What is the “burden of Tyre” at the start of this passage?

The “burden of Tyre” is a prophetic message of judgment spoken against the city of Tyre. Tyre was a wealthy sea port, full of trade and joy, supplied by places like Zidon and Egypt and called a “mart of nations.” God announces that this proud and secure city will be laid waste, with no house and no one coming in. The word “burden” shows the weight and sorrow of this message. It is not advice but a warning that God Himself is about to bring Tyre down.

Why are the ships of Tarshish and the islands told to howl and be still?

The ships of Tarshish and the island people are told to howl and be still because Tyre’s fall ruins their trade and income. Their goods passed through Tyre’s ports, so when God lays Tyre waste, their business dries up. Crying and silence picture shock and grief. They are called to mourn because the city that once enriched them and kept them busy is now empty and quiet. This shows how closely other nations were tied to Tyre’s wealth, and how God’s judgment reaches far beyond one city.

Who are Zidon and the Chaldeans in this prophecy about Tyre?

Zidon was a nearby coastal city related to Tyre, even called its “daughter,” and its merchants helped fill Tyre with goods. So when Tyre falls, Zidon is told to be ashamed and to mourn, because its partner and offspring in trade has been ruined. The Chaldeans were a people raised up into a strong kingdom, used here as an example of God’s power over nations. They are mentioned as those who helped bring other great powers to ruin, showing that God can also use them to break proud Tyre and its strongholds.

What is meant by Tyre being forgotten for seventy years like one king’s days?

The seventy years picture a long, fixed time when Tyre would lose its former glory and be “forgotten.” Calling it “the days of one king” points to a full life span or a complete term of rule. During this period, Tyre’s busy trade and joy would be gone. After those years, the city is pictured as a forgotten harlot taking up a harp and walking the streets, trying to be noticed again. It shows that Tyre’s fall is serious and lasting, not just a brief setback, yet it also has a set limit in God’s plan.

Why is Tyre compared to a harlot singing with a harp after seventy years?

The picture of Tyre as a harlot with a harp shows the city trying to win back the nations after a long time of being forgotten. A harlot uses charm and songs to attract customers. In the same way, Tyre will again chase trade and profit with “all the kingdoms of the world.” The image is not about one person but about the city’s love of gain and its readiness to sell itself for wealth. It tells us that even after heavy judgment, Tyre will turn back to its old patterns of sinful commerce instead of turning from them.

How can Tyre’s fall and later restoration apply to believers today?

Tyre’s story warns us not to rest our hearts on money, success, or the praise of people. A city that seemed secure, ancient, and full of joy was brought low because of pride and sin. God can dry up any false security. At the same time, the end of the passage shows that God can still use what once served selfish gain. Tyre’s future trade is pictured as being set apart to the Lord, used to provide food and clothing for those who live before Him. Believers today are reminded to see all resources as belonging to God and meant for His service.

What does it mean that Tyre’s merchandise and hire will be holiness to the Lord?

At the end of the passage, Tyre’s “merchandise and her hire” are said to become “holiness to the Lord.” This means her wealth will no longer be stored up for selfish use, but will be set apart for God’s purposes. It will not be treasured or piled up; instead, it will supply those who dwell before the Lord with enough food and lasting clothing. The same trading city that once used its riches for sinful gain will one day see its goods turned toward caring for God’s people and honouring Him.

What does this prophecy show about God’s control over nations and history?

The prophecy shows that God rules over nations, cities, and trade. Tyre’s rise as a “mart of nations” and its sudden fall are both under His hand. He can call distant ships to mourn, shake kingdoms, and use strong empires like the Assyrians and Chaldeans to carry out His purpose. The question, “Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre?” is answered clearly: the Lord of hosts planned it. Even the length of Tyre’s desolation, seventy years, is set by Him. This teaches that no power is beyond His reach, and history moves according to His will.

Isa.23.1

Isaiah 23:1

Q: What does this passage teach about God’s view of human pride and wealth?

This passage shows that God sees and opposes human pride, especially when it is built on wealth and power. Tyre’s merchants were treated like princes, and its traders were called honourable, yet God’s purpose is “to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.” He can stretch out His hand over the sea, shake kingdoms, and destroy strongholds. Rich trade and old status cannot protect a city from Him. Wealth itself is not praised here; trusting in it and boasting in it brings judgment.

KJV

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.

The Burden against Tyre

1 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.

2 Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.

3 And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.

4 Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.

5 As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre.

6 Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.

7 Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn.

8 Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth?

9 The Lord of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.

10 Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength.

11 He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the Lord hath given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the strong holds thereof.

12 And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.

13 Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; and he brought it to ruin.

14 Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.

15 And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot.

16 Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.

17 ¶ And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the Lord will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.

18 And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the Lord: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the Lord, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.

Cross References

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