Isaiah 23:1

Translations

Modern

This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus.

Traditional

The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.

Literal

The Burden of Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for it is laid waste—without house, without harbor! From the land of Kittim it has been revealed to them.

Latin

Onus Tyri. Ululate, naves maris, quia vastata est domus unde venire consueverant: de terra Cethim revelatum est eis.

Original

Hebrew

English

This is the burden against Tyre: Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor. Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus.

Notes

Isaiah 23:1

The ships of Tarshish traveled the sea between the Phoenician coast and the port of Tarshish in Spain (see Isaiah 2:16; 23:6).
Word has reached them from the land of Cyprus: Cyprus was the last stop for sailors returning from Spain before their final journey to Tyre.

Isaiah 23:1–18

Tyre was a wealthy seaport northwest of Israel. The connection between Judah and Tyre dates back to the time of David and Solomon (1 Kings 5:8–9).

Tyre was near large forests and the Mediterranean Sea. It was a major trade center in the ancient Near East. Its ships were famous, and its colonies gave it great prestige and wealth.

The city faced repeated attacks by the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Macedonians, and Alexander the Great conquered it in 332 BC. Isaiah not only predicted Tyre's downfall but also warned those whose wealth and security lead to pride instead of reliance on God (see Isaiah 2:12–16; Matthew 11:21).

Theme notes and profiles

Isaiah Messages Against the Nations Salvation in Isaiah

Events

Prophecies of Isaiahc. 759 BC

Related verses

Joel 3:4–8
Now what do you have against Me, O Tyre, Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you rendering against Me a recompense? If you retaliate against Me, I will swiftly and speedily return your recompense upon your heads.
Genesis 10:4
And the sons of Javan: Elishah, Tarshish, the Kittites, and the Rodanites.
Amos 1:9–10
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Tyre, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they delivered up a whole congregation of exiles to Edom and broke a covenant of brotherhood.
Jeremiah 25:22
…all the kings of Tyre and Sidon; the kings of the coastlands across the sea;
Jeremiah 47:4
For the day has come to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every remaining ally. Indeed, the LORD is about to destroy the Philistines, the remnant from the coasts of Caphtor.
Isaiah 2:16
…against every ship of Tarshish, and against every stately vessel.
Jeremiah 2:10
Cross over to the coasts of Cyprus and take a look; send to Kedar and consider carefully; see if there has ever been anything like this:
Isaiah 23:12
He said, “You shall rejoice no more, O oppressed Virgin Daughter of Sidon. Get up and cross over to Cyprus—even there you will find no rest.”
1 Kings 22:48
Jehoshaphat built ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they never set sail, because they were wrecked at Ezion-geber.
1 Kings 10:22
For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
Zechariah 9:2–4
…and also against Hamath, which borders it, as well as Tyre and Sidon, though they are very shrewd.
Revelation 18:17–19
For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance

Parallels

Ezekiel 26:1–21

Places

Cyprus: Island in the Mediterranean Sea; early Christian community Tarshish: Distant maritime city known for its wealth and trade Tyre: A major Phoenician port city, known for its trade

Glossary

Book of Jeremiah Cyprus Isaiah, Book of Nile River Oracle Phoenicia, Phoenicians Sidon (Place), Sidonian Tarshish (Place) Tyre

Topics

Chittim: Probably Inhabited Islands of the Mediterranean Isaiah: Prophecies, Reproofs, and Exhortations of The Overthrow of Tyre Ships of Tarshish Tarshish: Also Called Tharshish: Commerce and Wealth of Tarshish: Also Called Tharshish: Prophecies Concerning Tyre: City of Commerce of Tyre: City of Prophecies Relating To

Isaiah 23:1

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Related verses?

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Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics