ScriptureDepth's study of Isaiah 23
“Yahweh of Armies has planned it, to stain the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.”
Isaiah 23:9
Yahweh declares judgment against Tyre, affecting its leaders and merchants, as the verse reveals His intent to humble 'the honorable of the earth'.
What Isaiah 23 is about
Tyre's destruction is announced, and the inhabitants of the coast are called to howl, as their stronghold is laid waste (vv. 1-2). Tyre was a significant player in trade, as it was sustained by the harvests of the Nile and was known as 'the market of nations' (vv. 3-5). The judgment comes from Yahweh, who plans to bring down the pride of all glory (vv. 6-9). The residents are called to mourn, for the virgin daughter of Sidon will no longer rejoice (vv. 10-12). A reminder of judgment appears as the text references the devastation of the Chaldeans, who set up towers and overthrew palaces (vv. 13-14). Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, after which it will be like a song of the prostitute (vv. 15-17). Her merchandise will be dedicated to Yahweh and will not be stored up, but shared among those before Him (v. 18).
Tyre's eventual restoration brings a promise that its goods will be made holy to Yahweh.
Isaiah 23 at a glance
- Isaiah 23:1–2Destruction Announced for Tyre
- Isaiah 23:3–5Tyre's Economic Impact
- Isaiah 23:6–9The Cause of Judgment
- Isaiah 23:10–12Call to Mourn
- Isaiah 23:13–14A Reminder of Judgment
- Isaiah 23:15–17A Glimpse of Restoration
- Isaiah 23:18Holiness of Her Merchandise
Key verse: Isaiah 23:9
One thing to notice
Verses 15-17 provide a time frame for Tyre's future restoration after seventy years. This period contrasts with earlier expressions of judgment and mourning, as Tyre will be forgotten and then recalled as a 'prostitute' singing to be remembered.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Isaiah 23 (WEB)
Destruction Announced for Tyre Isaiah 23:1–2
1Verse 1. The burden of Tyre. Howl, you ships of Tarshish! For it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in. From the land of Kittim it is revealed to them. 2Verse 2. Be still, you inhabitants of the coast, you whom the merchants of Sidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.
Tyre's Economic Impact Isaiah 23:3–5
3Verse 3. On great waters, the seed of the Shihor, the harvest of the Nile, was her revenue. She was the market of nations. 4Verse 4. Be ashamed, Sidon; for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of the sea, saying, “I have not travailed, nor given birth, neither have I nourished young men, nor brought up virgins.” 5Verse 5. When the report comes to Egypt, they will be in anguish at the report of Tyre.
The Cause of Judgment Isaiah 23:6–9
6Verse 6. Pass over to Tarshish! Wail, you inhabitants of the coast! 7Verse 7. Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days, whose feet carried her far away to travel? 8Verse 8. Who has planned this against Tyre, the giver of crowns, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are the honorable of the earth? 9Verse 9. Yahweh of Armies has planned it, to stain the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.
Call to Mourn Isaiah 23:10–12
10Verse 10. Pass through your land like the Nile, daughter of Tarshish. There is no restraint any more. 11Verse 11. He has stretched out his hand over the sea. He has shaken the kingdoms. Yahweh has ordered the destruction of Canaan’s strongholds. 12Verse 12. He said, “You shall rejoice no more, you oppressed virgin daughter of Sidon. Arise, pass over to Kittim. Even there you will have no rest.”
A Reminder of Judgment Isaiah 23:13–14
13Verse 13. Behold, the land of the Chaldeans. This people was not. The Assyrians founded it for those who dwell in the wilderness. They set up their towers. They overthrew its palaces. They made it a ruin. 14Verse 14. Howl, you ships of Tarshish, for your stronghold is laid waste!
A Glimpse of Restoration Isaiah 23:15–17
15Verse 15. It will come to pass in that day that Tyre will be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king. After the end of seventy years it will be to Tyre like in the song of the prostitute. 16Verse 16. Take a harp; go about the city, you prostitute that has been forgotten. Make sweet melody. Sing many songs, that you may be remembered. 17Verse 17. It will happen after the end of seventy years that Yahweh will visit Tyre, and she shall return to her wages, and will play the prostitute with all the kingdoms of the world on the surface of the earth.
Holiness of Her Merchandise Isaiah 23:18
18Verse 18. Her merchandise and her wages will be holiness to Yahweh. It will not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise will be for those who dwell before Yahweh, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Isaiah 23
Judgment of Nations
This chapter announces the judgment against Tyre, a significant trading city. In verse 1, the ships of Tarshish are called to howl due to Tyre's desolation, indicating the extensive effects of its downfall on global trade. Verse 11 states that 'Yahweh has ordered the destruction of Canaan’s strongholds,' pointing to the implications of Tyre's judgment for surrounding nations. This serves as a warning regarding the consequences of pride among nations.
