Isaiah 23 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments
  • Isaiah 23:1 open_in_new

    Homeward-bound ships are greeted at Chittim (Cyprus) with the news that Tyre has fallen. Ships of Tarshish] Tarshish is probably Tartessus, in Spain; the expression denotes deep-sea ships.

  • Isaiah 23:1-18 open_in_new

    The Doom of Tyre

    Tyre was a great mercantile centre of the ancient world, and at the time of the Hebrew monarchy chief state of Phœnicia, the parent of many colonies, and mistress of the Mediterranean. It is uncertain what siege of Tyre is here referred to; but see on Isaiah 23:13.

    1-5. The news of the fall of Tyre is spread.

    6-9. Tyre must take refuge in her distant colonies, for her doom is purposed by Jehovah.

    10-14. But even her colonies will afford no refuge, for the power of Phœnicia will be altogether broken. The fate of Chaldea serves as a warning of coming desolation.

    15-18. After seventy years Tyre shall recover her commercial prosperity, but her gains shall be consecrated to Jehovah's service.

  • Isaiah 23:4 open_in_new

    Strength] stronghold, i.e Tyre. Saying, etc.] The once busy quays are deserted, and the prophet pictures the city as a bereaved mother mourning her children.

  • Isaiah 23:6 open_in_new

    Tarshish] Tartessus, in Spain. The Tyrians are bidden to seek refuge in their western colonies on the shores of the Mediterranean. Of these Phoenician colonies Carthage was the most famous.

  • Isaiah 23:8 open_in_new

    Taken this counsel] RV 'purposed this.' Crowning city] alluding to the many dependent kings in her colonies.

  • Isaiah 23:10 open_in_new

    A river] RV 'the Nile.' There.. strength] 'There is no girdle about thee any more.' The Tyrian colonies, released from all restraint, throw off allegiance.

  • Isaiah 23:12 open_in_new

    Oppressed] or 'defiled.' Tyre was no longer a virgin citadel. Pass over to Chittim] Flight to Cyprus would not secure safety from Assyria.

  • Isaiah 23:13 open_in_new

    This people, etc.] According to AV rendering, this v. describes the consolidation of the Chaldeans into a nation by the Assyrians. There is, however, no other record of this, and it is better to read, 'This people is no more; the Assyrian hath appointed it for the beasts of the wilderness' (i.e. made it desolate): 'they set up their towers' (siegetowers), 'they overthrew the palaces thereof; he made it a ruin' (RV). The fate of the Chaldeans at the hand of the Assyrians is quoted as a warning for Tyre. Babylon, the Chaldean capital, was taken by the Assyrians in 710 and 703 b.c. (see on Isaiah 21:1-10). The present. prophecy accordingly should be dated between' one or other of those years and Sennacherib's invasion of W. Asia (701).

  • Isaiah 23:15 open_in_new

    Seventy] perhaps a symbolic number for a long period. According to, etc.] i.e. without revolution or change.