Isaiah 23:6 kjv
Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.
Isaiah 23:6 nkjv
Cross over to Tarshish; Wail, you inhabitants of the coastland!
Isaiah 23:6 niv
Cross over to Tarshish; wail, you people of the island.
Isaiah 23:6 esv
Cross over to Tarshish; wail, O inhabitants of the coast!
Isaiah 23:6 nlt
Send word now to Tarshish!
Wail, you people who live in distant lands!
Isaiah 23 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 23:1 | The oracle concerning Tyre. | Oracle against Tyre |
| Isaiah 23:6 | Pass over to Tarshish; howl, O inhabitants of the coast! | Warning of destruction |
| Jeremiah 25:22 | all the kings of Tyre, and all the kings of Sidon. | Kings subject to judgment |
| Jeremiah 27:3 | kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon | Nations under judgment |
| Ezekiel 26:1-2 | Tyre’s pride and destruction. | Tyre's prophetic judgment |
| Ezekiel 26:4 | I will dash your walls in pieces. | Babylonian devastation |
| Ezekiel 26:12 | They will break down your walls and destroy your pleasant houses. | Destruction of Tyre's structures |
| Ezekiel 26:14 | You shall be a place for the spreading of nets. | Utter desolation |
| Amos 1:9-10 | For three transgressions of Tyre… | Tyre's guilt and judgment |
| Zechariah 9:4 | Gaza will see it and be afraid; Tyre also will writhe in anguish. | Tyre's fear of coming judgment |
| Acts 21:4-7 | Paul departed… with tears from them all. | disciples of Tyre |
| Matthew 11:22 | But I say to you, it will be more endurable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. | Jesus’ judgment on Tyre |
| Revelation 18:19 | Woe, woe, to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! | Commercial city's fall |
| Luke 21:24 | they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led captive among all nations. | Dispersion and captivity |
| Isaiah 47:11 | calamity shall come upon you; you shall not know how to avert it. | inescapable judgment |
| Isaiah 13:6 | wail, for the day of the LORD is at hand; it will come as destruction from the Almighty. | Day of the Lord's destruction |
| Nahum 3:8-9 | Are you better than No-amon, that is situated by the Nile... | Judgment on No-amon echoed |
| Jeremiah 51:8 | Babylon has fallen, has fallen! | Babylon's judgment |
| Ezekiel 29:18 | Nebuchadnezzar... he worked for them. | Nebuchadnezzar's labor |
| Psalm 37:36 | even when he is no more, though I seek him, he cannot be found. | complete removal |
| Lamentations 1:1 | How solitary lies the city that was full of people! | City in desolation |
| Joel 3:4 | What are you to me, O Tyre and Sidon... | Tyre's accountability |
| Haggai 2:14 | so will be the dealing of this people, and the dealing of this nation before me, saith the LORD... | consequences of sin |
| Obadiah 1:11 | you stood aloof on the day that strangers carried off her wealth... | Complacency and consequence |
Isaiah 23 verses
Isaiah 23 6 Meaning
This verse signifies a coming judgment upon Tyre, specifically predicting its fall and desolation. It speaks of a "furor of the Chaldeans" (or Babylonians) and their devastating attack. The outcome will be utter destruction, rendering Tyre a place of ruins. The verse connects the fate of Tyre to the response of surrounding nations, who will be filled with dread.
Isaiah 23 6 Context
This verse is part of Isaiah's prophecy against Tyre, a prosperous and powerful Phoenician city known for its maritime trade, wealth, and idolatry. Chapters 21-23 contain a series of "oracles" concerning foreign nations. Tyre's pride, reliance on its fortified island location, and perceived invincibility made it a target for prophetic judgment. The chapter details the city's impending doom and the reactions of other nations to its fall. The reference to Chaldeans places the prophecy within the context of the Babylonian Empire's rise and its military campaigns.
Isaiah 23 6 Word analysis
- Hashcheme: "Howl!" or "Wail!" — An imperative verb expressing intense grief and distress. It signifies a cry of deep sorrow and lamentation.
- Eloheha: "Her gods" — Refers to the deities worshipped by Tyre. This implies their inability to deliver or protect the city, highlighting the futility of idolatry.
- Nedubati: "Those who make merchant-ships" or "Traders in ships" — Identifies Tyre's commercial enterprises and its people's engagement in sea-faring trade. It emphasizes Tyre's identity as a maritime trading power.
- Navot: "Ships of Tarshish" — Denotes large merchant vessels, capable of making long voyages to places like Tarshish (likely in Spain), known for its mineral wealth. This indicates the extensive reach of Tyre's trade network.
- Vehithrofe'i: "And it shall be broken" or "and it shall be destroyed" — A verb in the niphal conjugation, passive voice, meaning "to be broken," "shattered," or "crushed." It points to the utter demolition of Tyre.
- Kavvel’ah: "From the sea" or "at the sea" — Indicates the source of Tyre's strength and prosperity, its connection to the sea and maritime activity. The judgment will come from the direction of the sea, or result in the sea’s desolation around it.
- Va’omret: "And she shall say" — Personifies Tyre speaking, reflecting on its past glory and its current state of ruin.
- Hi’i: "I am" or "I exist" — A direct statement of identity.
- Lo’ hayyithi: "I was not" or "I have not been" — A declaration of non-existence or total annihilation, reflecting the extent of the judgment.
Word Group Analysis:
- "Howl, O inhabitants of the coast! This is the city that was tumultuous, that dwelt carelessly, that said in her heart, I am the seat of kingdoms, and no other..." (Isa 23:7 KJV): This description underscores Tyre's self-importance, pride, and isolation, making its downfall all the more significant. The "tumultuous" nature hints at its bustling commerce and perhaps political maneuvering.
- "... behold, at the furthest east it comes." (Isa 23:13 KJV): This phrase pinpoints the direction of the invader—the Chaldeans (Babylonians)—coming from the east, emphasizing the origin of the devastating force.
- "They made her ruin a desolation, a place for beasts of the field." (Isa 23:13 KJV): This emphasizes the complete abandonment and destruction that will befall Tyre, to the point where it becomes a habitat for wild animals.
Isaiah 23 6 Bonus Section
The prophecy against Tyre is a consistent theme in the Old Testament, often highlighting the judgment that falls upon nations due to their pride, exploitation, and idolatry. Tyre's exceptional prosperity was directly linked to its powerful navy and extensive trade routes. Its strategic location on an island fortified its perceived security, leading to a deep sense of self-sufficiency and arrogance.
The mention of the Chaldeans specifically points to Nebuchadnezzar II and his Babylonian Empire as the agent of Tyre's destruction. History records the Babylonian siege of Tyre, which lasted thirteen years (586–573 BC), resulting in the city's eventual submission and a significant blow to its power, although not total annihilation as the prophecy suggests in its fullest prophetic scope for the end times or symbolic meaning. The intensity of the Babylonian conquest aligns with the description of overwhelming destruction.
The theme of nations being judged for their interactions with Israel and for their own sins is a recurring motif. Tyre, in particular, had dealings with Israel that were not always aligned with God's will, including profiting from Israel's misfortune and participating in the slave trade (Amos 1:9). The ultimate fate described for Tyre—becoming a place where fishermen spread nets—speaks to a complete reversal of fortune and a complete loss of its former splendor and usefulness. This imagery echoes the destruction prophesied for other proud and oppressive cities.
Isaiah 23 6 Commentary
Isaiah 23:6 vividly portrays the impact of divine judgment on Tyre. The command to "howl" is directed at those who depend on Tyre or who are closely associated with its coastal activities. The subsequent description of the "Chaldeans" arriving signifies a specific historical instrument of God's wrath against the city. Tyre's confidence was rooted in its maritime strength and trading prowess, symbolized by its "ships of Tarshish." However, this verse declares the ultimate futility of such earthly power against God's decree. The city's hubris, its belief in its unassailable status, is starkly contrasted with its impending doom – becoming a desolation, even saying it "was not." This foretells a total obliteration of its former glory, serving as a testament to the inescapable consequences of defying the Lord. The reaction of other nations, filled with dread, underscores the magnitude of this divine judgment.