Isaiah 23:2 kjv
Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.
Isaiah 23:2 nkjv
Be still, you inhabitants of the coastland, You merchants of Sidon, Whom those who cross the sea have filled.
Isaiah 23:2 niv
Be silent, you people of the island and you merchants of Sidon, whom the seafarers have enriched.
Isaiah 23:2 esv
Be still, O inhabitants of the coast; the merchants of Sidon, who cross the sea, have filled you.
Isaiah 23:2 nlt
Mourn in silence, you people of the coast
and you merchants of Sidon.
Your traders crossed the sea,
Isaiah 23 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 23:2 | Who is this that roused from the east? | God's judgment on Tyre |
| Isa 13:10 | For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light. The sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light. | Celestial signs of judgment |
| Jer 25:31 | The Lord will roar from on high, and from his holy habitation he will give out a cry; he will cry mightily against all the inhabitants of the earth. | God's outcry against nations |
| Ezk 26:17 | And they will raise a lamentation over you and say to you: “How you are destroyed, you people of renown, who dwelt in the sea, you mistress of the sea, you and your inhabitants, who imposed your terror on all the inhabitants of the sea!” | Lament for Tyre |
| Zeph 1:11 | Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar! For all the merchants are silenced; all who weigh out silver are cut off. | Judgment on economic centers |
| Rev 18:17 | For in one hour all this richest is made desolate.’ | Annihilation of commercial Babylon |
| Psa 33:10 | The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations; he thwarts the devices of the peoples. | God's sovereignty over nations |
| Jer 50:11 | because you have rejoiced because you have exulted, you destroyers of my inheritance. because you have kicked and stomped like a full-fed heifer and have neighed like a strong stallion. | Judgment on oppressors |
| Isa 24:16 | From the farthest parts of the earth we hear songs, splendors, but the enemy says, “I am fading away, I am fading away, woe to me! The traitors have betrayed, the traitors have betrayed!” | Lament for the devastated land |
| Nah 2:10 | Ruin! Desolation and destruction! Hearts melt with fear, and knees knock together. Every face is pale. | Destruction of Nineveh |
| Mic 1:10 | Declare it not in Gath; weep not in Bahashim. In the house of Afrah roll yourself in the dust. | Warning against rejoicing in enemy's downfall |
| Obad 1:3 | The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, whose dwelling is high, who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?” | Pride leading to downfall |
| Psa 74:13 | You divided the sea by your strength; you broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters. | God's power over the sea |
| Job 7:3 | For my days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope. | Fleeting nature of life |
| Job 9:25 | My days are swifter than a runner; they flee away; they see no joy. | Swift passage of time |
| Eccl 9:5 | For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no reward, and their memory is forgotten. | State of the dead |
| Isa 44:26 | who confirms the word of his servant, and performs the council of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, “She shall be inhabited,” and of the cities of Judah, “They shall be built,” and of its ruins, “I will raise them up.” | God's promises fulfilled |
| Zech 2:11 | “And many nations shall join themselves to the Lord on that day, and shall be my people. And I will dwell in your midst, and you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. | Nations turning to God |
| John 16:33 | I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” | Jesus' victory over the world |
| Acts 4:24 | When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them.” | Apostles acknowledging God's creation |
Isaiah 23 verses
Isaiah 23 2 Meaning
The verse declares that the sea, representing commercial nations or perhaps Egypt itself in prophetic symbolism, is silent and has no speech, and its inhabitants, typically industrious and boisterous, are speechless and unheard. It signifies a profound judgment and desolation, leading to an unnerving quietude where once there was the clamor of trade and life.
Isaiah 23 2 Context
Isaiah chapter 23 prophesies the destruction of Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city known for its wealth, maritime trade, and powerful navy. This chapter functions as a judgment oracle against Tyre. The destruction of Tyre is significant as it was a notoriously proud and opulent city whose prosperity was built on international commerce, often at the expense of other nations. The prophecy is set against the backdrop of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires, and the events may have resonated with the historical destructions and conquests experienced by Tyre. The verse itself focuses on the immediate aftermath of divine judgment, emphasizing the silence that befalls the city and its people.
