Isaiah 23 18

Isaiah 23:18 kjv

And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.

Isaiah 23:18 nkjv

Her gain and her pay will be set apart for the LORD; it will not be treasured nor laid up, for her gain will be for those who dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for fine clothing.

Isaiah 23:18 niv

Yet her profit and her earnings will be set apart for the LORD; they will not be stored up or hoarded. Her profits will go to those who live before the LORD, for abundant food and fine clothes.

Isaiah 23:18 esv

Her merchandise and her wages will be holy to the LORD. It will not be stored or hoarded, but her merchandise will supply abundant food and fine clothing for those who dwell before the LORD.

Isaiah 23:18 nlt

But in the end her profits will be given to the LORD. Her wealth will not be hoarded but will provide good food and fine clothing for the LORD's priests.

Isaiah 23 verses

Isaiah 23 18 Meaning

The trade and profit of Tyre, once a prosperous and powerful city, will be dedicated to the Lord. What was once stored for personal gain will now serve a holy purpose. This implies that the wealth amassed through her former commerce will be repurposed for God's service or will benefit those who belong to Him. This transformation signifies a divine reappropriation of resources that were previously used for worldly pursuits.

Isaiah 23 18 Context

Isaiah chapter 23 prophesies the destruction of Tyre, a prominent Phoenician port city renowned for its immense wealth, maritime trade, and idolatry. Tyre’s prosperity was built on extensive commerce and strategic maritime power. The chapter outlines the judgment that will fall upon Tyre due to its pride and exploitative practices, foretelling its desolation by Nebuchadnezzar and later by the Greeks under Alexander the Great. However, the prophecy shifts in the latter part of the chapter, particularly from verse 15 onwards, to describe a future restoration, not for Tyre as a secular commercial power, but a reorientation of its historical influence and wealth towards God's purposes. Verse 18 signifies this future spiritual significance where the resources once gained through her secular might will be consecrated to the Lord. This eschatological perspective aligns with a broader theme in Isaiah where even past enemies and nations subdued by God's judgment will eventually acknowledge and contribute to His kingdom.

Isaiah 23 18 Word Analysis

• And: A conjunctive particle linking the preceding judgment to the future outcome.
• her: Refers back to Tyre, the subject of the preceding verses.
• traffic: (Hebrew: rekulah, רְכֻלָה) Commerce, merchandise, merchandise trade. Denotes the goods and the act of trading, emphasizing the commercial enterprises of Tyre.
• shall: Indicates a future certainty, a prophetic declaration of what will occur.
• be: Indicates a state of being, a transformation or designation.
• holiness: (Hebrew: qodesh, קֹדֶשׁ) Sanctity, sacredness, set apart. This is a key concept, signifying that the gains and business of Tyre will be dedicated and consecrated to the Lord. It implies a removal from secular or sinful use and an assignment to divine service.
• unto: Indicates direction or purpose, toward.
• the: Definite article.
• LORD: (Hebrew: Yhwh, יַהְוֶה) The personal covenant name of God, emphasizing His authority and covenant faithfulness.
• for: Indicates purpose or destination.
• food: (Hebrew: ma'akal, מַאֲכָל) Food, provisions, victuals. Suggests sustenance and resources, perhaps for those ministering to the Lord or for those whom God blesses.
• to: Indicates direction or purpose.
• them: Refers to a group of people, implied to be God's people, ministers, or the redeemed.
• that: Conjunction introducing a relative clause or purpose.
• dwell: (Hebrew: yashab, יָשַׁב) To sit, dwell, remain, inhabit. Refers to the continuous habitation and service of God's people.
• therein: In that place, referring to a place of dwelling or service connected to the Lord.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "her traffic shall be holiness unto the LORD": This phrase signifies a complete transformation of Tyre's economic identity. Her renowned commercial gains (rekulah) will no longer be for her own glory or exploitation, but will be consecrated (qodesh) to the Lord (Yhwh). This denotes a sacred dedication of her former wealth and business activities.
• "and her revenue for food to them that dwell therein": The profits (ma'akal can mean revenue/gain in this context) derived from her commerce will serve as provision or sustenance for those who reside in a specific place. This place is understood as a place of divine inhabitation or service, implying that the wealth of the fallen pagan city will ultimately benefit God's people or His sacred service.

Isaiah 23 18 Bonus Section

The phrase "holiness unto the LORD" is echoed in Exodus 28:36, where it is inscribed on the turban of the High Priest, signifying his being set apart for God's service. The application here to Tyre's economic gain suggests that all aspects of life and all earthly resources, when brought under God’s dominion, can and will be consecrated to Him. This prophetic pronouncement also signifies the ultimate obsolescence of exclusive, self-serving Gentile commercial powers as God's chosen people ultimately receive blessing and provision. This verse presents a striking contrast to Tyre's historical pride and self-sufficiency, illustrating the comprehensive nature of God’s redemptive and reordering plan for the nations.

Isaiah 23 18 Commentary

This verse offers a glimpse of God’s ultimate sovereign control over even the most powerful and secular systems of the world. Tyre, known for its vast trading network and accumulating wealth, is prophetically declared to have its commercial endeavors redirected for divine purposes. What was once used for the city's pride and sustenance is to be consecrated as "holiness unto the LORD." This points to a future when even the resources and activities of formerly hostile or Gentile nations will be incorporated into God’s kingdom. It anticipates a time when God's people will benefit from resources that were previously exploited from them, or when these resources will directly fund God’s work. The promise is one of redemption and redirection, where God’s purposes will ultimately prevail, transforming the outcomes of worldly systems into means for His glory and the sustenance of His kingdom. This aligns with broader prophetic visions of national submission and contribution to the Lord's work in the Messianic age.