble before the divine will. The verse serves as a powerful reminder that all earthly fortresses and economic empires are transient, and true security rests only in the LORD.