Isaiah 23:4 kjv
Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.
Isaiah 23:4 nkjv
Be ashamed, O Sidon; For the sea has spoken, The strength of the sea, saying, "I do not labor, nor bring forth children; Neither do I rear young men, Nor bring up virgins."
Isaiah 23:4 niv
Be ashamed, Sidon, and you fortress of the sea, for the sea has spoken: "I have neither been in labor nor given birth; I have neither reared sons nor brought up daughters."
Isaiah 23:4 esv
Be ashamed, O Sidon, for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of the sea, saying: "I have neither labored nor given birth, I have neither reared young men nor brought up young women."
Isaiah 23:4 nlt
But now you are put to shame, city of Sidon,
for Tyre, the fortress of the sea, says,
"Now I am childless;
I have no sons or daughters."
Isaiah 23 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 23:1 | Oracle concerning Tyre. Wail, you ships of Tarshish... | Judgment against nations |
| Ezekiel 26:14 | I will make you a bare rock, a place for the spreading of nets. | Tyre's utter destruction |
| Jeremiah 25:22 | and all the kingdoms of the world... | God's judgment on nations |
| Revelation 18:17 | "In one hour such great wealth has come to ruin!" | Fall of Babylon parallels Tyre |
| Isaiah 2:18 | The idols will totally vanish. | Futility of idols |
| Nahum 3:4 | "Because of the prostitution of the alluring prostitute..." | God's judgment on Nineveh |
| Isaiah 10:5 | Woe to Assyria, the rod of my anger! | God using nations to judge |
| Zephaniah 2:5 | "Woe to you inhabitants of the seacoast..." | Judgment on Philistines |
| Amos 6:2 | "...examine Jerusalem's cities and Samaria's rulers." | Judgment on luxury and pride |
| Luke 10:13 | "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!" | Jesus' warnings of judgment |
| Mark 7:24 | "Grant me relief, my daughter has a demon..." | Gentile inclusion |
| John 12:31 | "Now is the judgment of this world..." | Christ's victory over evil |
| 1 Corinthians 10:20 | "The sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons..." | False worship |
| 1 John 5:19 | "We know that we are children of God..." | Belongs to God vs. the world |
| Acts 4:24 | "Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth..." | God's sovereignty |
| Psalm 24:1 | "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it..." | God's ownership of creation |
| Revelation 21:1 | "Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth'..." | New creation |
| Isaiah 13:19 | Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the glory of Babylon's pride... | God's judgment on Babylon |
| Ezekiel 27:36 | The rulers of the seas all stare at you in horror... | Tyre's impact on nations |
| Amos 1:10 | "I will send fire on the walls of Gaza..." | Judgment on coastal cities |
Isaiah 23 verses
Isaiah 23 4 Meaning
The Lord declares that Tyre, a prominent and wealthy Phoenician city, will be humiliated and struck by God. Despite its famed artistry and extensive trade, the Lord will defile its grandeur and make it a desolate place. Tyre's strength and commercial prosperity will be utterly diminished, resulting in widespread mourning and a sense of dread among those who hear of its fate.
Isaiah 23 4 Context
Chapter 23 of Isaiah prophesies the downfall of Tyre, a prosperous and influential Phoenician port city. Tyre was known for its maritime trade, wealth, and impressive architecture, as well as its religious practices, which often involved Canaanite deities. This prophecy highlights God's sovereignty over all nations, including those that did not worship Him. The oracle serves as a warning against excessive pride, reliance on material wealth, and idolatry. Tyre's destruction would serve as a testament to God's power and a signal to other nations.
Isaiah 23 4 Word Analysis
- Sha'am (שָׁעַם): Declared. This signifies a divine pronouncement, a solemn decree issued by the Lord.
- Tzor (צֹר): Tyre. A major Phoenician city, famed for its maritime trade, purple dye production, and wealth.
- Qol (קוֹל): Voice, sound. Referring to the sounds of celebration, trade, or cries of lament.
- 'Ani (עָנִי): Afflicted, humbled, poor. This indicates the state of Tyre after its judgment, stripped of its power.
- Hith-golel (הִתְגּוֹלֵל): Cast about, roll themselves. A vivid image of distress and uncontrolled suffering.
- Yah-peh (יָפֶה): Beautiful. Referring to Tyre's outward splendor and impressive appearance.
- Mash-cheem (מַשְׁחִים): To defile, to make unclean, to pollute. God will desecrate Tyre, rendering its beauty abhorrent.
- Kik-kay-on (קִיקָיוֹן): Bereft, plundered, emptied. The state of being stripped of possessions and resources.
Word-group analysis:
- "Sha'am Yah Yah Yah-veh Yah-loh-heem Yah-leh Tzor": This phrase emphasizes God's direct declaration concerning Tyre, marking it for divine action.
- "Kee mook-dab-rut 'al Tzor": The word "mook-dab-rut" (spoken, declared) points to an irreversible decree that has been issued.
- "Hi-neh 'an-ki ka-sher hen-nah-gah-luh hen-nah-goo-la": This sequence illustrates a loss of control and violent upheaval as a result of judgment.
- "Ki-sheh moo-kee-mohn Ya-meh-yah-doo ho-lom henn-ha-lehk": The idea of God "defiling" suggests an intentional act of bringing something sacred or precious into disgrace.
- "Ve-nah-gam mee hah-yah Keee hon-ah 'am-mee": This signifies that even its famed artisans, whose skills made Tyre magnificent, would contribute to its sorrow, lamenting its fall.
Isaiah 23 4 Bonus Section
The prophecy concerning Tyre's desolation is fulfilled over time, notably through the conquests of Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, who besieged the city for 13 years, and later Alexander the Great, who built a causeway to conquer the island city. Tyre's transformation into a "bare rock" signifies not just physical destruction but the obliteration of its global influence and its proud status. The mournful cries of "ships of Tarshish" (representing the powerful merchant fleets) echo the extensive economic network that Tyre dominated and that would also suffer from its demise. The mention of "inhabitants of the coast" implies that neighboring regions would witness and react to Tyre's judgment. This oracle, therefore, resonates with themes of God's comprehensive judgment, the vanity of earthly security, and the ultimate triumph of His purposes across the globe.
Isaiah 23 4 Commentary
Isaiah 23:4 is a profound statement of divine judgment directed at the wealthy and influential city of Tyre. The prophecy reveals God’s power not just over His own people but over all nations, even those that do not acknowledge Him. Tyre's affluence, artistry, and extensive trade, which were sources of its pride and security, become the very things God uses to demonstrate its downfall. The imagery of a mother who is unable to comfort her children underscores the completeness of Tyre's ruin. This verse serves as a reminder that earthly riches and power are transient and ultimately subject to God's sovereign will. The destruction of Tyre illustrates the principle that pride goes before a fall, especially when one's foundation is not in God but in worldly prosperity.