Pride and Humility
Tyre's pride is confronted in verse 9, stating that 'Yahweh of Armies has planned it, to stain the pride of all glory.' This points to the arrogance of Tyre and its merchants, who were once regarded as powerful figures. The chapter transitions from Tyre's self-assuredness to its forthcoming humiliation, as verse 4 calls for Sidon to feel shame. This movement from pride to judgment illustrates the perils of self-exaltation.
Divine Sovereignty
The sovereignty of God over nations is a central theme in this chapter. Verse 9 begins with 'Yahweh of Armies has planned it,' asserting His authority in the destruction of Tyre. This theme continues throughout the chapter, as God orchestrates the downfall of Tyre and its allies, including Sidon and the Chaldeans, who are mentioned in verses 12-13. The text demonstrates that ultimate control rests with Yahweh, who executes His will among the nations.
Restoration
The chapter ends with a note on the eventual restoration of Tyre after a period of judgment. In verse 17, it states that 'Yahweh will visit Tyre, and she shall return to her wages,' indicating a future return to prosperity. However, Tyre's restoration is characterized by a change, as her merchandise will be 'for those who dwell before Yahweh' in verse 18. This suggests that Tyre's future is to serve a higher purpose under God's authority.
Chapter outline
How Isaiah 23 unfolds
Isaiah 23:1–2 Destruction Announced for Tyre
A burden against Tyre announces its destruction, calling 'you ships of Tarshish' to 'howl' as Tyre is 'laid waste' with 'no house, no entering in' (vv. 1-2).
Isaiah 23:3–5 Tyre's Economic Impact
Tyre's economic impact is highlighted through its wealth from 'the seed of the Shihor' and 'the harvest of the Nile' while Sidon is called to 'be ashamed' as the sea laments Tyre's loss (vv. 3-5).
Isaiah 23:6–9 The Cause of Judgment
The reason for Tyre's forthcoming judgment is attributed to the plans of Yahweh, who intends to humble the pride of the city and its merchants (vv. 6-9). The announcement of impending ruin raises a wail among coastal inhabitants.
Isaiah 23:10–12 Call to Mourn
A call to mourn is issued to Sidon, as it is warned that joy has ended (vv. 10-12). This emphasizes the urgency of the situation, as Tyre's downfall will affect the surrounding areas.
Isaiah 23:13–14 A Reminder of Judgment
A reminder of past judgments is given by referencing the Chaldeans, who have previously laid waste to lands and cultures (vv. 13-14). This historical context illustrates the certainty of Tyre's destruction.
Isaiah 23:15–17 A Glimpse of Restoration
Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, and upon remembrance, is called to 'make sweet melody' and 'sing many songs' as she returns to her 'wages' and resumes trade with nations (vv. 15-17).
Isaiah 23:18 Holiness of Her Merchandise
The final verse states that Tyre's 'merchandise and her wages will be holiness to Yahweh,' designated for those who dwell before Him to 'eat sufficiently' and wear 'durable clothing' (v. 18).
Key verses
Isaiah 23:9Yahweh declares judgment against Tyre, affecting its leaders and merchants, as the verse reveals His intent to humble 'the honorable of the earth'.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Isaiah 23
- observeIn v1, what is the response called for from the 'ships of Tarshish'?
- observeWhat does the sea say about Sidon in v4, specifically regarding 'young men' and 'virgins'?
- interpretYahweh's plan in v9: how does it aim to 'stain the pride of all glory'?
- interpretThe report in v5 causes 'anguish' in Egypt: what does this suggest about Tyre's influence on other nations?
- applyWhen have you seen a place or person's 'pride' humbled like Tyre in v9?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Isaiah 23
- Ezekiel 27Isaiah 23:17 and Ezekiel 27:6Both describe Tyre's wealth: Isaiah 23:17 says, 'she shall return to her wages', while Ezekiel 27:6 mentions 'your oars of the oaks of Bashan'.
- Ezekiel 26Isaiah 23:1 and Ezekiel 26:2Both proclaim Tyre's ruin: Isaiah 23:1 states, 'it is laid waste', while Ezekiel 26:2 declares, 'I will be replenished, now that she is laid waste'.
- Revelation 18Isaiah 23:8 and Revelation 18:23Both lament Tyre's fall: Isaiah 23:8 addresses 'the giver of crowns', while Revelation 18:23 mentions 'your merchants were princes'.
- Deuteronomy 16Isaiah 23:18 and Deuteronomy 16:16Both involve offerings: Isaiah 23:18 mentions 'merchandise and her wages will be holiness', while Deuteronomy 16:16 instructs not to appear before Yahweh empty.
- Ezekiel 28Isaiah 23:16 and Ezekiel 28:13Both evoke beauty: Isaiah 23:16 calls to 'take a harp', while Ezekiel 28:13 describes 'every precious stone adorned you'.
- Genesis 10Isaiah 23:1 and Genesis 10:4Both mention Tarshish: Isaiah 23:1 laments, 'howl, you ships of Tarshish', while Genesis 10:4 lists Tarshish as a descendant.
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