Keraia
Isaiah 2

Isaiah 2:16

The Day of Reckoning · Isaiah 2:5–22
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Translations

Modern
…against every ship of Tarshish, and against every stately vessel.
Traditional
And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.
Literal
…and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all the desirable vessels.
Latin
…et super omnes naves Tharsis, et super omne quod visu pulchrum est,

Original

Hebrew
English
…against every ship of Tarshish, and against every stately vessel.

Notes

Isaiah 2:16

every stately vessel: This refers to large, decorated sea-going ships. These ships were a sign of wealth and economic success.

They showed that a nation was strong in trade and rich in resources.

Isaiah 2:13–16

The prophet used several images of human strength to explain Isaiah 2:11–12.

Isaiah 2:5–22

The prophet warned of judgment and mocked human pride. All human systems (religious, economic, military, and social) will face God's examination and be found lacking on the Day of the Lord. This is the final day in history when God will judge the wicked once and for all (1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 20:7–15).

Sometimes, prophets used the phrase the day of the Lord (or others like it, such as that day) to describe specific times when God judged wickedness throughout history (see Isaiah 13:6, 9; Ezekiel 13:5; 30:3; Obadiah 1:15). On the Day of the Lord, only God will be honored. All human wickedness and pride will be defeated. This glorious day of God's arrival will fill wicked and arrogant people with fear (Isaiah 2:10, 19, 21).

Isaiah 2:5–4:1

Isaiah condemned Israel and Judah for their pride and self-importance. He warned them that only God should be honored. All attempts by humans to lift themselves up will actually result in humiliation.

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah Salvation in Isaiah The Day of the Lord

Events

Places

Tarshish: Distant maritime city known for its wealth and trade

Glossary

Book of Zephaniah Isaiah, Book of Last Days Tarshish (Place)

Topics

Idolatry: Objects of Pictures Idolatry: Warnings Against, and Punishments of Judgments: No Escape From Picture: General Scriptures Concerning Pride: General Scriptures Concerning Tarshish: Also Called Tharshish: Commerce and Wealth of Tarshish: Also Called Tharshish: Prophecies Concerning