Keraia
Isaiah 23

Isaiah 23:3

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

Translations

Modern
On the great waters came the grain of Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre; she was the merchant of the nations.
Traditional
And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.
Literal
And on great waters is the seed of Sihor; the harvest of the River is her revenue, and she is a marketplace of nations.
Latin
In aquis multis semen Nili; messis fluminis fruges ejus: et facta est negotiatio gentium.

Original

Hebrew
English
On the great waters came the grain of Shihor; the harvest of the Nile was the revenue of Tyre; she was the merchant of the nations.

Notes

Isaiah 23:3

  • People harvested fish, crops, flax, and linen along the Nile (see Isaiah 19).

  • Tyre was a global marketplace, similar to modern cities like New York, Hong Kong, or London.

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

Brook of Egypt: Southwestern boundary of the Promised Land Nile: The major river of Egypt, mentioned in various contexts

Glossary

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

Topics

Egypt: Called: Sihor Nile: Called Sihor Rivers: Useful For: Commerce Sihor: A River of Egypt, Given by some Authorities As the Nile River Tarshish: Also Called Tharshish: Commerce and Wealth of Tarshish: Also Called Tharshish: Prophecies Concerning the River Nile: The Egyptians: Carried on Extensive Commerce By Tyre: Celebrated For: Its Commerce