Isaiah 23 2 Word analysis
- Hear (Shema'): Hebrew for "to hear," "listen," or "obey." Here it signifies being attentive to news or pronouncements.
- ye (aten): A plural form of address, directing the command to "you."
- merchant(s) (sochereth): From sachar, meaning "to go to and fro," "trade," "sojourn," referring to merchants or traders.
- is grieved (avleh): Means "to become weak," "be brought low," "grow faint," or "be in anguish."
- O (oi): An interjection of lament or woe.
- Merchants (socherim): Plural of sochereth, referring to traders.
- of Zidon (Sidon): A major Phoenician city north of Tyre, often associated with it due to their shared culture and maritime prominence.
- and (ve): A conjunction.
- that (asher): Relative pronoun.
- passeth (over): From avar, meaning "to pass over," "cross," "go through."
- over (al): Preposition meaning "on," "upon," "over."
- the sea (hayyam): Literally "the sea." In prophetic contexts, the sea can represent the Gentile nations, chaos, or vast bodies of water, signifying the reach and dominion of commercial powers.
- the inhabitants (yoshevey): From yashav, meaning "to dwell," "sit," or "remain." Refers to the people living there.
- of (eth): A direct object marker or preposition.
- the isle (i): Refers to islands or coastal regions, often places of trade and strategic importance. In this case, it's referring to Tyre's island city or its broader maritime influence.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- Hear ye merchant(s) of Zidon, that passeth over the sea: This phrase identifies the audience of the judgment – the traders, particularly those originating from or associated with Sidon, a significant trading partner and sometimes subordinate city to Tyre, indicating the widespread impact of the pronouncement on the commercial world. The "sea" represents the vast expanse of their trading routes and global reach.
- [She is] grieved: This clause, with the implied subject "she" (referring to Tyre, implied from the preceding context of chapter 23), indicates a state of deep distress and affliction brought about by the judgment.
- that passeth over the sea, [as the merchants] of the isle: The repetition and slight variation suggest a broader impact. It includes not only those trading on the sea but also those who inhabit or derive their livelihood from the sea and its connected lands ("the isle" likely representing Tyre's island structure or its sphere of influence). The "grief" or affliction is experienced by all these connected peoples.
Isaiah 23 2 Bonus section
The lamentation in Isaiah 23 often utilizes poetic devices such as personification and hyperbole to convey the immense scale of divine judgment. The "sea" and "inhabitants" being rendered speechless underscores the finality of the destruction. It’s a powerful depiction of God’s sovereignty not only over Israel but also over the Gentile nations and their economic systems. The fall of such a mighty commercial entity as Tyre was a testament to God's ultimate authority and a warning to all who placed their trust in earthly riches and military might rather than in the Lord. The sorrow experienced is a reflection of the loss of livelihood, security, and identity tied to their prosperity. This prophetic judgment on Tyre has also been seen as a foreshadowing of judgments against other proud and decadent commercial powers throughout history, including apocalyptic depictions in the New Testament.
Isaiah 23 2 Commentary
The verse describes the collapse of Tyre's maritime and commercial power. The phrase "Hear ye merchants of Zidon, that passeth over the sea" is an imperative calling attention to the devastation that has befallen those involved in international trade. Zidon, as a nearby Phoenician city, was intrinsically linked to Tyre's economic network, implying that the downfall of Tyre would ripple through related commercial centers. The sea, representing the vast network of trade routes and the source of Tyre's wealth and influence, becomes a place of lament. The verb "grieved" or "brought low" (Hebrew: avleh) signifies a state of profound weakness and distress that has fallen upon this prosperous city and its associated traders. The people who normally command the seas and dictate trade are reduced to silence and impotence. This silence is not peaceful but a result of utter devastation, a chilling quiet following the complete annihilation of their trading enterprises and lives.