Keraia
Isaiah 23

Isaiah 23:10

The Burden against Tyre · Isaiah 23:1–18
Read Isaiah 23

Translations

Modern
Cultivate your land like the Nile, O Daughter of Tarshish; there is no longer a harbor.
Traditional
Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength.
Literal
Cultivate your land like the Nile, O daughter of Tarshish; there is no girdle anymore.
Latin
Transi terram tuam quasi flumen, filia maris! non est cingulum ultra tibi.

Original

Hebrew
English
Cultivate your land like the Nile, O Daughter of Tarshish; there is no longer a harbor.

Notes

Isaiah 23:10

Cultivate your land like the Nile: This difficult phrase means either:

  1. that the sailors returning from Tarshish were invited to loot the ruined Tyre; or

  2. that the people of Tarshish had to return to farming to earn a living, since Tyre was destroyed and trading was no longer possible.

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).

Events

Parallels

Ezekiel 26:1–21

Places

Nile: The major river of Egypt, mentioned in various contexts Tarshish: Distant maritime city known for its wealth and trade

Glossary

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

Topics

Girdles used for Strengthening the Loins Rivers of People Flying from Judgments Tarshish: Also Called Tharshish: Commerce and Wealth of Tarshish: Also Called Tharshish: Prophecies Concerning Tyre: Called: The Daughter of Tarshish