Isaiah 23:17 kjv
And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.
Isaiah 23:17 nkjv
And it shall be, at the end of seventy years, that the LORD will deal with Tyre. She will return to her hire, and commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth.
Isaiah 23:17 niv
At the end of seventy years, the LORD will deal with Tyre. She will return to her lucrative prostitution and will ply her trade with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth.
Isaiah 23:17 esv
At the end of seventy years, the LORD will visit Tyre, and she will return to her wages and will prostitute herself with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth.
Isaiah 23:17 nlt
Yes, after seventy years the LORD will revive Tyre. But she will be no different than she was before. She will again be a prostitute to all kingdoms around the world.
Isaiah 23 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 23:1 | The oracle concerning Tyre. Wail, O ships of Tarshish... | Introduction to judgment on Tyre. |
| Isa 23:18 | Her profit and her earnings will be dedicated to the LORD; it will not be hoarded or stored... | Subsequent conversion/sanctification of Tyre's wealth. |
| Eze 26:7-8 | For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will bring against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar... | Prophecy of Nebuchadnezzar's siege on Tyre. |
| Eze 27:3, 27-36 | You say, O Tyre, 'I am perfect in beauty.' Your riches, your wares, your merchandise... | Description of Tyre's immense wealth and fall. |
| Eze 28:1-19 | Because your heart is proud and you have said, 'I am a god...' | Tyre's pride leading to judgment, comparing its king to Lucifer. |
| Jer 25:11-12 | This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years... | Seventy years as a period of judgment/servitude for nations. |
| Jer 29:10 | "For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you..." | God's visitation and restoration after seventy years (for Judah). |
| Zech 1:12 | "O LORD of hosts, how long will you have no mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah...? | Mourning the length of the 70 years' affliction. |
| Zech 7:5 | "When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years... | The 70-year period recognized historically by the post-exilic community. |
| Joel 3:4-8 | "What are you to me, O Tyre and Sidon... I will return your recompense upon your own head." | God's vengeance on Tyre for trading Israelites. |
| Amos 1:9-10 | Thus says the LORD: "For three transgressions of Tyre, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment..." | Judgment on Tyre for breaking covenant/brotherhood. |
| Zech 9:2-4 | Hamath also, which borders on it; Tyre and Sidon, though they are very skillful. | Prophecy of God's judgment sweeping over Tyre. |
| Hos 4:12 | My people inquire of a piece of wood, and their staff gives them oracles. For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray... | Metaphorical "harlotry" representing spiritual unfaithfulness/idolatry. |
| Eze 16:35 | Therefore, O prostitute, hear the word of the LORD: | God addressing Jerusalem as a harlot due to idolatry/alliances. |
| Jer 3:8 | ...yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but she too went and played the harlot. | Harlotry as unfaithfulness to God through idolatry. |
| Isa 1:21 | How the faithful city has become a harlot, she who was full of justice! | Jerusalem likened to a harlot due to unfaithfulness. |
| Rev 17:1-2 | "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters..." | "Great harlot" representing ungodly systems and worldly power. |
| Rev 18:3 | For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her... | Commerce and luxury of Babylon tied to spiritual harlotry with world leaders. |
| Jas 4:4 | You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?... | Spiritual unfaithfulness (adultery/harlotry) through worldliness. |
| Matt 6:24 | "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one..." | Principle against serving money/materialism over God. |
Isaiah 23 verses
Isaiah 23 17 Meaning
Isaiah 23:17 declares that after a set period of seventy years, the Lord will revisit Tyre. This "visitation" will result in Tyre returning to its former commercial prosperity, but characterized by its old ways: engaging in global trade and alliances driven purely by profit, which the prophet metaphorically likens to the actions of a harlot who sells herself to all kingdoms for gain.
Isaiah 23 17 Context
Isaiah chapters 13-23 comprise a series of "burdens" or "oracles" concerning various nations that interacted with Judah. Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city-state known for its immense wealth, maritime power, and extensive trade networks across the Mediterranean, is the subject of the final oracle in this section (Chapter 23). Historically, Tyre faced significant challenges from powerful empires like Assyria and Babylon, notably a 13-year siege by Nebuchadnezzar II. The chapter describes Tyre's destruction, leading to dismay among its trading partners (vv. 1-14). Verse 15 details a period of seventy years "like the days of one king," indicating a long but defined period of subjugation or reduced activity for Tyre. Verse 17 then forecasts Tyre's re-emergence after this period of divine discipline.
Isaiah 23 17 Word analysis
after the end of seventy years (מִקֵּץ שִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה, miketz shiv'im shanah): This phrase indicates a decreed period of time, similar to the seventy years appointed for Judah's Babylonian exile (Jer 25:11-12; 29:10). For Tyre, it may signify a period of reduced commercial dominance or subjugation under empires like Babylon and Persia, marking the completion of a set period of judgment or dormancy before its resurgence.
that the LORD will visit Tyre (יִפְקֹד יְהוָה אֶת־צֹר, yifkod Yahweh et-Tsor): The Hebrew verb paqad (פָּקַד, "visit") carries a dual meaning in Scripture: to visit for blessing or for punishment, or simply to take notice or attend to. Here, it denotes God turning His attention back to Tyre, initiating a new phase of its existence and reactivating its commercial prowess, yet without implying full divine favor initially.
and she shall return to her hire (וְשָׁבָה לְאֶתְנַנָּה, v'shavah l'etnanah): "Hire" (אֶתְנָן, etnan) specifically refers to the wages of a prostitute in Hebrew. Metaphorically, this indicates Tyre's resumption of its primary role as a commercial city, accumulating wealth through its dealings, but doing so with the same morally compromised and self-serving intent as a harlot. It underscores her core identity as defined by financial gain.
and shall commit fornication (וְזָנְתָה, v'zanetah): The verb zanah (זָנָה, "to commit fornication/prostitute oneself") is used broadly in the Bible for spiritual idolatry or political unfaithfulness. In this context for Tyre, it primarily refers to its opportunistic commercial dealings and strategic alliances with nations solely for economic profit, prioritizing worldly gain over ethical conduct or true allegiance.
with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth (אֶת־כָּל־מַמְלְכוֹת הָאָרֶץ עַל־פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה, et-kol-mamlekhoht ha'aretz al-p'ney ha'adamah): This phrase emphasizes the global scale of Tyre's commercial and political engagement. It highlights its universal pursuit of economic opportunity and influence without ethical boundaries, illustrating a pervasive self-serving nature.
Words-group: "return to her hire, and shall commit fornication": This combined phrase succinctly captures Tyre's persistent character even after judgment. It portrays her re-emergence as being driven by the same motivations of economic opportunism and worldly alliances that were previously deemed immoral and unfaithful in God's eyes. It suggests a powerful addiction to worldly gain and influence, mirroring the spiritual unfaithfulness condemned throughout the Bible.
Isaiah 23 17 Bonus section
The seemingly bleak prophecy of Tyre returning to its "harlotry" (v. 17) is significantly counterbalanced by the very next verse (Isa 23:18). This subsequent verse reveals a redemptive purpose in God's overall plan: "Her profit and her earnings will be dedicated to the LORD; it will not be hoarded or stored, but will provide rich food and fine clothing for those who live in the LORD’s presence." This pivot suggests that even the restored commercial power of Tyre, initially given to unfaithfulness, can eventually be sanctified and used for the benefit of God's people. This highlights a broader biblical theme: God's ultimate desire is not merely to destroy sinful systems but to transform and redirect resources for His divine purposes and the advancement of His kingdom.
Isaiah 23 17 Commentary
Isaiah 23:17 provides a striking commentary on divine sovereignty and human nature. Even over mighty commercial centers like Tyre, God maintains ultimate control, determining the duration of their judgment. The prophecy specifies a "seventy-year" period, after which Tyre will rebound economically. However, its revival is described not as a spiritual renewal but as a reversion to its defining trait: a ruthless, opportunistic pursuit of profit through global trade and political maneuvering, metaphorically labeled "harlotry." This indicates that while God brings discipline, human inclinations towards unchecked materialism and self-serving alliances can persist unless a genuine transformation occurs. The verse powerfully critiques a global economic system built purely on self-interest and illustrates how wealth and influence can be obtained through means likened to spiritual unfaithfulness.