Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 23

Verses 1-7

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 23

AN ORACLE CONCERNING TYRE

Ancient Tyre was a principal seaport on the Phoenician coast, about 25 miles South of Sidon and Northwest of Jerusalem. The date of its founding is unknown, but many Sidonians fled there around 1200 B.C. when their own city was plundered by the Philistines. Until the decline of Egyptian power, it was loyal to Egypt. But, when the power of Egypt was broken, Tyre became independent and controlled most of the coastal cities of Phoenicia.

Friendly with both David and Solomon, Tyre contributed many of the materials for the royal palace and temple in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Kings 5:1-12; 1 Chronicles 14:1; 2 Chronicles 2:3-16) in exchange for food and territorial concessions (1 Kings 9:10-14) - later assisting Solomon in the development of the Port of Ezion-geber on the Red Sea, (1 Kings 9:26-28).

Hiram I joined the two parts of Tyre together by an artificial causeway and dedicated a temple to heathen deities - Melgart and Astarte. For some time the city was under tribute to Assyria. During this time her former relationship with Israel was broken, so that Amos and Joel denounced her treatment of the Hebrew people, (Amos 1:9; Joel 3:4-6). Though she ultimately gained her freedom from Assyria, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Zechariah all prophesied her subjection to Babylon, (Jeremiah 25:22; Jeremiah 27:1-11; Ezekiel 26:1 to Ezekiel 28:19; Ezekiel 29:18-20; Zechariah 9:2).

Verse 1-7: THE FALL OF TYRE

1. The opening scene is one of wailing over the devastation of Tyre; at Cyprus the seamen who have sailed the Phoenician ships, returning from Tarshish, learn that they have no warehouse or harbor to which they may return (Verse 1).

a. Tarshish appears to have been a coastal area in Spain - rich in metals such as: gold, silver, iron, tin and lead, (Jonah 1:13; Isaiah 66:19; Jeremiah 10:9; Ezekiel 27:12).

b. "Ships of Tarshish" seems to indicate any ship that was engaged in the transport of these precious cargoes - with the understanding that Tyre was the mistress of the sea, (Ezekiel 27:12; Ezekiel 27:25).

c. Symbols of wealth and power, these ships served such distant ports that they were often gone from one to three years before returning, 2 Chronicles 9:20-21).

2. Sidon, in verse 2, stands for all Phoenician towns along the coast; having been replenished by these "merchants that pass through the sea", they are stricken with awe, (Verse 2; Ezekiel 27:3; Ezekiel 27:8; Ezekiel 27:23).

3. The "mart of nations" (Ezekiel 27:12-13), Tyre had been a great center of commerce - her veSsels providing great riches as they gathered the grain, produce and natural resources of Egypt and transported them throughout the known world, (Verse 3; cf. Isaiah 19:7-9).

4. Sidon, the firstborn of Canaan (son of Ham: Genesis 10:15; Genesis 10:19; Judges 10:6; Jeremiah 47:4; Ezekiel 28:21-22), the founder of Tyre, is bowed with shame because her daughter will no longer be able to plant distant colonies as in the past, (Verse 4).

5. Egypt will be deeply pained at the report concerning Tyre -knowing that her own days must be numbered, (Verse 5; comp. Exodus 15:14-15; Joshua 2:9-11).

6. And the inhabitants of the coasts will pass over to Tarshish, bewailing the loss of the ancient, once-joyous, city whose feet (ships) will carry her afar to sojourn, (Verse 6-7).

Verses 8-14

Verse 8-14: GOD, THE AUTHOR: CHALDEA, THE INSTRUMENT, OF DESTRUCTION

1. In verse 8 the question is raised: "Who planned this against Tyre?"

a. She has been the distributor of crowns!

b. Her merchants have been princes!

c. Her traders have been the most honorable men of the earth! - or so it appeared.

2. "The LORD of hosts" has planned it for a definite purpose: He will stain (pollute) the pride of her glory (Isaiah 2:11; Isaiah 2:17; Isaiah 5:15; Isaiah 13:11; Luke 1:51-52), and "bring into contempt" those whom the world honors.

3. Freed from the tyranny of Tyre, Tarshish could now profit from her own natural resources, (Verse 10).

4. The Lord is pictured as stretching out His hand over the sea -shaking kingdoms and commanding the destruction of "the merchant city", (Verse 11).

5. No more will she rejoice triumphantly; though, in her dishonor, she seeks refuge in Chittim (Cyprus), she will find no rest there, (Verse 12).

Verses 15-18

Verse 15-18: RESTORED AND MADE A BLESSING

1. For 70 years Tyre is to be forsaken and forgotten, (Verse 15; Jeremiah 25; Jeremiah 11, 22).

2. At the end of 70 years she is likened unto a harlot who has lost her trade; taking a harp, she makes sweet melody, and sings such songs as will attract her former lovers, (Verse 16).

3. The Lord will permit her to be restored to the work and wealth that was hers in days gone by; very soon she is illicitly entangled once more with the kingdoms of the world, (Verse 17; comp. Ezekiel 16:25-29; Nahum 3:4-7).

4. Her wealth, however, will finally be devoted to the Lord -something that, evidently, still awaits its ultimate fulfillment, (Verse 18; Isaiah 60:5-9; Psalms 72:10-11; Micah 4:13; Zechariah 14:20-21).

The Lord judged Tyre because of her sin - a people that never really knew him. HOW MUCH MORE SEVERELY will He judge those who have KNOWN HIM, but REFUSED TO DO HIS WILL!! (Matthew 11:21-22; Luke 10:13-14).