Keraia
Isaiah 23

Isaiah 23:2

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

Translations

Modern
Be silent, O dwellers of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon, whose traders have crossed the sea.
Traditional
Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.
Literal
Be still, O dwellers of the coastland, merchants of Sidon, whose traders have crossed the sea.
Latin
Tacete, qui habitatis in insula; negotiatores Sidonis, transfretantes mare, repleverunt te.

Original

Hebrew
English
Be silent, O dwellers of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon, whose traders have crossed the sea.

Notes

Isaiah 23:2

  • Sidon was a Phoenician port located to the north of Tyre.

  • Tyre’s commercial network of traders was extensive.

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

Sidon: Phoenician city; home of Jezebel

Glossary

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

Topics

Commerce: Zidonians Merchant: General Scriptures Concerning Sidon: A City on the Northern Boundary of the Canaanites: Commerce of Tarshish: Also Called Tharshish: Commerce and Wealth of Tarshish: Also Called Tharshish: Prophecies Concerning The Sidonians: Engaged in Extensive Commerce Tyre: Celebrated For: Its Commerce