Isaiah 23:8 kjv
Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth?
Isaiah 23:8 nkjv
Who has taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, Whose merchants are princes, Whose traders are the honorable of the earth?
Isaiah 23:8 niv
Who planned this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are renowned in the earth?
Isaiah 23:8 esv
Who has purposed this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth?
Isaiah 23:8 nlt
Who has brought this disaster on Tyre,
that great creator of kingdoms?
Her traders were all princes,
her merchants were nobles.
Isaiah 23 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah 46:10 | "declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.'" | Lord's immutable counsel |
| Proverbs 19:21 | "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the LORD's counsel, that that shall stand." | Lord's counsel prevails over man's |
| Jeremiah 23:20 | "The anger of the LORD shall not turn back, till he has executed, and till he has performed the purposes of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly." | Lord's executed purposes |
| Ephesians 1:11 | "in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will;" | God works all according to His will |
| Acts 2:23 | "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain;" | God's determinate counsel |
| Romans 11:34 | "For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?" | Incomprehensibility of God's mind |
| 1 Corinthians 2:16 | "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ." | The believer has the mind of Christ |
| Job 9:12 | "Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say to him, What doest thou?" | None can hinder God's actions |
| Job 33:13 | "Why doth he then hold man to account for all his misdeeds? Seeing that he doeth not contend with him." | God's actions not questioned |
| Psalm 115:3 | "But our God is in the heavens: he doeth whatsoever he pleaseth." | God does His pleasure |
| Proverbs 8:15 | "By me kings reign, and princes decree justice." | God ordains kingship and justice |
| Daniel 2:21 | "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:" | God changes times and kings |
| Genesis 50:20 | "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." | God can turn evil to good |
| Isaiah 10:7 | "Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is his heart to destroy and to cut off nations not a few." | Human intent vs. God's plan |
| John 6:39 | "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." | Jesus preserves all given by the Father |
| Romans 8:28 | "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." | All things work for the good of the called |
| Revelation 4:11 | "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." | All created for God's pleasure |
| Proverbs 16:9 | "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps." | Lord directs man's steps |
| Psalm 33:10 | "The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect." | Lord frustrates counsel of nations |
| Isaiah 23:9 | "The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth." | Lord's purpose to humble pride |
Isaiah 23 verses
Isaiah 23 8 Meaning
This verse declares the unparalleled sovereignty of the LORD of hosts, highlighting His divine counsel and the ultimate inability of any to thwart His plans. It emphasizes that the LORD's decisions are unassailable and that His wisdom directs all actions, particularly those impacting nations and His people.
Isaiah 23 8 Context
Isaiah chapter 23 is a prophecy against Tyre, a wealthy and influential Phoenician port city renowned for its maritime trade and its perceived impregnability. Tyre’s arrogance and pride stemming from its commercial success made it a target of divine judgment. The chapter outlines Tyre’s past glory, its impending destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, and its subsequent lesser restoration and eventual spiritual future. This specific verse, Isaiah 23:8, serves as a foundational statement of divine authority within this prophecy, underscoring why such judgment is inevitable and justly executed. It places Tyre's downfall within the larger scope of God's sovereign control over nations and human affairs.
Isaiah 23 8 Word Analysis
- Who - An interrogative pronoun, emphasizing rhetorical questioning.
- hath - Archaic form of "has," indicating possession or an action performed.
- consulted - (Hebrew: יוּעָץ - yu'atz) - To take counsel, plan, advise. Implies a deliberate and wise decision-making process.
- against - Indicating opposition or in relation to.
- her - Pronoun referring to Tyre.
- her - Pronoun referring to the merchants, or the rulers of Tyre, or the broader populace.
- merchants - (Hebrew: סוֹחֲרִים - sochharim) - Traders, dealers in goods, signifying the source of Tyre’s wealth and pride.
- is - State of being.
- the - Definite article.
- crowned - (Hebrew: נִגְדְּרוּ - nigderu) - Lit. "was fenced" or "was made a prince/crown," implying the granting of honor, dominion, or a prestigious position. This could refer to Tyre being a head among nations or its rulers being honored.
- distributers - (Hebrew: מְפִיצִים - mefitstsim) - Dispersers, dealers out. Referring to merchants who spread goods and influence.
- of - Preposition.
- the - Definite article.
- earth - (Hebrew: אָרֶץ - erets) - Land, earth, ground; can refer to the known world of that time or the lands subject to Tyre's trade.
Words Group Analysis
- "Who hath consulted against her?" - This rhetorical question underscores the futility of any human attempt to plan or conspire against Tyre, implying its current perceived invincibility or the unique status granted by its commercial success, which seemed beyond worldly interference.
- "her merchants are the crowned distributers of the earth?" - This phrase captures the essence of Tyre's power and influence. The merchants, due to their extensive trade networks and wealth, were essentially the "crowned" authorities in distributing goods and wealth globally, akin to rulers.
Isaiah 23 8 Bonus Section
The term "crowned" in the Hebrew can also imply "fenced" or "fortified," suggesting that not only were the merchants prestigious, but Tyre itself was seen as secure due to its wealth and trade routes, almost as if it were fortified by its commerce. The focus on "merchants" as the instruments of Tyre's pride and global reach is significant; in an ancient context, commerce and politics were often intertwined, and a powerful merchant class wielded considerable influence. The verse can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament's warnings against the dangers of wealth and worldliness, where worldly success can lead to a spiritual detachment from God's purposes (Matthew 13:22, 1 Timothy 6:10). The entire passage in Isaiah 23, and this verse within it, reinforces the biblical theme that no earthly power, prosperity, or political maneuvering can ultimately stand against the declared will and sovereignty of God.
Isaiah 23 8 Commentary
This verse poses a powerful rhetorical question, challenging any who might believe Tyre, with its prosperous merchants who spread influence globally, was beyond God's reach or judgment. The implication is that no earthly council or scheme against God's prophetic decree concerning Tyre would succeed. God, as the LORD of hosts, has a supreme plan, and any opposition to it is ultimately rendered ineffective. The verse highlights that even Tyre's global mercantile network, which brought them wealth and status (implied by "crowned distributers"), was subject to God's sovereign will and eventual judgment. It sets the stage for the announcement in verse 9 that the LORD of hosts has decreed their humbling.